2020 BMW i8 Review

Price Estimate: $45,838 - $59,282

Average

7.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 BMW i8 is a unique and deeply interesting car on many levels. From its construction to its powertrain and even the ease at which you can explore its considerable limits, the i8 can be a very satisfying drive. But when not charging around, or charging up at home, the i8 can feel clumsy. Driving in slow-moving traffic highlights most of the i8's deficiencies.

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Average price: $65,285

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Appraise My 2020 BMW i8

BMW i8 model years

BMW i8 for Sale

BMW i8 types

Coupe
Convertible

Pros

Excellent integration of powertrain and in-car technology
Head-turning futuristic design
Unique powertrain and limited production guarantee exclusivity

Cons

Performance-wise, it lags competitors
Difficult to get in and out of
Few available advanced driving aids
Powertrain is a little unrefined for the price

What's new

No significant changes for 2020
Part of the first i8 generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

5/28/2020

The 2020 BMW i8 seemingly has all of the prerequisites for supercar status. It has funky flip-up doors that are hard to operate. It's made from carbon fiber. Inside, you'll find high-end materials everywhere, with an options list that includes materials such as ivory white perforated leather. Heck, you can even get the i8 with lasers for headlights. But there's one aspect that's very different from most of the supercars on sale today: The i8 is a hybrid.

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For sale near Harrison, AR

4 listings

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2020 BMW i8
Base Coupe
$57,989
- 53,002 miles
- 18 mi est. electric range
- 3cyl automatic
- 500 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Highland Park, IL
LOADED I8! INCLUDES TERA WORLD COPPER, MATTE BLUE WRAP!This stunning 2020 BMW i8 Base Coupe represents a pinnacle of hybrid performance and luxury e...
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (26 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
WBY2Z4C03L7F81783
Stock:
27781G
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
09-28-2026
2020 BMW i8
Base Coupe
$77,887
- 11,732 miles
- 18 mi est. electric range
- 3cyl automatic
- 532 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Duluth, GA
CLEAN CARFAX, BLIND-SPOT MONITOR, DRIVERS ASSISTANCE PACKAGE, HARMON KARDON SOUND SYSTEM, HEADS UP DISPLAY, NAVIGATON PACKAGE, BACK UP CAMERA, 360 SUR...
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (26 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
WBY2Z4C0XL7F62115
Stock:
F62115
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-17-2026

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Rather than using a supercharged V8 or a sonorous V12, the BMW i8 is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, paired with an electric motor and an 11.6-kWh battery, all hooked up to all-wheel drive. That's right, the i8 is a plug-in hybrid. It puts out 369 horsepower with that hybrid powertrain, which makes it relatively quick, and it has an EPA-estimated 18 miles of all-electric range.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.5

out of 10

We drove the 2020 BMW i8 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the i8 drive? The BMW i8 has exotic styling and the performance to back it up ... mostly. Acceleration is quick as long as you've got the car placed in Sport mode. In our testing, the i8 sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. In the other driving modes, it becomes more ordinary. It's also worth mentioning that a lot of other performance cars these days are quicker still.

The i8 can seem clumsy in city traffic because of its grabby brakes and noticeable transition from electric to gasoline engine power. It's just not a particularly smooth car to drive. Out on the open road, the i8 is more fun to drive. The car's handling limits are easily approachable, even if they are a bit modest.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the i8? From the outside, the i8's sleek styling might make you think it's a car that will take quite the commitment to put up with. The seats, too, look uncomfortable. But looks can be deceiving since the i8 offers comfortable seating (for two, anyway) and, at least as performance cars go, a reasonably compliant and smooth ride quality.

There's not much wind noise, but the road noise more than makes up for it. It's constant, especially on the highway. To drown it out, you'll have to crank up the sound system. We do like the climate control system. The A/C is strong, and there are plenty of air vents.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The simplicity of the i8's interior can, at first, be underappreciated. BMW has kept the controls basic, and anyone who has spent any time in a BMW over the past 10 years will immediately be comfortable interacting with the i8. The interior is not as space-age as the exterior, but that's just fine by us. You can just concentrate on the fun part: driving. The driving position is excellent and caters to a variety of body types. Forward visibility is excellent.

Getting in and out is something you'll either look forward to or dread. The upward-opening doors are easy to open and close. But getting in requires a bit of a slide down, and climbing out can't really be done gracefully. But if you just think the doors look cool, it's probably worth the effort.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? The i8's older iDrive system might not offer the flash of a newer competitor's interface, but it certainly gets the job done. Navigation is quick to use and easy to read on the road, and the audio system does a good job of getting loud while maintaining clarity and balance.

The i8 falls short on other fronts, especially in this price range. Android Auto isn't supported, and even Apple CarPlay requires a subscription after a free one-year trial. The i8 is also lacking in some now nearly ubiquitous driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and high-speed emergency braking. You do get forward collision warning and low-speed emergency braking. Thankfully, both of those systems are not overly sensitive.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? No one's going to accuse the i8 of being overly practical, but it can function as a daily driver thanks to its efficient use of cargo space. Three grocery bags can fit in its 4.7 cubic feet of trunk space. That's less than what you get from an Audi R8 or Mercedes AMG GT but more than the Acura NSX.

The i8 benefits from having back seats no matter how impractical they might be. They do double duty as an interior storage shelf for larger items such as backpacks and jackets. There's even a bit of storage in the center console — just don't expect it to hold more than a phone, charging cables and some sunglasses.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The BMW i8 has some decent green-car credentials, with an EPA-estimated 18 miles of all-electric range and then 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving once the battery is depleted. Our test car lived up to those estimates with most tanks of fuel returning north of 27 mpg. And even after 15-mile stints at highway speeds, it still had another 5 miles or so of full electric range.

Like any plug-in hybrid, how and where you drive, and how often you plug in to recharge, can greatly affect efficiency. As for recharging the hybrid battery, it takes about three hours using a Level 2 charger. Using a standard 120-volt household outlet will take about eight hours.

Value

8/10

Is the i8 a good value? Probably the most controversial piece of the i8 might be the price. Starting at nearly $150,000, the i8 is in the same price range as the Acura NSX, Audi R8 and Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe. All have oodles more speed and performance. But comparing them dollar for dollar would almost miss the point of the i8.

The i8's interior materials aren't anything special, but the actual quality of construction is excellent. The exposed carbon-fiber tub is visible everywhere and just looks so cool. What you see is not done for effect, and BMW had every right to show it off.

Wildcard

8.5/10

It's quite easy to say "wow, cool!" when checking out the BMW i8. From the styling details to the upward-opening doors to the readily visible carbon-fiber tub, the i8 is chock full of uniqueness. All of that coolness is amplified once you get behind the wheel thanks in no small part to how comfortable and easy to use everything is. It's a future classic for sure.

2020 BMW i8 trim level differences

The 2020 BMW i8 is available in a single trim level offered as either a coupe or a soft-top convertible. The i8 Coupe features 2+2 seating, while the i8 Roadster subs out the seats in exchange for the roof mechanism. Both models use the same plug-in hybrid powertrain that produces a combined 369 horsepower. A turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission power the rear wheels, and an electric motor drives the front wheels through a two-speed automatic transmission. Compare the 2020 BMW i8 trim levels in-depth.

Which i8 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Since the i8 is only available in a single trim level, your choices are limited. You can go with the coupe or convertible depending on your taste, and there are several interior packages and a few choices for wheels to choose from — otherwise, most of the selection is done for you.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Arkansas

$162/mo

$222/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2020 BMW i8 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 20V601000
Number of vehicles affected:: 4509
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Defect Consequence:: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Corrective Action:: The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is available, drivers will be instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers will also be instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. The recall is expected to begin November 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Hybrid component 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 i8 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

11 reviews

5(73%)

4(9%)

3(0%)

2(9%)

1(9%)

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2020 i8 Features & Specs

Type:

Coupe

Est. Market Value	$55,518
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	No rebates available in 72602
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	18 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	69 MPGe
Cost to Drive	$162/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	3.0 hours
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the i8 models:

ConnectedDrive Services: Lets you know about traffic and parking spots and, in case of accidents, can connect you to BMW's Accident Assistance for vehicle support.
BMW Laserlight: Helps drivers see farther down dark roads with advanced laser projection technology.
Active Driving Assistant: Warns of potential front collisions with vehicles or pedestrians and if the i8 is about to leave its lane.