Overview

What's New for 2020

BMW makes the i3 in four different variations: Deka World, Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World. Navigation comes standard on all trims, as do 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, and LED taillights. Each trim level comes with its own set of wheel designs. The Deka World trim features dark clot interior, silver matte interior trim, Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, and heated front seats. The Mega World trim features a brown cloth interior with brown interior trim instead of black with largely the same equipment. Upgrading to the Giga World trim adds a sunroof, while the Tera World adds leather upholstery. Stand-alone options include heated front seats, 20-inch sport wheels, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a DC fast charger. An i3 comes with a starting MSRP of about $44,500 with the available range extender adding around an additional $4,000 to the starting price.

Powering the BMW i3 is a 125-kilowatt electric motor that sits over the rear axle and is coupled to a 42kWh battery. This powertrain sends 168 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. The car's top speed is 93 mph, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds. The car's driving range is somewhere between 80 and 100 miles on a single charge, depending on how it is driven. The i3s includes the same 42kWh battery but increases the power output to 181 horsepower and lowers the 0-60 mph time down to 6.8 seconds. There is an optional drivetrain, called the Range Extender, which uses a small two-cylinder gasoline engine that acts as a generator for the battery pack as needed. This configuration is intended to ease owners' fears of the car running out of charge in the middle of nowhere. However, it does provide only a limited range on gas, requiring some additional planning for road trips. The car takes 6 hours to charge under normal conditions. With a 220-volt outlet, the car charges in 3 hours while the DC fast charger allows the car's battery to fully charge in an amazing 30 minutes.

Like the exterior, the interior of the BMW i3 is quite futuristic in its design and even function. The steering column contains the gearshift lever and the gauge cluster. The rest of the car's controls are housed on three different digital screens, one being the 6.5-inch gauge cluster. The infotainment screen measures 8.8 inches, while the third screen only controls the sound system and climate. While it takes a little getting used to, this setup is quite efficient and suits the electric car quite well. The front and rear seats feature bench seating and most materials in the interior are made from sustainable materials, giving a unique look and feel versus competing cars. Occupant space on both rows is surprisingly good, and the seats are quite comfortable. The rear hatch makes it easy to load and unload larger items, making the car more practical for day-to-day living.