Used 2019 BMW i3 Base for sale 

The 2019 BMW i3 is offered in two trim choices the base trim and the i3s trim. The i3s trim is basically the sporty version of the base trim with few cosmetic enhancements to differentiate itself from the base trim. BMW doesn't provide a lot of fancy features in the i3 instead it offers them in the form of a number of packages and options. As standard, the BMW i3 packs in features like multi-function steering wheel, rain sensors, central armrest, automatic headlights, folding anti-dazzle mirrors, automatic air conditioning, cruise control with brake function, heated front seats, and BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system. Optional features list includes an Apple CarPlay, park-assist package, and electric glass sunroof.

Trim to Choose

There is not much of a choice in terms of trims and features as there are only two trims on offer. The base trim starts at $44,000 and offers a 10.2” touchscreen, 19” alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, and cloth upholstery as standard. The other trim i.e. i3s command a $3,200 premium over the base trim and adds features like  20” alloy wheels and a performance bump. So we recommend going for the topmost trim as the price difference is not much and why to cheap out on a fairly priced car by BMW standard of course.

For 2019, the BMW i3 EV packs in a lithium-ion battery of 42 kWh capacity and has a potential range of 153 miles. The electric motor puts out 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque right from the start. All the power is channeled to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. While the zipper i3s is rated for close to 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque; with an official range of 153 miles for this model. Thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque, the i3 picks up the pace with ease and manages a 0-60 mph sprint in 7.2 seconds. The i3 does the same in 6.9 seconds due to its more powerful motors, while top speed increases from 93 mph to 99 mph. 

The i3 is the second-best performer in terms of power and torque figure just behind the Bolt. In this comparison, Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf are close competitors in terms of power. The i3 loses to all in terms of torque figure with only 184 pound-feet of torque on offer but makes up for it with its lighter weight. 

Acceleration

The 2019 BMW i3 sends all its power to the rear wheels only. It puts out around 170 hp and184 pound-feet of torque to the tarmac in an instant. The lightweight i3 zips like anything and can quickly cover short gaps. But again it has its limitations and it isn't meant to be driven hard. The i3 manages a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds and takes another 8.3 seconds to cover the quarter-mile.

The i3 isn’t the fastest accelerating but the competition is very closely contested with the Bolt followed by the Leaf. Ioniq is the slowest of all tailing the Leaf which does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. While we don’t have the quarter-mile figures for the Bolt and Leaf yet, if we compare the Ioniq and i3 then the i3 fares far better between the two.

Ride and Handling

Being a BMW the i3 offers a fun-to-drive experience. It offers a commanding driving position and has excellent overall visibility. The nimble i3 is very easy to maneuver in and around traffic and tight parking space isn't something you would be concerned about anymore in this car. The steering feels connected and well-weighted and the BMW i3 maintains its line very well.

The skinny rubber offers a surprisingly well-balanced ride but we prefer thicker rubber for plush ride quality. This is further accentuated by the fact that the suspension has a short travel and there is a sufficient amount of body roll. So driving the BMW i3 in a sedate way is the best option unless you are looking for some adrenaline rush and cheap thrills.

Braking

The BMW i3 comes with an 11-inches rotor at the front and an 11-inches rotor at the rear. The setup may appear not that great on paper, but the braking force is sufficient and easy to modulate thanks to the regenerative braking. The setup is well-tuned and progressive. The regenerative braking is neither r too intrusive nor very sharp to make things not so comfortable. Also, its lower curb weight helps it to shed speed in no time

The i3 is the best when it comes to braking and takes 177 feet to come from 70 mph to standstill which is better than the rivals. Even though it has the smallest brakes in comparison the car’s lightweight helps it to shed speed very quickly.

The 2019 BMW i3 comes with an updated battery pack and now provides up to 129 miles of city electric range in all trim levels. That’s good enough for small commutes and city travels. The i3 has an EPA estimated MPGe of 129 in the city, 106 on the highway, and 118 combined. While juicing i3 from “empty” to 100 percent at takes close to around 20 hours from the household supply. While with the  Level 2 charger the charging time drops to 6.5 hours and with the DC fast charging you can do the same in 1.4 hours. 

The Hyundai Ioniq is the most efficient EV in this comparison and what helps it is the usage of Clever Technologies like Regenerative Braking that boosts performance and output without consuming more electricity. The BMW i3 and the Chevrolet Bolt however manage to come a close second but still have some ground to catch up, when compared to the Ioniq’s class-leading range.

The 2019 BMW i3 is a compact car so expecting a very spacious cabin or something accommodative won't be just here. The BMW i3 offers seating for four and still manages to have a usable boot space. This in itself is an achievement considering its size. The front cabin is spacious and offers great visibility upfront but the rear seats are wherever you start feeling its size.

The rear is tight and the legroom offered is 31.9-inches which is far less than what its rivals have to offer. Although the rear headroom of 37.2-inches is at par with others the 49.2-inches of shoulder room is of concern here. No doubt it is a four seater when rivals offer seating for up to five passengers. That said, the i3 is spacious and comfortable enough for small rides.

The i3 has a great set of front and rear seats with lots of comforts but in terms of space, it lacks far behind its competitors especially Nissan Leaf. Coming to the rear, the Rear Passengers won't be the happiest in the rear seats as it feels cramped. The overall Cabin space feels a little less as compared to what the competition offers but isn't a deal-breaker as such.

