BMW i3 - TopCarNews

BMW i3 (2013 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The BMW i3 is a small urban electric car, and was BMW’s first fully-electric vehicle when it was launched back in 2013. It received a substantial mid-life update in 2017.

The i3 was one of the pioneers of the electric car movement, and there is still nothing really directly comparable to it on the market. It boasts clever construction methods and lightweight body panels, developed to offset the significant weight of its batteries. Even eight years after it was launched, it is still a more innovative and futuristic vehicle than most other cars on the market – at any price.

However, the last eight years has seen EV technology evolving rapidly, and newer rivals are able to combine more space and better battery range in more conventionally designed vehicles at lower prices. As an indication of how rapid this evolution has been, What Car? magazine awarded the BMW with ‘Best Electric Car’ in its price range in 2017, while in 2021 it now carries a lowly two-star rating – the equal-lowest score that the magazine has given to any of the 230+ cars we have analysed to date in our Expert Rating index.

As it approaches the end of its production life, BMW is not expected to replace the i3 with a direct successor and is likely to shift towards electric versions of its regular model range.

As of December 2021, the BMW i3 holds an Expert Rating of 74%, based on 32 reviews published by UK media sources.

Key specifications

Body style: Small five-door hatchMotor: electric, battery-poweredPrice: From £36,575 on-road*
* price includes £3,000 government plug-in car grant

Launched: Autumn 2013Last updated: Autumn 2018
Replacement due: N/A

Image gallery

BMW i3 and i3s (2017 onwards)

BMW i3s (2017 onwards)

BMW i3 (2013 – 2017)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 is innovative, stylish and good to drive – delivering a premium small electric car with plenty of road presence.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 120AhScore: 8 / 10“More range can only be a good thing when it comes to EVs, and the BMW i3 is still relatively affordable for a premium electric car. New owners will benefit from more flexibility, but they’ll also be dogged by the same flaws – namely the poor ride and the lack of standard safety and connectivity tech.”
Read review

Model reviewed: i3s range extenderScore: 7 / 10“It’s impressive for BMW to give the i3 more performance without cutting the range at the same time, and to sharpen the way it drives. However, the standard car is hardly a slouch and is pretty good to drive, so we struggle to see how the BMW i3s is worth the considerable extra money.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“An early electric pioneer, the BMW i3 remains a distinctive and stylish offering despite new rivals appearing in the EV market. An improved battery pack and increased range meaning the earlier range-extender version is now redundant, and the i3 is now a pure electric vehicle.”
Read review

Autocar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 remains a superb mode of city transportation, a near-perfect second car and the best of its breed as a driver’s car. But in the face of challenges from newer rivals, the i3 is an enduringly bold and likeable, but no longer outstanding, electric hatchback.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 94AhScore: 9 / 10“Putting the engineering brilliance of Tesla to one side, the BMW i3 is arguably the best electric car currently on the market, and these latest updates find solutions to almost all the obstacles stopping fleets from investing in the technology.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“It is still a £25k city car with only four seats and a tiny boot, but the BMW i3 range is far more appealing than any EV we’ve driven.”
Read review

Model reviewed: i3 S range extenderScore: 8 / 10“If you want the fastest, most fun BMW i3, this is it – but its greatest strengths (an attractive, innovative interior, show-stopping exterior styling and enough space for everyday most driving scenarios around town with the capacity for longer trips possible) are shared with the regular i3.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 94AhScore: 8 / 10“The appeal of the BMW i3 is only strengthened with its new battery pack fitted. It retains the eye-catching design, spacious interior and engaging driving experience we’ve praised previously, but now you can enjoy it for longer between charges.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“While there are certain areas where the i3 might be showing its age, that can’t detract from the brilliance of this BMW. Given it was years ahead of the competition in many respects, it continues to build a strong case for itself in the electric hatchback market.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.8 / 10“The BMW i3 is great fun and nippy around town but it’s expensive and those striking looks won’t appeal to everyone.”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 is a small electric car with a funky interior and a decent range between charges. Sadly, it’s expensive and other small electric cars are more comfortable.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: i3s range extender“The new BMW i3s is the sportiest of mainstream plug-in vehicles and goes and handles very nicely, though it’s far from cheap. The looks are still divisive and the ride quality suffers due to that sportiness.”
Read review

