BMW i3 is 10 years old but still cuts the mustard with the competition: BMW i3S Review & Road Test

The BMW i3 & the i3S are both well worth considering if you’re looking for an electric car that’s easy to drive around town, has a stylish interior and delivers on the functional and practical side.
Entry level i3's get BMW’s brilliant iDrive with a high-resolution 10-inch infotainment screen, auto sensing rain wipers, led headlights and rear lights plus power folding mirrors and cruise control as well as sat nav as standard, but unfortunately, BMW’s wooden dashboard with leather seats aren’t – they’re only available as part of BMW’s optional Loft, Lodge and Suite interior trim packages.
But even without one of these upgraded packs, the i3’s cabin still looks plush and there’s plenty of space for you to get comfortable, no matter how tall or short you are. If you want the 20'' Rims like the car we tested, they come as part of the i3S Pro Pack which also includes a Harman Kardon sound system and sun reflective glass for £950. Adaptive LED headlights are also available as an extra for £790.
Space in the back isn’t quite as generous as up front, however, there’s still enough room for kids to stretch out and the i3’s special rear-hinged back doors mean it’s easy to lift in a bulky child seat.
The BMW i3S comes as standard with a 42KWH battery and a 135KW electric motor that drives the rear wheels developing around 185bhp with a 0-62mph time of just under 6.9 seconds.
BMW claims this battery electric motor combination will give you a range of between 170-190 miles between charges, but in real-world conditions, you can expect it to manage closer to 140-160 miles providing you drive in the Eco Plus mode. Charging on a 50KWH rapid charger will take just 42 minutes and a standard 7KWH home charger will take around five hours. On the road its wise to invest in BMW's auxillary cabin heater for £530 extra as this will save 30% battery power when using the aircon or the heater. Reverse camera is more of a luxury than a necessity as the car is quite small and easy to park, however, if you feel the need for one it will set you back an extra £360. Front and rear parking sensors are a necessity in my opinion and will cost an extra £170, however, I think they should be included as standard kit on the i3S.

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[juiliopi]

I own the last version, a I3S from December 2020. This car is a jewel. So compact outside and huge and practucal inside. I use it daily with city, autobahn. This is fast, fast and fast in the city. Basically no one can compete.

[pilotandthecity]

Great Review! I used to have an i3, late 2018 model and sold it for a VW ID4 first edition. After a few months I realised that I loved the I3 more then I realised before. Last month I bought an 2020 I3S. Full options and ... I love it to drive one again. It'll never leave me again. Range is not the best, but this car is one of a kind. Nothing like this. The fun of driving it, is incomparable with the ID4. Apparently the fun is really outside the comfort zone;)

I would always advise to get one with a heat pump and... "moonroof " The car can get easily damp at the inside. With a little opened roof, it's gone in a minute.... and, .. it makes the car very light, even with the luxury dark interior. Great car, and a future classic! Thanks for the positive, honest review!

[michaeldawson]

Best 2nd hand buy in 2023 ! Get one while you can. There just brill.

[Muushondje]

Superb review A.J. ! The I3 is an instant classic.

[rpvitiello]

It sucks BMW killed this car off instead of redesigning it. A second gen i3 hatch could have been awesome.

[jeffgriffith]

Bought the 2nd one in Canada. Still driving it today. Love it.

[andders]

the safest way to park is to back in, therefore the charge port are in the rigth place. if you fold the seats forward its easier to get in to the back seat.

[gregp.]

Just bought a 2019 i3 42kW, my first EV, and love it! Not a REX, didn’t want a Rex.

[TheophilusPWildbeest]

I've got a two year old i3s (same colour as the one in the video), putting it in eco mode does tone down the aggressive throttle response but it also tones down the heater, which is bad news in our recent cold weather, so I put it back into comfort mode.

[CarlosChaconCR]

Great video AJ! Thanks for sharing. I do believe the i3 is one of the best used car you can get. Nimble, fast, minimum maintenance, and still have a great looking in 2023 😉

[michaelis]

Very interesting. I had a few time ago a I3 with Leather and Sunroof in electric blue. Now i want a I3 S. So i watched your video, It was really good. Thank you! Best wishes from Austria!

[richardpiper]

Rear parking sensors come as standard the £170 option is for additional front sensors. Initially the front sensors were bundled with the rear view camera and the Park Assist function but after the midlife update the camera and front sensors were able to be ordered separately. With my second i3 I just went for the rear view camera as the front sensors are IMHO unnecessary and the bleeping an annoyance. Park Assist also unnecessary.

[roypallister]

The front seats fold forwards if you use the handle near the head rest. It gives you lots more room, you made it look really difficult to get in the back!

[bonniedrasco]

Like your style AJ, I think you’re an absolute great motoring journalist, stumbled across your channel as I was looking for reviews on the i3s and I’m very impressed, very honest, cool and natural presentation! 💯% fully subscribed and looking forward to going through your archives and all your future content and will definitely share with my petrolhead mates 👍🏽

[philipp]

Why does no one reviewing this car show that the front seat fold for getting in ... don't spec the sunroof, you are giving up the carbon fiber roof for that, not worth it. The real cost benefit of electical cars is lack of maintainance.

[gildardo]

Two minute intro? What in the YouTubes?

[loonymoon]

Ooh I have an i3S - one of the last special editions, currently nearing the end of it's PCP and i'm going to pay the balloon as it's a truely brilliant little car and though there's lots of other EV's out there, there still isnt' anythign quite like it - but I guess that's because there never ever will be lol!

[whocares]

the bmw i3s is not ten years old, why did bmw discontinue this especially the more popular REX...

[ckspark]

I also have the I3 and love it, but please don`t suggest that it will save you on running cost, not anymore it isn`t. At 3.6m/kwh at the standard electricity rate of 0.34p/kw it is equivalent to a petrol car doing 71MPG and if you have to rely on rapid charging at 0.65p/kw then its equivalent to petrol car only doing 37MPG. Yes, as you mentioned, you can get a tariff that allows a slightly cheaper rate for around 4 hours in the night but then the tariff for the rest of day is much more expensive. Also don`t mention the fact that the range drops by 20% as soon as you put the cabin heater on. The I3 is one most economical EVs and it only just breaks even, people are deluded if they think they are going to save money with an EV.

[FATBOTBlife]

how much maintenance can one expect. it is a BMW, is it expensive for maintenance? Has it ever left you stranding because of no start or electrical issues?