Used 2017 BMW i3 Base for sale 

The three trims of the I3 are distinguished on the basis of the electric power output from their motors. The range starts off with a $42,400, 60 Ah motor, and a few extra thousand dollars will get you a 94 Ah motor in your I3. At $48,300, the big daddy of the line-up has the same motor but this time, it has a range extender.

Buying Advice

While a range extender does come in handy, spending a whopping $48,300 on a hatchback sounds insane. Instead, the 94 Ah without the range extender sounds just right even if you look at the options list. A "basic" $42,400 dollar I3 isn't bad either and thanks to its outlandish looks, you'll be turning heads as if you just popped out of 2038 (this bad boy isn't nuclear though

As mentioned earlier, there are only two electric motor options (60Ah and 94Ah) available in the I3 while the third trim has been upgraded with a range extender. It gets an AC synchronous electric motor that produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Both motors are paired with a single-speed automatic transmission that happens to be the best one an electric car of its kind could have. In the Range-Extended model, you get a 0.6-liter two-cylinder scooter engine borrowed from the BMW C600 scooter. This engine is good for approximately 38 horsepower and it’s connected to an electric motor It does not power the wheels directly. 

Electric cars are known for their Torquay motors propelling them into hyperspace within a matter of seconds. The case is similar here as the I3 makes a decent 184 lb-ft of torque but take a closer look at the competition and you'll find that BMW has also taken care of the ponies put out by the I3; a very impressive 170hp. While the Ford Focus Electric and the Volkswagen E-Golf grab second and third spots respectively, the Nissan Leaf sits in the last place. 

How quick is the 2017 BMW I3 from 0-60 MPH?

The I3 is very nimble out on the road because it is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle and there is no engine to interfere. With 170 horsepower and relatively light curb weight, it is lighter than many compacts. As a result, it feels very peppy and takes 6.4 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from a standstill.

The Range-Extended model takes a solid 7 seconds to complete the test since it is slightly heavier than the other trims. Similarly, the quarter-mile test is completed in 15.3 seconds.

The extra horses from that 60Ah motor are advantageous at the red light when you want to outsmart those crooked environmentalists in Leaf and E-Golf trying to befriend you thinking that even you're driving a run-of-the-mill electric go-kart. While the E-Golf sits in second place, the Focus Electric and the Leaf have similar performance test numbers. 

How does the 2017 BMW I3 handle?

The sad reality about saving the planet while driving your heart out is that the electric cars fit for the job happen to be a little too dull to drive. Unfortunately, the I3 also follows this trend and the steering feedback is artificial. Furthermore, it lacks the classic BMW driving feel that we have become so used to.

When you stop comparing the I3 to its gas-powered siblings, you'll find that it is very nippy to drive around town thanks to the lightweight carbon-composite chassis and the 170 horses from the electric motor pushing it forward quick enough to not dwell into its faults.

How are the brakes on the 2017 BMW I3?

The brakes in the front and back are 11 inches in diameter and they perform very well in tricky situations. The decent braking figures are also a direct result of the I3 being the second lightest car in its class at 2799 lbs. In the brake test, the I3 takes 125 feet to halt completely which is about the same as an average midsize sedan.

Special care has been taken in the 60-0MPH figures as well but it somehow falls short of the braking distances of the Focus and the E-Golf. It isn't that bad for a car having its performance and at a distance of 125ft, it's much better in this arena than the Leaf's 129ft.

The heavy price tag, the added complications, and high maintenance would all just be unnecessary pains to bear if it wasn't for the excellent fuel economy figures offered by this new Beemer. It gives a combined 125.3 miles to the gallon which makes it triumph over its rivals. In the city, expect around 137 MPG, and on highways, 111 MPG without any worries.

The BMW I3 offers the best set of mileage in this competition. Its combined mileage goes up to 125.3 miles. It is followed by the Volkswagen E-Golf with 119 miles and the Nissan Leaf with 112 miles. On the last is the Ford Focus Electric with a combined mileage of 107 miles. 

As you'd usually expect from a BMW, the interior is finished in beautiful, high-quality leather from the seats to the steering wheel. Only four passengers can fit inside the I3 and its rivals offer enough space for five adults.

The car does happen to be tiny on the inside too since the headroom and legroom offered could've been better. The seats support your back and offer satisfactory thigh support but the seating position could've been significantly improved.

Except for the BMW I3, the other three rivals offer a seating capacity of up to five passengers. Although the seating capacity is four, there is plenty of space for the passengers. The Nissan Leaf offers the best head and legroom in the front row while the rear row is dominated by the Volkswagen E-Golf. Some of the interior features include:

• Leather steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Automatic climate control
• Push-button start

How intuitive is the 2017 BMW I3’s infotainment system?

