2021 BMW i3 Review

Name: 2021 BMW i3
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $24,990 - $25,590

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

You'll like the 2021 i3 if you're looking for a distinctive and sporty electric vehicle. Its interior looks cool and upscale, and the car's light weight and small size make it fun to drive around in the city. But the i3's elevated price, mediocre range and compromised practicality are significant drawbacks.

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Average price: $25,290

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Appraise My 2021 BMW i3

BMW i3 model years

2014

BMW i3 for Sale

BMW i3 types

Pros

Lightweight chassis makes the i3 quick and nimble
Well-crafted interior offers distinctive styling
Available range-extender model

Cons

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

What's new

Adaptive LED headlights are now standard
Part of the first i3 generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Written by automotive expert Reese Counts

Updated: 4/23/2021

BMW's i3 was one of the first mainstream electric vehicles to hit the market, way back in 2014. BMW has updated it a few times over the years, enhancing its range, performance and technology features. But the basic appeal of the 2021 i3 is still the same. This is an easy-to-park EV with an upscale and surprisingly roomy interior. And an available range-extender model has a tiny gasoline-powered generator that allows you to carry on if you fully deplete the battery pack.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Cupertino, CA

2 listings

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New Listing
2021 BMW i3
Base 4dr Hatchback
$24,990
- 20,931 miles
- 153 mi range
- 1,458 mi away
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Dallas, TX
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
Listing Information:
VIN:
WBY8P2C09M7K03793
Stock:
3006609501
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
09-18-2026
Price Drop
2021 BMW i3
Base 4dr Hatchback
$25,590
- 28,907 miles
- 153 mi range
- 2,373 mi away
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Tampa, FL
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
Listing Information:
VIN:
WBY8P2C00M7J07213
Stock:
2005125006
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
09-24-2026

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On the downside, most newer electric vehicles have eclipsed the i3. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, for example, offer superior range, performance and utility. Other notable EVs include the Kia Niro and Mini Cooper SE electric as well as more premium models such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volvo XC40 Recharge. We also expect this to be the last year for the i3 since BMW is readying its i4 and iX replacements. Still, the i3 could be worth considering for city commuting. Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth review of this year's i3.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2021 BMW i3 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the i3? The i3 affords a surprisingly good degree of comfort for its size. The front seats are thin and firm, and they offer little lateral support and zero adjustable lumbar. On paper, it's a recipe for disaster, but BMW has somehow made them quite pleasant to sit in. The rear seats sit a bit higher and are also comfortable.

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.

The single-zone climate system works well, but it's basic even among the mainstream EV segment. Even stranger is the fact that it adjusts in 2-degree increments. The cabin is usually remarkably quiet, except for when the gas generator comes on after the battery is depleted. It sounds like a tiny lawnmower is following you.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The i3, despite its diminutive size, is remarkably adult-friendly. Without an engine in front, there's room for a larger passenger cell, with plenty of head- and legroom all around. It is fairly narrow, however, and the rear only seats two. The i3's cabin is unusually laid out, but the controls are easy to use once you figure everything out.

Also unusual are the i3's reverse-hinged rear doors. They open wide to admit passengers or packages, but that's only if you have the space to do so. You'll often find yourself corralled by the front and rear doors when you're trying to get in and out of tight parking lots. Rear passengers can't let themselves out either.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? BMW uses its older iDrive infotainment system in the i3, but that's OK with us. It's actually easier to use than what you'll find in, say, a 3 Series. The standard 6.5-inch screen is quite small, especially considering how far away it is from the front passengers. The optional 10.25-inch screen is preferred, as is the available Harman Kardon audio system for its superior sound. Apple CarPlay comes standard, and BMW's superb onboard phone integration software somewhat makes up for the fact that Android Auto is not offered.

The i3 doesn't offer every new driver assistance feature, such as lane keeping assist, but what is here works well. BMW voice controls don't require a rigid command structure, but we found some variability in its ability to understand what we said.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The cabin offers numerous spots to store your stuff. There are large door bins, a useful shelf on the dashboard, and a small bin under the front armrest. Rear passengers have dual cupholders in the space between seats. It offers less trunk space than other hatchbacks but it's still OK. The rear-mounted electric drive motor and generator necessitate a raised cargo floor, but the i3's tall roof makes the 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space usable.

Got little kids? The reverse-hinged rear doors give the i3 uncommonly good access to front-facing child safety seats. The two car seat positions benefit from anchors that are easily accessed under plastic covers. But fitting in a larger rear-facing seat, and accessing it, can be tough.

Range and Efficiency

7/10

How are the range and efficiency? According to the EPA, the regular BMW i3 uses 30 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving. The i3 with the range extender uses a bit more: 32 kWh. This is OK, though other EVs are even more efficient.

Range is also lackluster. The regular i3 can go an EPA-estimated 153 miles, which is less than most other EVs. The figure for the Range Extender model is even lower — 126 miles — but you can go farther once the generator kicks on. Range is about 200 miles total before you'll have to stop and refuel.

Value

7.5/10

Is the i3 a good value? The price of the BMW i3 didn't seem steep when it first launched given its advanced materials, sufficient feature content and high-end cabin. But now that the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model 3 exist, it's not the coolest kid on the block anymore. It's also not the most spacious or practical. Mainstream brands such as Kia and Hyundai offer more EV for your buck too.

BMW offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for four years/50,000 miles. Complimentary maintenance is included for the first three years.

Wildcard

9/10

The i3's styling is distinctive even though it's been around for many years now. This EV puts the "funk" in functional, and the interior looks like it was put together by architects, not engineers. Even after all this time, the i3 truly feels like something special. The rear-wheel-drive platform, lightweight construction and compact dimensions make the i3 quick, responsive and nimble. The electric motor imbues it with smooth acceleration and a mostly silent ride, while aggressive regenerative braking makes one-pedal driving fun and efficient.

2021 BMW i3 trim level differences

The 2021 BMW i3 is a small four-door hatchback that comes standard with an all-electric powertrain. It's available in two trims — the base i3 and the somewhat sportier i3s. Both are available with a Range Extender that uses a tiny two-cylinder gasoline generator and a 2.3-gallon tank to keep you going once the main battery charge runs out. All four versions have a 42-kWh battery that is good for 153 miles of range in the electric-only version or 126 miles in the Range Extender model. BMW says the latter can go up to 200 miles with the gasoline generator on. Compare the 2021 BMW i3 trim levels in-depth.

Which i3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Stick with the standard i3 — the BMW i3s isn't sporty enough to make it worth the premium. We also suggest going with the Technology + Driving Assistant package to get the bigger central display and extra driver assist features.

2021 BMW i3 EV Insights

Trim:

i3 Base

Estimated Range Based on Age

139 miles

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 139 miles.

Estimated range mapfrom

Charging

SAE Combo

Plug Type

7 hrs

240V Home Charging

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 3 years or 30,000 miles for this car.

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Maximize savings on your BMW i3.

You could save$16,100

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Cost to Drive

$124/mo

$334/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in California

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more about the installation services partnership

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Reliability

The 2021 BMW i3 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #4 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#4 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$586/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

0.37x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

9.2%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 BMW i3

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
EV battery Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

BMW i3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

27 reviews

5(67%)

4(18%)

3(7%)

2(3%)

1(5%)

See all 27 reviews of the BMW i3

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

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 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 …

Perfect Car for My Daily Needs

Neal C., 11/17/2018

2018 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

The BMW i3 has character, style, and class. It’s most certainly never boring. You’d think with its small stature that my 6’2” frame would feel cramped inside, but not so. This is true even in the back seat, which is easy to access via the suicide doors. Upon delivery there was a fit and finish issue that the dealer quickly corrected. (A wire got caught in front of the speaker in the door …

2018 Protonic Blue i3S 94ah - 2nd i3

Chris - Las Vegas, NV, 10/28/2018

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

Let me start out by saying this is our 2nd i3. We have a 2017 94ah fully loaded in all black. That vehicle is very nice but there were things about it that you don't really notice until you drive or own the 2018 i3s model. Don't get me wrong the 2017 model is great and we are very happy with it. The 18 i3s feels better at highway speeds, more planted in windy situations and the …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW i3, so we've included reviews for other years of the i3 since its last redesign.

2021 i3 Features & Specs

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Base

Est. Market Value	$23,469
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	153 miles
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	7.0 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 you in sudden slowdown situations.
Tire Pressure Monitor: Warns you of insufficient tire pressure well before a slow leak can lead to a blowout.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Acceptable