2019 BMW i3

Overview

Few things this side of a supercar draw as many eyes in traffic as the BMW i3. Its cheeky, futuristic styling rides upon a high-tech platform that is equal parts carbon fiber and battery-fed electric propulsion. Tidy dimensions make zipping through congested city traffic easy, and the i3 leaves nothing in its wake except slack jaws. Unfortunately, the base i3 and the slightly sportier i3s only offer up to 153 miles of combined EPA-rated driving range, far less than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Tesla Model 3. The BMW can be had with a two-cylinder range-extending gasoline engine, something neither the Chevy nor the Tesla offer, but if you're not married to the i3's neat styling and cool interior, the lower-priced Bolt EV makes a lot more sense.

What's New for 2019

BMW has endowed the 2019 i3 models with a larger capacity battery that extends the maximum driving range to 153 miles per charge. Elsewhere, the standard navigation system gets a software upgrade, LED headlights with cornering lamps and automatic high-beams become optional, as does a Wi-Fi hotspot and a wireless smartphone charging tray.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Because of the i3's city-car nature, we'd pick the electric-only model and equip it with the Giga World package, which adds eucalyptus wood trim, leather-and-wool seating surfaces, and 19-inch wheels. To that we'd pay extra for some standalone options such as the Parking Assistant self-parking feature and the 16-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system.

Powertrain, Charging, and Performance

Likes: Whisper-quiet EV motoring, zippy acceleration, light steering effort.
Dislikes: Slow charging on a 120-volt connection, steering lacks communication from the road, only hints at classic BMW athleticism.

Electric vehicles might seem complicated and overloaded with technology, but one of their advantages is the functional simplicity of the EV powertrain. With its one-speed direct-drive transmission, the i3 pulls hard, smoothly, and in a linear fashion, all while staying completely silent. No fake engine noises here. It's a relatively quick ride, too. In our testing the i3 delivered a 6.6-second run from zero to 60 mph and the slightly sportier i3s model managed a 6.3-second result.

The i3's ride is in line with its premium pedigree and serene interior. The experience is one of isolation, with no buzzing, no untoward vibrations, and no sound, at least until the optional range-extending model with its gas-powered engine fires up. The i3's suspension dispenses with cracks, bumps, and expansion strips in the pavement with ease, to the point where it feels too isolated from the road. The light and numb steering, which offers no feedback about the terrain, doesn't help.

Range and Real-World MPGe

Rated at 153 miles of all-electric driving range, the i3's 42.2-kWh battery pack pales in comparison with the Bolt EV's 60.0-kWh battery and its EPA rating of 238 miles. The i3's optional gasoline-fueled range-extending generator fires up when the battery falls to a 5 percent state of charge. We haven't yet tested the i3 with its new, larger battery, but last year's i3s model delivered 80 of its promised 93 miles of range and the 2017 i3 powered on for 114 miles before needing to be recharged. We saw 89 MPGe in our testing, falling short of the EPA’s rating of 99 MPGe.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Modern interior styling, plenty of small-item storage throughout the cabin, simple rotary-knob infotainment controller.
Dislikes: Cramped back seat, no fold-flat front-passenger seat, Android Auto not offered at all.

The i3 has the exterior dimensions of a subcompact city car, making it perfect for darting through traffic and shape-shifting into minuscule parking spots—but rear-seat passengers suffer as a result of the small size. The interior is beautifully crafted with intriguing recyclable materials and the cabin has an open, airy appeal—but those who spend any time in the cramped rear seat will not be as happy as those riding up front.

While many electric and hybrid vehicles opt for massive screens with touch functionality and an overabundance of information, the i3 takes a much simpler approach. All i3 models come with BMW's iDrive 6 infotainment interface. Apple CarPlay is standard—although it requires an annual subscription after the first year—but Android Auto isn't offered. The car also lacks power points, as there's only one USB charger in the front center console and none in the rear.

The i3 has the utility of a typical small hatchback—with a twist. The rear side doors are hinged at the rear, so they open opposite the front doors. There is no pillar separating the front and rear doors, which creates a large, open space that facilitates entry (and cargo placement) in the back. The rear seats fold easily using a strap on the inside of the car, and we fit 14 of our carry-on suitcases inside with the seats lowered.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although the i3 made its debut back in 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to test it. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did, however, and the results were not outstanding. The i3 failed to achieve a Good rating for head restraints and seats—a rarity for a modern small vehicle—and this prevented the car from achieving the Top Safety Pick status earned by the Bolt EV. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available forward-collision warning
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The i3's hybrid-component warranty falls in line with those offered on other EVs, but the three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance are a huge plus and far better than what competitors offer.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Hybrid components warranty covers 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles