2018 BMW i3 Review

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BMW i3 model years

2014

BMW i3 for Sale

BMW i3 types

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJason Kavanagh^{Senior Vehicle Test Engineer
Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.}

Pros

Quick and nimble due to lightweight chassis
Well-crafted, contemporary interior has a distinctive style
Available range-extender model

Cons

Less range than its primary rivals
Reverse-hinged rear doors are suboptimal in parking lots
Cargo area isn't large and has a high load floor

What’s new

For 2018, the BMW i3 now has an additional version, the i3s, which is quicker and sharper-handling than the base i3. Last year's entry-level 60 Ah version of the i3 has been dropped. For every 2018 i3, BMW has restyled the front and rear bumpers slightly, and the windshield pillars are now black instead of body-colored. Full LED headlights are now standard. Inside, there's an updated version of the iDrive infotainment system with a 10.3-inch screen optionally available. A dual-voltage (120V/240V) charging cord is available this year as well.

Vehicle overview

The BMW i3 is probably one of the most innovative cars on the road today. That's true even though it's currently in its fifth model year. BMW pioneered the use of carbon fiber as the basis for the production car's structure to save weight. And it paid off: The i3 is quite lightweight for a battery-electric car, abetting its agile nature and quick acceleration. Other manufacturers still have a ways to go to catch up to BMW in this choice of material.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2018 BMW i3 EV Insights

Trim:

i3 Base

Estimated Range Based on Age

103 miles^{The range for a used 2018 BMW i3 is estimated to be 103 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 103 miles.^{Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

Round-trip

One-way

Estimated range map^{This map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging Rate

5 hours

Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

SAE Combo^{Standard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.}

Plug Type

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.}

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 3 years or 30,000 miles for this car.^{Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,125

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Beginning January 1, 2023 under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions:
Dominion Energy offers EV owners a rebate of up to $125 towards the cost of a Level 2 charging station.
To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements:
- Receive electricity from Dominion Energy.
- Have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- Networked/Smart charging capabilities to program the station to off-peak periods and respond to managed charging events
- You also earn a $40 e-gift card on the anniversary of your enrollment every year you remain enrolled.
To learn more, visit https://www.chargingrewards.com/faqs/dominion-ev/

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$50/mo

$168/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

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.}

Learn more about EV charging

See All EV Insights

The i3's styling is polarizing; of that there is no doubt. But it looks like no other car on the road and has a cabin that is truly striking and upscale. It's functional, too, with a breezy, spacious feel and easy backseat access thanks to the rearward-hinged rear doors. These doors can turn into a bit of a hassle in tight parking lot quarters, however.

You've got a new choice for an i3 this year: the i3s. It boasts a more powerful electric motor, a sport-tuned suspension, and wider tires to improve performance and handling. BMW is still offering the Range Extender version, too, which has a tiny gasoline engine (and fuel tank) that serves as an electric generator. It gives you a little more range once the battery runs out of juice, but the main appeal is peace of mind.

From a logical standpoint, the 2018 BMW i3 doesn't fare all that great in relation to its main competitors. You can get more driving range from the Chevrolet Bolt and the Nissan Leaf, for instance, and both cars are less expensive to boot. But the BMW earns back some emotional points by being a nicer car to drive and spend time in. The same could be said for Tesla's new Model 3, however. It matches the i3 for premium design and performance and, as the kicker, offers potentially two or three times the driving range.

Notably, we picked the 2018 BMW i3 as one of Edmunds' Best Electric Cars for 2018.

Notably, we picked the 2018 BMW i3 as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.

What's it like to live with?

For more information on the BMW i3 of this generation, read about our experiences from a full year of living with a 2014 BMW i3 Range Extender. We cover everything from range to comfort. We liked it for its nimble driving characteristics and distinctive interior but had less positive things to say about the rear door and cargo space. The 2018 i3 is available with DC fast charging, a newer infotainment system, and heated seats that weren't offered on our 2014 long-term vehicle. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.4 / 10

While its 114-mile range doesn't make it the range champion among electric vehicles, the 2018 BMW i3 does offer nimble handling, efficient packaging and a premium interior. It costs more than similar EVs, but in return you get a generally nicer vehicle.