Model reviewed: i3s (pure electric version)“The BMW i3s’s zippy performance and fine handling impress, but it’s a shame the range doesn’t let you enjoy it for longer.”
Read review

Daily Mail

Model reviewed: i3S“Priced at £37,000, the BMW i3S is unquestionably a premium product considering its modest size, though it’s hard to argue that it is one of the best low-emissions models on the market to date.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The BMW i3 was one of the first electric cars to make everyday drivers sit up and take notice, with its cool style, good handling and practical range.”
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.5 / 10“BMW’s first electric car, the quirky i3, has been around since 2013. But even now it feels like a car from the future.”
Read review

Eurekar

Model reviewed: i3 range extender“The BMW i3 handles well with beautifully responsive steering. Wind and road noise are largely absent. The only drawback is the harsh suspension. The car literally clatters over lesser road surfaces, making it uncomfortable at times.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 is a genuinely impressive take on the electric city car.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: i3 SScore: 10 / 10“If you’re looking for an EV in this class that will also offer a rewarding driving experience for the duration of ownership, then the BMW i3s doesn’t really have any competition at this time – and that’s why BMW believes it can charge a premium for the i3s.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 94Ah range extenderScore: 10 / 10“The BMW i3 looks great, it’s rewarding to drive, and it’s an electric car with a solution to range anxiety.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“If any car could convince you that EVs are a good idea, the BMW i3 is it. It has sufficient charm and appeal to make you want one regardless of the engine under the bonnet, yet delivers all the big EV plus points too.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“What the BMW i3 manages to achieve is impressive, ticking all the boxes you expect from an electric car – acceptable range, zero emissions and an environmental mindset thanks to its recycled material content.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 remains one of the most stylish and image-friendly EVs, with driving dynamics that are almost unheard of in the sector.”
Read review

Motors.co.uk

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The BMW i3 can’t be called cheap. It costs considerably more than many of its rivals including the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Volkswagen e-Golf. Opt for a second hand one, however, and the i3 makes for a used car bargain.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“A brilliant small electric car with a modern twist.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: i3S“The key words here are responsible, renewable or recycled resources. Add rather expensive to that list and that’s the BMW i3. It’s a statement car — a very cool, feel-good statement car — but it starts at £30k.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“A high watermark for premium electric motoring.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 94AhScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 is one of the most advanced battery vehicles on sale, designed with elan and with all BMW’s handling prowess, if not its ride quality. Still needs more range (and bigger rear seats) and this battery-swap business is plain confusing, but this is as good at it gets if you drive with a battery.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The BMW i3 remains the best premium small EV out there. Just be prepared to pay proper money.”
Read review

What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4 / 10“Similarly priced mainstream rivals, such as the Kia e-Niro, offer similar performance and much longer ranges between charges. Practicality is another serious weakness of the BMW i3, all of which means that, objectively, there are better electric cars available for the money.
Read review

Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The BMW i3 is a credible electric car, especially the latest models with their more respectable driving range. The i3 is easy and fun to drive, spacious up front and it has the signature BMW premium feel to it. It isn’t perfect, though, with a small boot and a compromised ride on bumpy roads.”
Read review

Safety rating

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: November 2013

86%

ADULT OCCUPANT

81%

CHILD OCCUPANT

57%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

55%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Model tested: i3 4×2
Date tested: February 2019

10 / 10

CLEAN AIR INDEX

8.5 / 10

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX

Read full Green NCAP review

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW i3 has received

2017

World Car Awards – World Urban Car
What Car? Awards – Best Electric Car, £20K – £40K
Auto Express Awards – Best Electric Car

2014

UK Car of the Year
World Car Awards – Best Green Car + Best Car Design

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the BMW i3, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The rapidly expanding electric car market is changing almost monthly, but is still relatively small compared to the number of petrol and diesel models available. That means that there are fewer direct competitors but a variety of different cars for a given price point. Of the cars listed above, few are genuinely similar to the BMW i3 in terms of size and specification, but all are trying to fill a similar role for urban driving.

Buy or lease a BMW i3

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new or used Up, The Car Expert’s partners have thousands of cars to choose from

Buy a car online from your sofa.
We’ll deliver it.

We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.

The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place.

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing.

Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing.

We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Keyword: BMW i3