2019 BMW i8

Overview

If you are lucky enough to see a BMW i8 rolling down the street, you'll immediately take notice. Unfortunately, the i8's plug-in-hybrid powertrain can't cash the checks written by its supercar design. With 369 horsepower and an estimated 18 miles of all-electric range, the i8 can't keep up with either the best sports cars or the best plug-in hybrids on the market. But for drivers who value curb appeal and exclusivity above all else, none of that may matter.

What's New for 2019?

The big news for 2019 is that the i8 is now available as a roadster, with a folding soft top and two seats instead of the two-plus-two arrangement found in the coupe. BMW also tweaked the i8's plug-in powertrain to produce 12 extra horsepower and an estimated three extra miles of EV range. BMW's iDrive 6.0 software now powers the i8's infotainment system.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The i8 roadster is almost $16,000 pricier than the coupe, but can you really put a price on the feeling of the wind in your hair? Standard features on the i8 roadster include a power-folding soft top, adaptive suspension, and 20-inch wheels. Leather-trimmed sport seats seem appropriate; they're available with the Tera World package, which also adds touches of blue to the exterior and black-painted brake calipers.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Likes: Unique (in this class) plug-in powertrain, feels light and quick, as fun to drive as many sports cars.
Dislikes: Short EV range, not as quick as competitors.

BMW offers a single powertrain in the i8. It mates a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder gas engine with an 11.6-kWh battery pack and two electric motors. The trio of power sources combines for a total of 369 horsepower, capable of driving all four wheels. However, it's not the fastest supercar on the block: The roadster we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.

The i8 suffers from the same light steering that we've criticized in many current BMWs. We'd prefer more feedback, especially in a vehicle with sporting intentions. The ride is surprisingly civil and bumps in the road are felt, but never harshly.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The i8's EPA fuel-economy ratings are unimpressive among hybrids but still better than most sports cars. During our highway fuel-economy test circuit, a 2019 i8 roadster delivered 35 MPGe and went for 22.2 miles on electricity alone.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Interior design matches futuristic exterior, comfortable front seats.
Dislikes: More plastic than is normal in a six-figure car, coupe's rear seats are nearly useless, ingress and egress are challenging.

Despite the i8's focus on design versus practicality, front-seat occupants won't feel cramped. The i8 roadster has seating for only two passengers, with the folding top taking up the space that is occupied by a pair of jump seats in the coupe. Standard interior features include heated power seats and touches of leather. Cooled seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and passenger-seat lumbar support are not available—even as options.

The i8's infotainment system will be familiar to owners of less exotic BMWs. The system is largely intuitive and displays on a sharp-looking 8.8-inch touchscreen situated atop the dashboard. Apple CarPlay is standard, but Android Auto isn't offered on any i8 model.

As you might expect, the i8 has a negligible amount of room for luggage and minimal cubby space for the trinkets of modern life. The i8's rear cargo area is long but shallow—unlike some mid-engined sports cars, there's no storage up front—and we managed to fit only a single carry-on suitcase inside.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The i8 hasn't been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and driver-assistance technology is scarce. Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking are standard, but other tech such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are absent. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard forward-collision warning
• Standard front and rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW's standard set of warranties is typical for a luxury automaker. Also typical is the i8's eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty on hybrid-powertrain components. The three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, however, set the i8 apart from the competition.

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