Used 2017 BMW i3 Base Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 BMW i3 Base Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Surprisingly Complete “City Car”
SMLBill, Canoga Park, CA, 03/05/2019
2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
I was nervous about buying an i3 without a range extender. This car proved me totally wrong! It is pure electric. I always have plenty of reserve for my local errands. The thing is a pocket rocket! No one can out run me at a stop light! It is short, with the tightest turning circle of any car on the market. If you can’t get into,that super tight parking space, it will do it for … you. Though limited on storage, there is plenty for every day needs. I LOVE this car! I wish I’d bought one years ago..
I enjoy the ride very much!
Mary, Ashburn, VA, 08/19/2020
2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Amazing car, so much fun to drive. It is very fast and handles very well. The car has huge windows with nearly 360 degrees view all around. At the same time it is very bad for sunny days as my body exposed to the sun from chin to shins and I always feel hot even with Ac on. Upgraded sound system is amazing and xm radio has good reception. While the seats look small and have very little … cushion they feel super comfy. The interior is roomy , so much headroom, legroom, shoulder room. Even a tall person feels very comfortable. Amazing design of the steering wheel location allows comfortable grip and distance for legs, feet and arms. Back seats and back windows are very small and claustrophobic. Navigation screen is very small and all infotainment features are complicated, not intuitive and pretty much useless for me except for the backup camera. All pedals in the car are slippery when the shoes are wet. The front door and back door open opposite to each other blocking access to the car when you park close to the next car. Also the car tilts at high speed which is less noticeable for a driver but feels a lot to passengers. Overall the car is super cool and is a great choice for one person to drive. The joy from driving it overweight small negative things.
Perfect as a used BEV
Nnanelle, Everett, WA, 09/10/2020
2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Purchased the '17 i3 94Ah BEV with <13k miles on it earlier this year (just prior to the pandemic's start). I would never spend the money to get it new because I don't feel it's worth the >$50k price, but snagging an off-lease used is easy and affordable, plus you can get one that still has some warranty left on it.
I went for the BEV because from everything I had read it's the REX that … causes all of the problems (if there are any). Mine is the Terra pkg with full screen, wood/leather/sunroof - basically all of the bells and whistles available. I have no issue with range anxiety as all of my driving is done locally in my suburban neighborhood and in the nearby (less than 30 min away) city, and we installed a level 2 charger so even when "empty" the car can be fully charged in 4.5 - 5 hrs.
I love the sparseness of the interior - there's no fuss, it's very functional, and I really love that it's made from renewable materials. Yes there is a lack of storage space, but that's part of what I like because I'm forced to be minimalistic and not compile unneeded junk. The outside of the car looks small, but the interior feels room and there is more than enough headroom even for the taller members of the family. The backseat isn't ideal for bigger people, but for short trips it's not a problem. I don't even mind having to open the front doors to get to the back seat because it's so convenient when loading up the car with groceries or DIY materials (and we've loaded it up with a lot!).
The ride is fun: the accelerator reacts quickly and the regen braking is amazing. The ride can be a little stiff over bumps, but again I do all of my driving in-city so I'm not worried about going over rocky roads or offroading. I have the 20" tires and they are my only worry: I had to get a new set right after purchasing the car because they were bald, and have already been "nailed" 2 times, but I've got a tire center near my home that filled and fixed them immediately and I've just become more observant of what's in road (avoiding boards, etc.).
Overall I love my little BMW BEV and do not regret the purchase. I first saw the i3 in 2014, basically drove the owner crazy with my questions, and knew that I would be driving one one day. They are rare in my neighborhood - I've only seen 3 in the last 6 months that I've owned it, and I find it a shame that more people don't know what an amazing vehicle it is.
Bmw i3
Mr. Brewer, Folsom, CA, 08/09/2017
2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
It's Not for everybody. I feel I got more than a car I have technology
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 BMW i3 Base Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Expanded driving range meet most daily needs
- Pro:Strong yet lightweight chassis makes it quick and nimble
- Pro:Attractive and well-crafted interior has a unique architectural style
- Pro:Commanding driving position is highly adjustable
- Con:Reverse-hinged rear doors not ideal for passengers in parking lots
- Con:Range extender is not intended for cross-country travel
- Con:Cargo area isn't large, and has a high load floor
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.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 BMW i3 Hatchback
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.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 BMW i3 in Ohio is:
not availableLegal