BMW i3 Review: The future of small cars?

The i3 has been a very successful entry into the electric vehicle market, and since it first launched in 2013, BMW hasn't been resting on its laurels.

In 2016, the original 60Ah version was given a jolt with a 94Ah variant that boosted its all-electric operating range to over 200 miles. A year later, BMW refreshed the styling and added the nippier i3s.

Then in late 2018, BMW introduced a beefy 120Ah battery that improved range by up to 30%. There's still the option on all models to add a small range-extender petrol engine to boost overall range, but whilst that alleviates some of the range anxiety, it feels like a contradiction in terms as the BMW i3 makes the most sense as a pure electric vehicle.

There are many small battery-electric vehicles on the market, but none hit the practicality/prestige sweet spot quite like the BMW i3 does. Is this the future of small cars? It may very well be.

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀

[simonreeves]

I'm very happy with my i3 (2019 120Ah), I kept the options list short - sun protection glass and the uprated sound system. Shopping around got me this (in mineral grey, also extra!) for a tad over £30k. Running costs are so low, from £230 per month on petrol to about £15 a month on electricity (charging at home on Octopus Go), which makes the cost of ownership much lower than I had expected. It's not perfect, the ride is too hard for my taste, but overall I would say it's the best car I've ever owned. Just to correct you, like all current EVs, there are no selectable gears - the motor is directly connected to the rear wheels via a trans axel, which provides a fixed reduction ratio and differential - reverse is achieved electronically by rotating the motor in the opposite direction. This simplicity is one of the many reasons an EV requires almost no maintenance and should last 500k miles (batteries permitting). No clutch, no alternator, no drive belts or cam belts, no fuel injection, no exhaust system, no engine, so therefore no engine oil to change or leak on your drive. Electric is definitely the future, no more combustion cars for me.

[buzzofftoxicblog]

Best small electric car on Earth 🌍😃 Our first 33kw all electric i3 2018 then our second i3S 42kw. I tryed other evs Id3 good car bit big for us and not as fun tryed few others we got our second i3. Brilliant 👏 BMW i3

[keyadventure]

I own a i3 REX from 2014. One of the best cars I have ever had, and happy about the extender that helps to reach family at the other end of the country (Denmark), but it is only used rarely. Range is almost as when it was new, suppose less than 5% degraded. Maintainance cost is almost zero. Awesome cars.

[danscar]

The BMW i3 is the most technological innovative and sustainable car available. I know tesla and many other electric cars are out there and great- but they’re similar to the main stream Internal combustion engines cars. Extra range is great, but with the majority of drivers driving 80-90% of their commutes in cities the i3 is the car to have. Excellent review, very in-depth and I didn’t think I was going to see through the 59 minutes of i3 video.

[mmetti]

I looked up the average daily driving range in the US and it comes out to 29 miles a day. The BMW and all other electric vehicle can easily accomplish that and much more. It is funny how range seems to be the biggest question when it comes to EVs. I have my second i3 which I purchased from a Mercedes Benz dealership (it was a trade in), it was 158 miles from my house. I have the range extender option and made the trip easily with 70 miles remaining. But honestly, I probably only drive the average at best and have never felt the range anxiety people on line often are concerned with. There are many videos on YouTube with people taking long trips. The i3 is the most enjoyable car to drive and has so many features, both obvious and hidden.

[richardpiper]

Absolutely great review and probably the most comprehensive and fair review of the i3 I have ever watched. I do however have to declare an interest as I too have a 94ah i3s which despite being a confirmed petrolhead I think is the best car I have ever owned. Previously I ran BMW 3 Series company cars, Porsche 911 (997) as a fun weekend car and a series of Golf GTi and MINI Cooper S ‘s when I opted out of company car scheme. Only test drove an i3 out of curiosity whilst waiting for a quick service on my last MINI. Loved intelligent design, instant acceleration and build quality. Missed the go kart handling on my first 60ah i3 but current i3s is so much better albeit the ride is fairly firm - but certainly no worse than on the MINI run flats. Such as easy car to drive (wonderful steering and terrific turning circle) and so so refined. Rapid charging infrastructure still not great - and under pressure with the popularity of EVs and the introduction of new large battery EVs such as the I-Pace which can hog chargers so on balance am happier with the 94ah REx than the current 120 ah (160 mile range) BEV. Yes, the car is expensive but it is a real premium built car - better IMHO than the latest 3 Series - but residuals are rising and now comparable to most BMW ICE vehicles. Sales and of the i3 have risen continually through the i3’s 6 year life - and production now at maximum 3 shift capacity - which speaks for its timeless (albeit slightly controversial) design and endearing and still very relevant appeal. Although BMW have said they will not be producing a direct replacement the i3 has been given a stay of execution, beyond the planned 7 year life cycle, until 2024 and will get a further battery upgrade and system refresh which should extend the pure electric range to a WLTP figure of 200 miles.

