2017 BMW i8
2017 BMW i8 pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
It's practically a given that any six-figure sports car is going to have an exotic look to it. That said, the 2017 BMW i8 looks more "out there" than most.
As an exotic sports car, this futuristic-looking plug-in hybrid offers impressive acceleration — the sprint to 60 mph takes just 4.5 seconds. In terms of flamboyant styling, the i8's dramatic sweeping lines and scissor-lift doors make it a safe bet you'll stand out in any crowd. And when it comes to innovative engineering, the i8's plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain can tool along for up to 15 miles on battery power alone. And when the lithium-ion battery pack is depleted, it can be recharged in as little as 1.5 hours by a dedicated charging station.
As far as performance goes, the combination of the turbocharged three-cylinder engine and electric motor sends a total of 357 horsepower to all four wheels, enough output to transform even mundane trips into a thrill ride. With fuel economy averaging 28 mpg and a range of 330 miles between fill-ups, this exotic can keep the fun going for quite a while too.
In keeping with the environmentally friendly supercar theme, the BMW i8's ultra-modern passenger cabin is done up in recycled materials and naturally treated leather. If there's a downside to this car, it's in the form of rear seats so small they're best thought of as additional storage to supplement what's available in the positively tiny trunk.
If you'd like to consider alternatives to the BMW i8, there are two ways to go. As a fast yet environmentally friendly car, the i8 might compare to the all-electric Tesla Model S or the hybrid Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid. As a sports car, it might be compared it to the all-wheel-drive Acura NSX or Audi R8 because it has a dimension of all-weather civility that you don't find in a Ferrari or McLaren.
In the final measure, the 2017 BMW i8 remains an "out there" sports car with a uniquely appealing eco-friendly bent.
The 2017 BMW i8's list of standard safety features includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard are BMW Assist emergency communications (includes automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery and on-demand roadside assistance) as well as parking sensors and an around-view camera system.
At the Edmunds test track, the BMW i8 came to a stop from 60 mph in an impressive 108 feet.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 BMW i8 is a two-door, plug-in hybrid sports car with 2+2 seating. It comes in a single trim level.
Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, driver-adjustable suspension, LED exterior lighting (headlights, foglights, running lights and taillights), automatic headlights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, six-way power front seats, driver-seat memory settings and a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The list of standard electronics includes a head-up instrument display, a navigation system, BMW's iDrive electronics interface (with an 8.8-inch central display screen), Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, BMW Assist and Online, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a USB port, satellite radio and HD radio. Also included are BMW Apps (smartphone-app integration) and BMW Remote Services (which allows Apple and Android users to lock the car remotely and turn on the climate control, among various other tasks).
Two optional trim packages are available. Giga World includes turbine-style wheels, upgraded LED headlights and more extensive leather upholstery. Tera World throws in some special interior trim, including unique cloth and leather upholstery. Note that the default package is called Mega World; it's included in the base price. BMW's Laserlight headlamps are available with all three World packages.
A new Protonic Red Edition includes special paint and trim, unique wheels, distinctive seats and interior details and door sills engraved with "Protonic Red Edition."
Power for the 2017 BMW i8 comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 7.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor powers the front wheels through an integrated two-speed automatic. Taken together, these two sources produce 357 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque in an all-wheel-drive configuration.
During Edmunds testing, a European-spec BMW i8 sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, a relatively quick time that's nonetheless eclipsed by a number of non-hybrid sports cars on the market.
The i8's battery pack can be fully recharged at home through a standard 120-volt garage outlet in about 3.5 hours. Upgrade to a 240-volt charger (or visit a public Level 2 charging station) and you can trim the time down to about 1.5 hours.
EPA energy-efficiency estimates for the i8 include 15 miles of electric-only range and a combined (city/highway) fuel economy rating of 28 mpg when the gas engine comes into play. Total driving range is estimated at 330 miles. The EPA also rated the BMW i8 at 76 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent), factoring in both gas and electric operation.
Driving
On the road, the 2017 BMW i8 feels surprisingly friendly thanks to a combination of smoothly powerful acceleration and predictable braking without any artificial feel. The speed comes on in a smooth and linear fashion as the electric motor's instant torque fills in gaps in the power curve while the turbocharged gasoline engine is getting up to speed. Acceleration under full throttle is nothing less than impressive.
Driving the i8 also has a distinctly aural component. Under pure battery power, the silence is broken only by the turbine-like whine of the electric motor. Step on the accelerator hard enough to bring the gasoline engine online and specially designed engine sounds emanate from the rear audio speakers (even if the audio system itself is off), creating an enhanced auditory experience. It's kind of fake, but it sounds great.
Handling is likewise exceptional, thanks in part to the car's equally balanced weight distribution and low center of gravity. The adjustable suspension allows you to dial up the firmer Sport settings for tackling a winding stretch of road. Around town you'll want to use the standard setting in everyday motoring because Sport mode can be downright harsh on poor quality pavement.
Interior
As with several other exotic sports cars on the market, getting into the BMW i8 requires some practice. Swing the scissor lift door up and out of the way (a cool experience in itself), and you'll find a wide door sill you'll have to step over. With that being the case, the generally accepted method involves sitting on the sill and swinging one leg in, then letting your hind quarters slip into the seat followed by the other leg, all while ducking under the bottom edge of the door. Sounds complicated, but once you get the hang of it, the procedure turns out to be no big deal.
After you're in, you'll find plenty of headroom complemented by power-operated seats that offer good comfort even during a long day behind the wheel. The stylish design combined with high-quality naturally tanned leather and recycled materials gives the passenger cabin the upscale look you'd expect from an exotic sports car. Since this is a BMW, the instrument display and various center-console controls are meant for an actively engaged driver.
The rear seats are really seats in name only; they're much too cramped for human habitation. Much as in a Porsche 911, it's better to think of them as an adjunct to the notably small trunk, which itself offers just 5.4 cubic feet of space.
Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2017 BMW i8.
Features & Specs
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See your car's valueThe 2017 BMW i8 looks more like a car of the future than something you can buy off a BMW dealer lot today. It's almost ludicrously low, its styling is beyond the dreams of George Jetson and the plug-in gas-electric hybrid drivetrain may as well be classified as science fiction. And this is a supercar that's built to be environmentally aware. It's an exotic sports car that exudes virtue.
Describing the dance between all the elements of the drivetrain could fill volumes. There's a turbocharged inline-three cylinder gas engine in the middle that combines with a battery-powered electric motor to produce 228 horsepower for delivery to the rear wheels. Then there's a second electric motor in front that throws in another 129 hp that gets sent to the front wheels. A six-speed automatic transmission gets involved along the way, and there are computers determining where the torque is best distributed. It's complicated.
Add up all the various components, and there's 357 hp available to propel the two-seat (the rear "seats" are really storage shelves pretending to be seats) i8. It's enough to push (and pull) the i8 to 60 mph in only about 4.5 seconds. It's not the only hybrid sports car out there, but it's not a crowded market. The competitor that comes closest in price is the new Acura NSX. It's good company to keep.
With such a complex drivetrain, just reporting the fuel economy numbers can be mind-boggling. Running strictly on electricity, the EPA rates the i8 at the equivalent of 76 mpg. Running solely on gasoline, it's a combined 28 mpg. The number that may be most impressive is that, when gas and electricity are both used, the total range of the i8 is 330 miles.
All these tech details obscure the bottom line about the i8: it's a blast to drive. It's quick, it handles well and it doesn't beat you up doing it. It's also comfortable for cruising across whichever continent needs crossing, and it’s fun to whip along mountain roads. Plus, it attracts astonishing amounts of attention. This is the car you need for profiling in places like Miami Beach or Beverly Hills. They'd probably like it in Nebraska and Kentucky, too.
With its wide sills and low roof, there's no way to get into an i8 with any elegance. But you can get into an i8 at a great price by using the tools available to you right here on Edmunds.
2017 BMW i8 Overview
The 2017 BMW i8 is offered in the following submodels: i8 Coupe. Available styles include 2dr Coupe AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A).
What do people think of the 2017 BMW i8?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 BMW i8 and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 i8.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 BMW i8 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 i8 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 BMW i8?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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