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2019 BMW i3
The 2019 BMW i3 ranks near the bottom of the luxury hybrid and electric car class. It offers spacious seating and a good safety rating, but it lacks many attributes befitting a luxury electric car, such as an engaging drive, a powerful motor, and a plush interior.
The 2019 BMW i3 is ranked:
Is the 2019 BMW i3 a Good Used Car?
Yes, the 2019 BMW i3 is a good used electric vehicle. It has a substantial cargo hold for its size, and the base model offers up to 153 miles of range. Its interior construction is simple, with quality materials.
However, the i3 does not stack up well against rival luxury hybrid and electric cars like the 2019 Tesla Model 3 or 2019 Lexus ES Hybrid. Both the Tesla and Lexus provide a much more engaging ride than the i3, a more powerful engine lineup, and ritzier cabin materials. The i3 also can't beat the Model 3's perfect safety score or the ES Hybrid's higher reliability rating.
Why You Can Trust Us
We've researched 31 BMW i3 reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability ratings and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years' worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don't accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.
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How Much Does the 2019 BMW i3 Cost to Own?
We currently do not have projections for the 2019 i3's five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance.
2018 vs. 2019 BMW i3: What's the Difference?
For 2019, the i3 gained standard Apple CarPlay and a larger battery that boosts the electric-only range from 114 to 153 miles.
Here are key changes for the BMW i3 over the last few years:
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 i3, 2017 i3, and 2018 i3 reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
How Reliable Is the 2019 BMW i3?
The 2019 BMW i3 has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five.
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See more information on BMW i3 safety recalls »
Which Used BMW i3 Trim Is Right for Me?
The 2019 BMW i3 comes in two main trims: i3 and i3s. The base i3 comes standard with a 170-horsepower powertrain, which garners up to 153 miles on a single charge. The i3s trim comes with the same powertrain but bumps the horsepower up to 181. Other than powertrain output, there isn't much difference between these BMWs. All models have the same list of standard features and a handful of optional amenities.
Both trims also have Range Extender configurations. These models come with a small gas engine that turns the car into a plug-in hybrid. Unlike other PHEVs, the i3 Range Extender only switches to gas power when the electric charge is fully depleted. The Range Extender option for either trim raises the i3's total driving range to 200 miles.
You may find some used i3 models equipped with the Technology and Driving Assistant package, which includes amenities like advanced navigation on a widescreen display, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Some used models may also come with leather upholstery.
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How Safe Is the BMW i3?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 BMW i3 the highest rating of Good in four crash tests and the second-highest rating of Acceptable in the head restraints and seats test. The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The i3 earned the second-highest rating of Advanced for its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not crash tested the 2019 i3.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
2019 BMW i3 Versus the Competition
Which Is Better: 2019 BMW i3 or 2019 Nissan Leaf?
While it doesn't carry the BMW i3's luxury moniker, the 2019 Nissan Leaf is a good alternative option. This Nissan EV boasts more cargo space behind the second row than the BMW and has comparable all-electric range. It offers a higher top-end range of 226 miles, compared to the 200-mile range of the i3 with its available Range Extender. Both EVs boast similar performance, with smooth handling and quick acceleration. However, the i3 offers a more upscale interior with eco-friendly materials and a larger total cargo hold than the Leaf. These pluses most likely come at a higher cost, so deciding between these two may come down to preference and your budget.
Which Is Better: 2019 BMW i3 or 2019 Tesla Model 3?
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is ranked near the top of the luxury hybrid and electric car class, and it's a better vehicle than the i3. The Tesla offers a 240-mile all-electric range in its base trim and can go more than 300 miles in its Long Range configuration. It has a top-notch safety rating and smooth regenerative brakes, and it can take corners with ease. The Model 3 is available with all-wheel drive, which you can't get in the all-electric BMW. Both EVs are good options, but the Model 3 comes out the winner in this comparison.
2019 i3 Performance
How Does the 2019 BMW i3 Drive?
This BMW EV has decent power and a great electric-only range that allows you to cruise in comfort. Its quick acceleration and tight turning radius help make this BMW EV a great city car. That said, the i3's ride is lackluster, and controlling this little EV at high speeds may require some adjustment to keep it from changing lanes. The regenerative brakes are strong but could operate more smoothly. This is common with many alternative-fuel vehicles.
Does the 2019 BMW i3 Get Good Gas Mileage?
The base i3 and i3s models get an estimated 124 MPG-equivalent in the city and 102 MPGe on the highway. Models with the available Range Extender gas engine get an estimated 100 MPGe and 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
For more information, read What is MPGe?
2019 BMW i3 Alternative Fuels and Charging
The i3 and i3s models have a 42.2-kWh lithium-ion battery that churns out up to 153 miles of electric-only range on a single charge. That's better than EV competitors like the base 2019 Nissan Leaf, 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf, and all-electric 2019 Hyundai Ioniq. The i3 and i3s Range Extender models come with the same battery pack, and while electric-only range drops to 126 miles, total range gets a boost to 200 miles.
The charging time depends on the method used:
2019 i3 Interior
How Many People Does the 2019 i3 Seat?
This BMW electric car is a small hatchback that seats four people in two rows. The seats have plenty of space for average-size passengers to remain comfortable on long drives, and there is plenty of headroom to boot. The interior is well-constructed and made with quality, eco-friendly materials. Reviews are mixed on these materials, but they are up to snuff for a luxury car.
That said, the seats aren't as padded as some may prefer, and the rear-hinged back doors, while easy to enter and exit through, open only after you initiate the front doors.
Standard seating features:
Available seating features:
How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2019 BMW i3?
The 2019 i3 has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use. The tether anchors could be confused for other hardware, and it's difficult to maneuver around the lower anchors.
2019 BMW i3 Features
The standard BMW iDrive infotainment system works well and utilizes an intuitive rotary knob controller that is located on the center console. The infotainment display is positioned atop the dashboard and does not have touch capabilities. Lastly, the traditional gauge cluster is replaced with a second display behind the steering wheel.
2019 BMW i3 Dimensions
BMW i3 Cargo Space
This BMW has 15.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a total of 36.9 cubic feet with these seats folded flat. That's above average for the luxury hybrid and electric car class.
2019 BMW i3 Length and Weight
Where Was the 2019 BMW i3 Built?
BMW built the 2019 BMW i3 in Germany.
Read the full 2019 BMW i3 review on U.S. News & World Report for more details, photos, specs and prices.