Like all Beemers, the I3 also comes with the signature BMW ConnectedDrive infotainment system that is a joy to use and responds quickly to your commands. In the middle of the dash, there exists a 6.5-inch screen which is unusually simple compared to the rest of the tech mania found in the car.

The screen may also be controlled via a rotary knob in the center console. This particular system in the I3 does not come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay which is a huge letdown in a car claiming to be the future of transportation. Some of the other features include:

• Single USB port
• Rotary knob controller
• HD radio
• AUX input
• Voice command
• Navigation system
• BMW ConnectDrive system

How much cargo capacity does the 2017 BMW I3 offer?

The cargo capacity is rated for just over 15.1 cubic feet if you opt for the electric version. The Range-Extended models drop down the figure to 9 cubic feet. The reason is that the range extender hides below the cargo area. However, very much like an average crossover, the cargo area is squared which really does help accept larger bags. The rear seats fold completely flat making it very easy to push larger items right into the cabin. Behind the rear seats, you get 36.9 cubes of space. 

The space in the boot is one department where the little I3 needs to improve if it plans to pose as a practical electric run-about for the masses. But it excels when the rear seats are folded. Both the E-Golf and Leaf provide more cargo space. 

The "mickey mouse of the future"-ish design and all its quirky bits don't mean that the I3 is a heavy car. In fact, it happens to be the second most lightweight car in its class at 2799 lbs.; only second to the golf's 2455 lbs.

This is refreshing as electric cars usually happen to be heavier thanks to the motors powering them. The new BMW I3 is the smallest car available in the segment with a length of just 157 inches and a width of only 70 inches. It stands at 5.4 inches off the ground and has a height of 62 inches.

Speaking of the wheelbase, the Nissan Leaf flaunts 106.3 inches which indirectly means better passenger volume. Also, it is the heaviest car in this segment. Both the Focus and the Leaf share the same ground clearance of 6.3 inches which is the same as an average midsize sedan. The other details regarding its exterior can be seen below:

• Perimeter alarm
• U-shaped LED headlights
• Carbon construction
• Closed design kidney grille
• 19-inch BMW alloy wheels
• LifeDrive design

When you look like a car from the future, might as well have all the safety tech from the present and a few crazy new ones too. The perimeter alarm, tire pressure warning, and emergency SOS just emphasize the fact that BMW is aiming for the crown in the safety department. The IIHS folks are tough critics when it comes to car safety but the I3 has managed to impress them as well. The only places where it could possibly improve would be the quality of head restraints and child seat anchors as seen below: But NHTSA didn’t rate the I3. Here is a detailed list of all the tech goodies used for your safety in the 2017 BMW I3:

• BMW Assist Call Emergency Sos
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

BMW I3 vs Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf was born for one purpose: to make electric cars suitable to be driven on a day-to-day basis with extended range and practicality. Though it hasn't been a very appealing car to go for, it has done its job quite well and posed as one of the most usable electric hatchbacks of the current decade.

An 80kw AC motor linked to a one-speed transmission is what keeps the Leaf running and it pumps out 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. It makes up for the lack of performance through its comfort and practicality which is exactly where the I3 comes short. It starts off at just $30,680 but it is not to be confused with a luxury hatch in any manner…

BMW I3 vs Ford Focus Electric

Do you ever wonder why the Brits and Europeans keep comparing every new hatchback they see to the Ford Focus Hybrid? It's simply because the car is the perfect mix of fun, practical and efficient and its electric sibling couldn't possibly disappoint the market then…

Despite being heavier than the I3, it still manages to take you around corners with confidence and the steering feedback is almost similar to what you'd get from a regular Focus. It seats 5 passengers comfortably and has a very ergonomic interior design. A 107kw electric motor propels the Focus forward with 143 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque which isn't on par with the I3 but is pretty much sufficient for a car of its size. It is the cheapest car in its class at $29,120 and is a much better car than the I3.

BMW I3 vs Volkswagen E-Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is the undisputed king of hatchbacks ever since it was introduced to the public in the early 70s. It is the greatest example that a sensible car doesn't have to be boring in any way and the Golf's new electric version could only be expected to make the same statement with its new powertrain.

Under the hood, there's an incredibly efficient 100 kW electric motor making 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque which means that it pulls harder than the I3 thanks to the extra torque. Compared to regular Golf, it may be less fun to drive but it isn't exactly dull. The price starts off at a very reasonable $30,495.

The BMW I3 is a promise to driving enthusiasts that an eco-friendly future doesn't have to be entirely boring. This little Beemer is a cheeky, fun little thing having enough "oomph" to put a smile on your face unlike most of its rivals. It has state of the art safety features mixed with unmatched performance and all that is complemented by the futuristic design that never ceases to capture the attention of bystanders wherever you take it. Sure, it is more expensive and not very practical but thinks of it as a common man's i8 for city streets and then it just might start making some sense…