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 2017 BMW i3 w/Range Extender (battery electric w/0.6L 2-cyl. gasoline generator | 1-speed direct drive | RWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current i3 has received some revisions, including an updated infotainment system and a revised stability control calibration. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's i3.

Scorecard

Overall	8.4 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.0

Driving

8.5

The BMW i3 is a surprisingly good all-around performer. The new car gains about 122 pounds, but it doesn't upset the finely balanced handling and responsive steering. With the larger battery, the i3 is a touch slower to 60 mph, but braking has improved from an already impressive precedent.

Acceleration

10.0

The latest i3 with the range extender weighs 122 pounds more than its predecessor by our scales, so it takes 7.4 seconds to get to 60 mph instead of 7.1 seconds. It's still quick for an electric vehicle. And now it's only marginally slower when the running off the generator, a huge improvement.

Braking

8.0

The i3 feels supremely stable when stopping hard, but you'll rarely encounter its natural pedal feel because of the i3's substantial off-throttle regenerative braking. Our i3 REX needed just 107 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is 4 feet shorter than its lighter predecessor and no less astounding.

Steering

8.5

The 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 the i3 feel darty on the highway at speed, especially since it can also be susceptible to following grooves in the road.

Handling

9.0

Don't let the skinny tires fool you. The i3 feels impressively coordinated and lively. It has a low center of gravity due to its lightweight carbon-fiber construction and batteries mounted under the floor, and the rear-mounted propulsion system gives it a slight rear weight bias that aids traction.

Drivability

Without the need to shift gears, electric vehicles like the i3 make for utterly smooth acceleration and braking. A high level of natural off-throttle regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which is both efficient, fun and less taxing once you get familiar with it.

Comfort

8.0

The i3 has surprisingly comfortable seats, and the ride exhibits a level of polish you might not expect from such a small car. The basic climate system works well and is easy to use. The cabin is remarkably quiet until the battery runs down to zero and the two-cylinder gas generator kicks on.

Seat comfort

8.0

The leather seats employ manual adjusters to save weight and electricity, but they have fixed lumbar support. The seats are thin and firm, as are the armrests, but they provide a surprisingly good level of comfort, though low on lateral support. The rear seats are decently comfy.

Ride comfort

7.5

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 as plush.

Noise & vibration

7.0

There's a touch of wind and road noise on the highway that's only noticeable because the electric motor is silent. That changes when the gas generator comes on after the battery is depleted, and it sounds like a tiny lawnmower is following you.

Climate control

6.5

The climate control is single-zone only, with 2-degree adjustment increments for the cabin temperature. The seat heaters warm up quickly and offer even warmth across the seat surface. All the climate controls are very straightforward and easy to access.

Interior

8.0

The i3's functional and friendly cabin is an inviting place to spend your commute, and a very space-efficient one to boot. It packs a lot of no-nonsense practicality but also oodles of style and innovative design.

Ease of use

8.0

The nontraditional rotary shifter stalk is intuitive and easy to work once you use it a few times. There's the typical BMW iDrive controller and screen menus, which work well, and the steering-mounted controls that make for a slightly odd volume knob and preset placement.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

The slightly elevated seat position makes for easy access, though the step-over is a little higher as well, and the reverse-hinged rear doors open wide to admit passengers or packages. But these can be tricky when backseat passengers are off-loading in parking lots because of the corral effect.

Driving position

7.0

The seating position is upright with generous fore and aft adjustment and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column. The spring-loaded seat height adjuster requires pulling yourself up using the steering wheel or letting it rise before you sit. It's odd at first, but it's quicker than a ratcheting lever.

Roominess

8.0

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

Visibility

8.0

The expansive forward and side visibility is aided by elevated seating position. The odd dip in rear door windows is useful, and the rear three-quarter blind spot isn't too bad. Rear parking sensors come standard; a rearview camera is optional.

Quality

8.5

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

Utility

8.0

There's plentiful storage in the cabin, but the 15.1-cubic-foot trunk is small and a bit high due to the motor 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.

Small-item storage

7.5

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-size purse. The backseat passengers have dedicated center-mounted cupholders. The i3 is very space-efficient.

Cargo space

8.0

The trunk is smallish at 15.1 cubic feet because the electric motor and generator are housed under the floor. This setup makes the loading height a bit high, too. The i3's high roof offsets these issues a bit, and the rear seats do fold absolutely flat. There's good usable space folding one or both.