[egilandersen]

No battery under the boot flor as he sed, there is the Electric motor and the Rex extender. The battery is under floor in the cabin

[whyyoulidl]

The quality and professionalism of this presenter's review is exemplary; I swear he could sell me just about anything ;-)

[mtumasz]

Signed a 4yr lease on a 94Ah 2018 i3 Lodge last week. Picking it up from the dealer as soon as they wrap the ugliest paint on the planet (sth grey) up👍 so happy to be getting this marvel of engineering and the hyggest🇩🇰 interior ever. Everybody who ever compares an i3 to a Kona has clearly never been to Dennark. Pls b excellent 2 each other and party on🌈

[Jnny]

I've been driving an i3s, it's our company pool car. I've worked in the EV charging industry since 2012 as a professional electrical engineer and Project Manager. It has massively exceeded my expectations apart from it's looks. My wife think's it looks classy, but I think it looks weird. My current car is an Audi E-tron and my previous one was a BMW 330E. The i3s goes like stink when you want it too, I'm a big bloke and love the seats and the handling is good also. I also like the one pedal driving which means you hardly ever need to use the brakes. The range is dependant on how you drive it of course. It always seems to start with 177 mile range from a full charge but 120 miles is probably more realistic. £35k, would I buy one, no way. I might rent one or lease one though.

[anhiirr]

the 30k range of used i3 a few bucks more and its 1 owner/leased returned cars...with <20k miles on them. The second i drove one...i was sold. At that price point/departrue from its BRAND New price...im getting a lot of "CAR" compared to a 30, 000$ economy petrol car. Given ill be driving 100-200miles daily in my REX easily through uber/uber eats. ITS exemplary how ENJOYABLE those MILES truly are to drive/enjoy. Having driven as a profession upwards of 200mi daily+....prior with an elantra....The sensation/fun of driving an i3 will REALLY be encouraging to DRIVE as a profession. Compared to a LEAF....or longer range hyundai kona which costs around 40, 000$ by comparison new(back ordered) or slightly used....Given the CPO coverage of unlimited miles...i cant wait to be spending this Summer season on the road diving deep into my playlists. That HOLD Charge aspect with REX is a HUGE dealmaker for me being able to manage/choose an IDEAL charging station/schedule. Or not have to wait till im near empty charge to engage in a DC charge station....i could simply use hold charge and get by off 30-50% charge left DC charges to lower my total charge time. The 34MPG range if i can flash the REX to use all 2.3/2.4 gallons equates to much more range than the RATED 50mi in the USDM...granted SAID flash enables me to keep my coverage/warranty intact.

[bobble]

lets be honest I would rather a bmw than a Renault any day of the week

[loonymoon]

I have an 2018 94Ah I3S Rex and I love it. However they do not sell the REX variant in the newer models in the UK any more. the 120AH version is BEV only not rex in the UK.

[jordanbeagle]

Probably my favourite car reviewer. Deserving of far more views!

[martinbuchanan]

Great and very informative video, excellent work as usual.

[Alan_UK]

Well produced review but I sense this is an old review somewhat updated. It refers to the REX option but in the UK at least the REX was no longer available as the 2019 model now has a bigger battery. Again, the review refers to the 33kWh battery (e.g. at 46:20) but the 2019 model now only has a 42.2 kWh battery with a WLTP figures of 192-mile range.

Whether the i3 can complete with the VW ID.3 is to be seen. I think many will go for range over premium status. Maybe BMW will have a final battery boost before they discontinue the i3 in 2024. I suspect the successor will not have the carbon fibre / aluminium construction.

Still, I'm tempted to get a 1 year old 2019 42.2kWh/120Ah model as I feel the i3 is a like-minded successor to my Audi A2 (aluminium and ahead of it's time and sold in low numbers due to cost, but at 16 years old my A2 looks like new. I suspect the i3 will also look good in 16 years but the batteries maybe another matter. Maybe there will be a after market battery replacement by then).

[simonreeves]

34:00: 'the standard automatic transmission' - no, EVs do not have gears, the i3 has a fixed speed drive train, the motor drives a reduction gear and differential. EVs do not have gears!

[thumper]

Excellent review, thorough, engaging and entertaining. I’ve loved the i3 since it came out and thought at the time that I’d get one years later. This has helped rationalise the decision making. Rex does appear to fly in the face of the environmental credentials, but for a couple like using it for commuting 6 miles five days a week and around the area at weekends, the REX will only be considered on journeys to Cornwall. The crucial bit is charging time between 20% and 80% and by my reckoning, that mean a 200 mile trip to Padstow will require two 40 minute stops, which we would have done anyway. Thanks for the professional presentation. G

[jeanmarie]

A future collective car, because an extraordinary design and unique characteristics. Carbon fiber, aluminium and plastic body panels, no rust so far 🥰

[rogerhudson]

I thought BMW were in the forefront of EV motoring when they released the i3 (and i8) but since then they have lost the plot, the new iX3 seems to revert to all the old design elements of the petrol cars. Was there a boardroom coup?