BMW i3 Review 2023 | heycar
Before we dive into our BMW i3 review, you really need to appreciate the electric car landscape before it arrived. While pure electric cars have become fashionable, and the idea that they are only suitable for eco-crazies or nerdy engineers is long gone. In 2013 however it was quite a different story. If you were brave enough to take the plunge you had three choices: the Nissan Leaf, the Renault Zoe and the Telsa Model S.
BMW strode confidently into the electric car arena with a grand plan. It introduced two electric cars, not just one, and built them out of lightweight composite materials, whilst also ensuring they included lots of recycled materials. Plus, they ensured that they were as much fun to drive as a regular BMW. An impossible dream? Well, when the BMW i3 arrived alongside its big sister BMW i8 (which was technically a hybrid car), the world sat up and took notice. Since then and it was only in 2021 that the range of BMW electric cars grew significantly.
At launch, the BMW i3 came in two versions, each with a 60Ah battery and an electric motor, offering 170PS and 250Nm of torque. The pure EV version had a range of between 80 and 100 miles on a full charge, while a range-extender version (called REx) included a small 647cc engine that could only be used to recharge the batteries, extending the potential range to 186 miles.
In 2016 the battery capacity was increased to 94Ah, increasing the range to 195 miles and 276 miles respectively, while in 2017 BMW introduced the i3S model, with a slight increase in performance, revised suspension and styling upgrades.
Most recently, all i3 models received a bigger battery in 2018 with a capacity of 120Ah. Range was increased to 223 miles for the standard i3, while the REx model was discontinued as it was no longer felt necessary.
With just two models and no trim levels to choose from, the BMW i3 is a car that requires little deliberation. The exterior design is as modern as they come, with short overhangs, body panels that don’t appear to meet each other and black plastic where you might expect a grille.
The same goes for the inside of the BMW i3, which is a lesson in minimalism and can be decorated in a variety of earthy shades and materials, alongside the usual suite of display screens for infotainment and instruments.
The BMW i3 is a strict four-seater, but thanks to the way it is packaged the amount of room on offer is impressive. Legroom is generous for front and rear passengers while headroom is good enough to sit taller adults even in the back seats. The boot is relatively small with 260 litres on offer, but this is to be expected from a car so short and you still have the option to drop the rear seats if need be.
The driving experience will be something of a revelation if you haven’t experienced an electric car before. Forget any notion of expensive milk-floats. The way the BMW i3 can blast away from a standstill up to 30mph and beyond will change your mind very quickly.
The rest is equally grown up, with light and accurate steering that makes it easy to nip along with traffic. It’s comfortable too, and although the suspension is relatively stiff to make sure it handles well and doesn’t roll too much, only really bad bumps make it through to the cabin.
The BMW i3 is not a cheap electric car to buy. When it was new it started at more than £36,000 while the i3S was closer to £40k. It has held its value strongly, but you at least get a lot for your money and will continue to hold its value. Standard equipment levels are decent, while the BMW i3 is cheap to run and you also get a car that’s a pleasure to drive.