Child safety seat accommodation

9.0

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.

Technology

BMW's iDrive infotainment system has been updated for 2018, yet the outgoing system isn't shabby in terms of ease of use and options for redundant controls. The new iDrive system offers Apple CarPlay, too.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The optional Harman Kardon system produces quality sound, though some may find it lacking in bass. Also, there's no AM radio tuner. The navigation system is easy to operate and allows destination input through voice, rotary dial or by touchpad character recognition.

Smartphone integration

9.0

Bluetooth and USB connections work as expected, and you can navigate to your music or other genres such as audiobooks and podcasts with the iDrive controller. You also have access to your smartphone's voice command through the car's voice control button by holding it down for about 4 seconds.

Driver aids

8.0

The optional adaptive cruise control will bring the i3 to a complete stop, and it works well in stop-and-go traffic. It also comes with forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian detection.

Voice control

8.0

For 2018, iDrive 6's enhanced voice controls promise big improvements. Speech processing is now cloud-based and performed off-board, and the system supports natural language.

2018 BMW i3 models

The 2018 BMW i3 is a four-door hatchback with seating for four passengers that's available in i3 or i3s trim, both of which are battery-electric, or you can have either one additionally equipped with a gasoline-powered Range Extender. All four versions are equipped with a 33-kWh battery.

Base i3 models are equipped with an electric motor (170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels. With the same battery as last year's model, there's enough energy for an estimated 114 miles of range. It comes well equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and Level 3 DC fast-charging capability. Inside, the interior upholstery is cloth (Deka World) and it comes with keyless entry, rain-sensing headlights, adaptive cruise, heated front seats, Bluetooth, HD and satellite radio, and BMW's basic Business navigation system with a modest 6.5-inch display screen.

New this year is the i3s, which has more power and sharper handling than the i3. The electric motor in the i3s cranks out 184 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, which shortens its sprint from zero to 60 mph to 6.8 seconds (0.4 second quicker than the base i3). Compared to the i3, the i3s' ride height sits 0.4 inch lower, and its fenders, track width (the distance between the center of the tires), 20-inch wheels and performance tires are wider. The wider, stickier tires come with a modest penalty — maximum range drops to 107 miles.

The only difference between the all-electric and the Range Extender versions is, quite simply, the range-extending, 0.6-liter two-cylinder gasoline generator, which is the same as last year's. Because the Range Extender is heavier, these models don't travel quite as far when operating on electricity alone, maxing out at an estimated 97 miles. A 2.3-gallon fuel tank enables a combined range of 180 miles for both Range Extender versions of i3 and i3s models.

All models can be equipped with the Technology + Driving Assistant package, which adds advanced navigation with a widescreen display and advanced real-time traffic, all-speed adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with emergency braking. Opting for this package allows Apple CarPlay to be added, too.

For the i3, BMW offers three main upholstery packages — Mega World, Giga World and Tera World — that add combinations of leather and wool or full-leather upholstery plus different wheels and interior trim. Stand-alone options include parking sensors, 20-inch wheels (for the regular i3), a premium Harman Kardon audio system and a sunroof.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 BMW i3.

5 (68%)

4 (23%)

3 (6%)

2 (3%)

1 (0%)