Infotainment

The 2019 BMW i3 comes with an updated infotainment system for the 2019 model year.

The standard setup offers a 10-inch screen that runs on the latest iDrive system from the BMW. Other standard features include Bluetooth and USB connectivity, smartphone’s voice control, native language support, navigation etc Optional feature includes a 16-speaker Harman and Kardon sound system,

Standard infotainment features: 

• A 10” screen with iDrive touch controller
• 4 Speakers 
• 2 LCD Monitors In The Front
• 16-speaker Harman and Kardon sound system (available)

Interior Features

The cabin of the i3 has used a lot of sustainable woods and eco-friendly material to ensure that it remains an environment-friendly car in a true sense. Get inside the cabin and the first thing you see is the high-set driver’s seat and a pair of large infotainment screens – one ahead of the driver and one above the dashboard for infotainment. The i3 offers a lot of customization options for the cabin with a choice of wooden, metallic, cloth, and leather trims. The overall impression of the i3's cabin is better compared to the rivals.

Cargo Capacity

The BMW i3 comes with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seatbacks and 36.9 cubic feet if you fold the rear seatbacks down. That’s enough space for short grocery runs and a pair of carry-on bags for a short vacation for two. Other cars in the segment offer a much more generous cargo space and the BMW i3 does lose out on the practicality point here.

The i3 doesn’t get the biggest and the best cargo capacity and with 15.1 cubic feet on offer; it's far behind either Hyundai’s or Nissan’s 23.0 and 23.6 cubic feet respectively. But with the option of 50/50-split rear seats, the seats can be folded to accommodate odd-shaped luggage and liberate more space for cargo hauling.

The BMW i3 has subtle BMW design cues starting with the front you get the signature kidney grille and a rather quirky-looking front. The wheelbase has been stretched to maximize the available space and liberate as much space as possible inside the cabin. The rear has a squatted look and comes with a rather short overhang giving it an oddball look. Although the design looks futuristic and nothing like any other BMW car except for the front grille, it is a hit-or-miss kind of thing. That said, irrespective of the exterior color you choose you will get a black roof.

Exterior Dimensions

The BMW i3 measures just 158.3” long, 69.9” wide, and 62.9” tall. It rides on a very small 101.2” wheelbase. It also weighs anywhere between 2,965 and 3,040 pounds depending on the model and specified equipment.

These figures are shorter than the Chevy Bolt EV and the Nissan Leaf. It is roughly as wide and as tall, though, (give or take an inch), so it’s really the length that’s noteworthy here. In terms of garage storage, even a small one-car garage will suit the BMW i3 well, with plenty of room to spare for the toolbox. On a side note, the BMW i3 is significantly lighter, even in its heaviest form, than either three in the comparison.

The i3 is the smallest hatchback of all in this comparison. But these give the car nimbleness which makes zipping through city traffic a breeze but compromises upon the leg space for the passengers. In this comparison, Hyundai and Nissan come with similar dimensions which are better than their peers.

Exterior Features

Key highlights of the exterior features include:

• 20" alloy wheels
• Power  and Heated Side Mirrors with Driver Auto Dimming
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Wipers with Heated Jets
• Lip Spoiler
• Reverse Opening Rear Doors
• Fully Automatic Projector Beam Led Headlamps
• LED Brakelights

The BMW i3 hasn't been tested by the NHTSA yet and as for the IIHS, the results are not very confidence inspiring discouraging. The IIHS gave the BMW i3 a rating of “Good” scores but rated the i3’s head restraints as “Acceptable”. The i3 also missed the Top Safety Pick award which its rival the Bolt EV got. 

Standard advanced safety features:

• Automated emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward-collision warning
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Lane-keeping assist (available)
• Evasive-steering assistance (available)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (available)

BMW i3 Vs Hyundai Ioniq Electric

The Hyundai Ioniq just by its sheer practicality trumps over the BMW i3. To make things more clear the Ioniq not only has a better range and rear seats but is also very comfortable compared to the i3.

The BMW i3 on the other hand has a plush and upscale interior to offer. But only this won't help you pick the pricier BMW i3 against the well-priced Hyundai Ioniq. Other than the badge value there is no compelling reason to go for the i3.

BMW i3 Vs Chevrolet Bolt EV

Just like every other hatchback in this comparison, the Chevrolet Bolt is also a much better offering compared to the BMW i3. It’s not only has a better range but also offers more power compared to the i3. Except for the better-looking cabin, the overpriced BMW i3 hardly has anything to counter the onslaught of the Chevrolet Bolt.

BMW i3 Vs Nissan Leaf 

The Nissan Leaf might not be a premium-looking car in front of the BMW i3 but there is hardly any customer who needs that at this price point. The Nissan Leaf is more spacious, has an extended-range variant, and is much cheaper to maintain and own compared to the BMW i3. The i3 might give you exclusivity while on the road but the Leaf would ensure a peaceful and budget-friendly ownership experience.

The BMW i3 is not a car that will be preferred by the majority of the segment customers. Few might be swayed by the badge value but it is this veil that has kept this car going up till now. The BMW's lackluster attitude towards updating this car shows how much the brand itself cares for the i3. As it is very clear from this review the i3 has nothing special under its belt to offer the customer over its rival there is no reason whatsoever to buy this car.