2017 BMW i3 Review

This year's addition of a larger battery makes it less necessary to opt for the Range Extender version. Now with 114 miles of electric range, the pure electric i3 base model has more than enough to satisfy your daily needs. And we figure the money we'd save by not getting the Range Extender woul...

Zero-shift electric vehicle behavior makes for utterly smooth acceleration and braking. The high level of natural off-throttle regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which is both very efficient and loads of fun once you get the hang of it.

Our i3 with the range extender weighs 265 pounds more than a regular i3, so it takes 7.1 seconds to get to 60 mph instead of 6.6 seconds. But this is still quick for an EV. It's much slower when the generator is making juice, though, because the range extender mainly functions as a backup system.

You'll rarely engage the smooth, predictable-feeling brake pedal because substantial off-throttle regenerative braking handles most routine stops in a very engaging way. The Range Extender needs 111 feet to make a panic stop from 60 mph, just 2 feet more than a regular i3 and no less astounding.

Quick, responsive steering and a short wheelbase add up to an ultra-tight turning circle and excellent city maneuverability. But these same attributes can make it feel a bit darty on the highway at speed, especially in places where the surface is grooved to dissipate rainwater.

Don't let those skinny tires fool you. This one is impressively coordinated and exhibits supremely balanced cornering behavior because of its 50/50 weight balance, rear-wheel drive and low center of gravity.

Zero-shift electric vehicle behavior makes for utterly smooth acceleration and braking. The high level of natural off-throttle regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which is both very efficient and loads of fun once you get the hang of it.

The seats and seating position are surprisingly comfortable, and the ride exhibits a level of polish you might not expect. It's very quiet, too, in all-electric mode. But you'll hear the gas generator if the battery runs out of juice and the i3 switches to extended-range mode.

Supportive and comfortable leather seats employ manual adjusters to save weight and electricity. Telescopic steering wheel has a big adjustment span, assuring a good driving position for tall and short alike. The elevated backseat is pretty comfy, too.

The i3's carbon-fiber structure is supremely rigid, which virtually eliminates shudder and shake on rough roads. The suspension does an admirable job of absorbing road imperfections and potholes, but no one would describe the ride here as plush.

There's a touch of wind and road noise on the highway that's only noticeable because the electric motor is silent. That changes if the gas generator comes on after the battery is depleted; it growls like a motorhome generator, especially on hills.

Automatic climate control comes standard, and the system works well and employs simple controls that are positioned front and center. Electric-supplied heat comes up to temp quicker than in gasoline-powered cars that must wait for engine heat in the morning.

The i3's functional and friendly cabin is an inviting place to spend your commute. There's a lot of no-nonsense practicality but oodles of style and innovative design, too.

The nontraditional shifter stalk is actually intuitive and easy to use once you use it a few times. The typical BMW iDrive control and screen menus work well, and the steering-mounted controls make up for an odd volume knob and preset placement.

It's pretty easy for the driver to get in and out despite a somewhat wide doorsill. The reverse-hinged rear doors open wide. But getting in the back is a two-step process, as you must open the front side doors in order to swing the rear doors open.

The front seats are manually adjustable to save electricity, but they're easy to set and the adjustment range is generous. The same is true of the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The gauges are easy to see through the wheel. The result: a great driving position for just about everyone.

There is legitimate room for four adults to fit comfortably inside the i3, with adequate leg- and headroom all around. Rear occupants may eventually notice it's a tad narrow back there, but as an electric vehicle, the i3 isn't a long-distance interstate cruiser anyway.

Expansive forward and side visibility is aided by the elevated seating position. The odd dip in the rear door window is useful in this respect, and the rear three-quarter blind spot isn't too bad. Rear parking sensors come standard, but front parking sensors and a rearview camera are optional.

The i3 costs more than the EVs it competes with, but the interior quality and modern design more than justify the extra cost. There's an intriguing mix of high-quality and eco-friendly materials. Typically solid BMW switchgear.

Plentiful storage in the cabin, but the 11.2-cubic-foot trunk is small and a bit high because the motor is under the floor. Rear-hinged doors are mostly a boon to attending to kids in car seats; they're especially good for forward-facing seats but less ideal for some bulkier rear-facing ones.

The i3 has big door bins, a decent amount of dash storage and a small but useful in-armrest bin. And there's sufficient open space under the flip-up center armrest for a medium-sized purse. Backseat passengers have dedicated center-mounted cupholders.

The trunk is smallish, at 11.2 cubic feet, because the electric motor and generator are housed under the floor. This makes the loading height a bit high, too. The i3's high roof offsets these issues somewhat, and the rear seats do fold absolutely flat. There's good usable space if you fold one or bo...

Reverse-hinged doors give uncommonly good access to front-facing seats. Access to some bulky rear-facing ones can be tough, and the open rear door may impede stroller access to the hatch. The two car seat positions benefit from LATCH and Isofix anchors that are easily accessed under plastic covers.

The i3 comes across as a very technology-rich machine in standard form, and just one package — the Technology + Driving Assistant package — gets you the upgraded navigation and the most desirable active driving aids. Get the Parking Assistant package for a rear camera and automated parki...

Standard Business navigation has a small screen and basic functionality. We got the optional Professional navigation because of its broader screen, hard-drive map data and more advanced BMW online services. Audio system has FM/satellite/HD radio, Bluetooth and USB, but no AM radio or CD slot.

Phone pairing for Bluetooth phone and audio is easy, and the USB-iPod music interface is easy to manage via the iDrive controller, particularly with the larger interface screen of the Professional entertainment and navigation system.

The optional adaptive cruise control via the Technology + Driving Assistant package is a good example of the breed as it works all the way down to a full stop. Forward collision warning with collision mitigation braking comes with it, too. Automated parallel parking system is available separately.

Works fairly well, but like many such systems, it does not recognize all names, particularly if they're not rooted firmly in English.

To learn more about the BMW i3 of this generation, read our updates from a full year of living with a 2014 BMW i3 with the optional range extender. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. Please note that the 2017 BMW i3 differs from our long-term i3 in that a larger ba...