4.6

34 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Amazing in so many ways

N LeBert, 08/15/2017

2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

This car has exceeded all my expectations. It's the 2017 Rex Terra world. Most of my driving is highway and oh what fun it is. Looks small from outside, especially from the rear, but inside you feel you are in a spacious car of the future. The handling and comfort are most surprising for an electric car and even more surprising is the acceleration and control you have. Some things … about the car take a little time getting used to, such as the regenerative breaking. But after a few days, it becomes so natural you soon realize this should be in all cars. The back seats fit only two adults but in the two times in the eight months I have owned the car, I have had someone in the rear seats only twice and they were quite comfortable. I'm glad I got the Rex which provides a generator to charge the batteries as you drive to go an additional 80 to 90 miles. That's more than an hour of driving until you find a gas station. I've only been to the gas station a few times. Most drivers would not even need the Rex but it does help with the Range Anxiety. The maintenance on this car is just about none. I drive 80 miles to work and back each day. I have enjoyed the quiet comfortable ride every day. My average speed is 75 mph on the highway and I look forward to driving every day. It's just so much fun... Well, I just changed my rear tires at 37,000 miles. I'm sure many of the very quick takeoffs (rear wheel drive) had some negative impact on the tire wear. The front tires look like they have another 15,000 to go. Update Sep 2019: I now have 53,000 miles on the car and it looks and drives like new. Still very happy. Update Sep 2020: I now have 71,500 miles on the car and I took it in for service. No problems were found. Oil change in the range extender and suggested replacement of the rear tires. Replaced those but the front tires are still in good condition and good tread. The car looks great and drives like it did when new. Still enjoying my i3 very much. Update Sep 2022: Have 104,400 miles on the car and I have had no problems yet. I did get the brake lines drained and new fluid replaced as required every 5 years. I had to replace the front tires and will soon need to replace the back tires maybe in about 6 more months or so. The car drives and looks as though it is brand new. No rattles or squeaks yet and I guess this is due in part to the frame being carbon fiber instead of steel. The brakes are seldom used and so far the original rotors have many more miles still left on them. I have notice the distance I can drive has gone down about 10 miles from the original 114 to now about 104 on average. The electric cost has averaged about 3.4 cents per mile. My only disappointments are that the car should have come with Blind Spot Monitor and the cruise control is too often unavailable. What I love most is the fun to drive, how quite it is. The Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist have come into play several times and kept me from an unexpected collision. All cars should have this. So far I am very happy and plan to keep this car for many years.

Love our i3 REX's

Matt from Maine, 10/01/2019

2018 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

We have had short-lease ownership of both a 2017 and a 2018 model, They are virtually identical, with the main difference being that the 2017 did not have the backup camera. From 2018 on, all i3's now have the integrated camera, and it is a good one. Now that the lease is up on the 2017 model, we got a nice promotional offer from a New England dealer, and took them up on it. So, we … will now have a 2019 model, with the larger battery pack. Obviously we enjoy the car. It is particularly fun and zippy around town. Highway driving is okay, but sketchy on days when there is a strong crosswind. This car is not for everybody, of course. But none of our routine drives are more than 75 miles, and we have a level 2 charger in our garage at home. As an experiment, I once drove round-trip 650 miles in one day, to visit my daughter at college, using frequent gas fillups. This is not ideal, but it is possible, if you don't want to find chargers. Try driving a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf 650 miles in 13 hours. People get hung up on the list price of the car. As if that is what you really have to pay. The pundits don't seem to grasp that virtually nobody BUYS a new i3. The lease deals are too attractive. With some effort, you can lease one for less than $300 per month. Particularly if you are buying at the end of the model year. You have the option of "buying out" the car at the end of the lease, but I suspect that nobody does that, either, because the pre-determined 'residual value' is set at an artificially high level, in order to decrease the monthly lease payments. These are fun cars. But because they are so fun to drive, the tires will wear out. if that bothers you, stay away from this car. It is a very odd tire size, and no other car on the planet uses that size. As a consequence, there is only one company that manufactures that tire size for all-season tires. (there are two other companies that make winter tires for the i3, but only in the 19" rim size). At first, when I realized I might have to buy new tires on the 2017 that I turned in, with about 18000 miles, I was a tad upset. But then I realized that it is a high-performance car, and the rear-wheel drive dynamics do put a lot of stress on the rear tires. In the end, the dealer who accepted the car at the end of the lease commented on the worn rear tires, but let it pass, ultimately. And I am okay with buying new tires, if I have to. And I will be putting on Nokain R3 winter tires on my 2018 this winter, both for winter safety, but also to save the tread on the summer tires. Again if you hate buying tires, and you want to own this car, then drive gently, corner reasonably, and avoid jack-rabbit starts. Hard things for me to do. If you test drive this car, you will want one. I have now "test driven" over 20K miles, and I am sold. It is an electric car 98% of the time. But it has neutralized range anxiety with the backup gasoline power. I rarely use gas, but it's nice to know that I can. That beats a Chevy Bolt or a Nissan Leaf, as far as I'm concerned. And it comes pretty close to beating a Tesla, from range-anxiety point of view. ======================================= I do live in an area with a handful of available high-amperage DC chargers. These will fully charge a depleted battery in about 40 minutes. But most owners charge at home, or at work, if they are lucky enough to have an enlightened employer. ======================================== Buying a used i3 REX is a totally valid option. They all have warranties out to 48 months, and the first 36 months includes free dealer service, including inspection stickers. So any car that you will find has been well maintained (though you will want to do your own due diligence on that). The gas engine requires an oil change about once a year, if it is used at all. The battery and electric powertrain should last ten years or more, without being touched. You just have to keep up with tires, wiper blades, and changing the hydraulic brake fluiid every couple of year. But if you are buying used, be aware of the battery size. The battery size has jumped every two years of production. And be sure to get a backup camera. You can tell if a used car has a backup camera in the dealer's photos, because the little fish-eye is in the middle of the bumper. And rumor has it that BMW will stop making these in a year or two. And it seems likely that they will not increase the battery size beyond what is is now (2019 and 2020 model years) It is a unique car, remarkably quiet inside, remarkably good ride, considering it is a small car. Remarkably tight turning radius. I can make a U-turn in places were no other car could possibly do it. Even if you never own one, you should make an effort to drive one. It is unique.

