2017 BMW i3 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Edmunds
Director, Vehicle Testing
Dan is a mechanical engineer by trade and spent 16 years developing new cars for two automakers before coming to Edmunds as its director of vehicle testing.
Pros
- Expanded driving range meet most daily needs
- Strong yet lightweight chassis makes it quick and nimble
- Attractive and well-crafted interior has a unique architectural style
- Commanding driving position is highly adjustable
Cons
- Reverse-hinged rear doors not ideal for passengers in parking lots
- Range extender is not intended for cross-country travel
- Cargo area isn't large, and has a high load floor
What’s new
For 2017, the BMW i3 enters its fourth year of production largely unchanged except for one major advance: the availability of a larger battery. Now with 45 percent more usable storage capacity, the pure plug-in i3 can go an estimated 114 miles on a charge, an increase of 33 miles. The Range Extender version, which comes exclusively with this bigger battery, enjoys a 30-mile range increase.
But the enlarged battery does cost more, so to partially offset the price the models with the enlarged battery now come standard with a new lower-cost Deka World cloth interior, with last year's baseline Mega World imitation-leather and cloth upholstery becoming an extra-cost option. A new optional sunroof is also available.
But the enlarged battery does cost more, so to partially offset the price the models with the enlarged battery now come standard with a new lower-cost Deka World cloth interior, with last year's baseline Mega World imitation-leather and cloth upholstery becoming an extra-cost option. A new optional sunroof is also available.
Vehicle overview
We were fans of the BMW i3 when it came out because of its nimble handling, eager acceleration and distinctive interior styling. That's all present in the 2017 BMW i3, but now it has a bigger battery for improved all-electric range. If you're looking for a premium yet practical EV, the i3 is your car.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,000 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Most would rightly conclude that the BMW i3 is some kind of eco-car when gazing at its unconventional styling. But there's more to this electric vehicle than skinny tires and compact dimensions.
In designing the i3 to be a dedicated electric vehicle at the outset, BMW went to great lengths to maximize the potential of the car's electric motor and battery pack. And so it is a featherweight car whose body shell is made entirely of carbon fiber, a racing-derived material that is stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum. The result is spirited acceleration, more range for a given size of battery and an uncommonly low center of mass that fosters the i3's nimble handling.
The optional Range Extender's gasoline engine generates electricity once the battery runs low, but please don't compare this to a Chevrolet Volt. BMW is aiming for a higher electric vehicle classification than the Volt, so its tiny 0.6-liter two-cylinder engine and 2.5-gallon gas tank are intentionally insufficient for interstate travel.
Notably, we picked the 2017 BMW i3 as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2014 BMW i3 w/Range Extender (battery electric 1-speed direct drive w/0.6L 2-cyl. gasoline generator)
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current BMW i3 has received some revisions, including more standard equipment (seat heaters, DC fast charging and automatic wipers). The most significant change is the new larger battery that improves the all-electric i3's range to 114 miles, a 33-mile boost. Our Range Extender test car could go 72 miles on electricity and 150 miles total; a similar 2017 example goes 97 miles on electricity and 180 miles total. But our findings still remain broadly applicable to this year's BMW i3.
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current BMW i3 has received some revisions, including more standard equipment (seat heaters, DC fast charging and automatic wipers). The most significant change is the new larger battery that improves the all-electric i3's range to 114 miles, a 33-mile boost. Our Range Extender test car could go 72 miles on electricity and 150 miles total; a similar 2017 example goes 97 miles on electricity and 180 miles total. But our findings still remain broadly applicable to this year's BMW i3.
Scorecard
| Overall | 4.5 / 5 |
| Driving | 5.0 |
| Comfort | 4.0 |
| Interior | 4.5 |
| Utility | 4.0 |
| Technology | 4.5 |
Driving
5.0The BMW i3 is a surprisingly good all-around performer, and the i3 REX is no exception. The range extender adds 265 pounds, but it doesn't upset the finely balanced handling and responsive steering. It's a touch slower to 60 mph, but 7.1 seconds to 60 mph is still quick in the EV segment.
Comfort
4.0The 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.
Interior
4.5The 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.
Utility
4.0Plentiful 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.
Technology
4.5The 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 parking.
Which i3 does Edmunds recommend?
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 would be better spent on the Technology + Driving Assistant package (enhanced widescreen navigation, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking) and one of three available interior upgrades.
2017 BMW i3 models
The 2017 BMW i3 is a four-door hatchback with seating for four passengers. The case for the i3 is even stronger this year because of the introduction of a larger battery that significantly extends its electric driving range. Two of this year's three trim levels have that bigger battery, namely the base and Range Extender versions. But the enlarged battery does cost more, so last year's smaller one is still available in the new 60 Ah version ("60 Ah" refers to the amp-hour capability of the battery).