Great update for 2017

CK, 11/10/2016

2017 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

While I think some more tweaks are needed to set the car apart, overall this is a great car. It's my second electric (previously had a Leaf) and the Bimmer is an exceptional commuter. No range anxiety with this especially with the new battery. I've driven over 100 miles and still had 37% percent battery charge left. The new color option of protonic blue is a great step forward. …

Great car - only one of its kind!

Robert, 01/03/2019

2018 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)

I've had my 2015 i3 Rex for a little over a year now. Others have pretty well covered the high quality of materials and how much fun the car is to drive. I'll comment more specifically on the REX engine. BMW is the ONLY electric car to include such a thing. Every other plug-in hybrid includes a full-size engine to drive the wheels when you're out of power. All that weight and …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 BMW i3, so we've included reviews for other years of the i3 since its last redesign.

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2018 BMW i3 video

2018 BMW i3 Frankfurt Auto Show Debut

[MUSIC PLAYING] MARK TAKAHASHI: Hey, everybody. I'm here at the Frankfurt Motor Show, taking a look at the slightly refreshed BMW i3. Now it's got some cosmetic changes here and there, but really, really, they're slight. So slight, honestly, I don't know what they changed. The bigger news, however, is they're introducing a new model called the i3S. As you'd expect, the S stands for Sport. Don't really expect too much sportiness from an i3, but it's got a marginal increase. So it has 184 horsepower. Now that compares against the regular 170 horsepower. On top of that, it's got a sportier suspension that's just a little bit lower, by about a quarter of an inch. It also has slightly wider tires, though it's kind of hard to tell, because the i3 already had really, really narrow tires. With this increase in power, it should get to 60 miles an hour in about a half second quicker than the regular version, so expect in the low to mid six second range. Like the regular i3, it will also have the range-extender option. Inside, the i3 also has a slightly updated infotainment screen. Should be a higher resolution and some new features here and there. One of the newer tech features is actually a parking helper. In certain urban areas, it will point out your most likely areas to find a parking spot. Now that's really helpful. Look for these i3s to start showing up in dealerships somewhere near the end of 2017. For more information on the i3, and any other EV, head over to Edmunds.com. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you want to see more videos like this, hit subscribe and check out all of our other videos. [MUSIC PLAYING]

2018 BMW i3 Frankfurt Auto Show Debut

Edmunds 2018 BMW i3 debut from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Senior Writer Mark Takahashi takes a look at the refreshed 2018 BMW i3. The EV hatchback received cosmetic changes so slight that it's difficult to be able to tell what's new. But the big news is the introduction of the i3s…

2018 i3 Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP	$44,450
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,125 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	114 miles
Cost to Drive	$50/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	5.0 hours
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the i3 models:

Active Driving Assistant: Reduces the likelihood and severity of a front collision by issuing a warning before intervening with automatic emergency braking.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Manages the gap to the car ahead, even down to a standstill in routine stop-and-go traffic; alerts driver in sudden slowdown situations.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Warns driver of insufficient tire pressure well before a slow unnoticed leak can lead to a blowout-caused roadside stranding or accident.

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2018 BMW i3 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

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2018 BMW i3 EV Insights

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Which i3 does Edmunds recommend?

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Amazing in so many ways

Love our i3 REX's

Great update for 2017

Great car - only one of its kind!

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