2014 BMW i3 First Drive

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited September 2014 in BMW

image2014 BMW i3 First Drive

This 2014 BMW i3 Road Test on Edmunds.com includes information about this electric car's range, charge time, driving experience, interior and pricing.

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  • nikomannikoman Member Posts: 2
    Finally, an electric car from a luxury brand with decent acceleration. I want one.
  • mercedesfanmercedesfan Member Posts: 365
    I'm happy to see more companies throw their hats in the EV ring, particularly when they do it well, but the i3 has got to be one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen. Newsflash BMW: the reason Tesla is doing so well (heck a large part of the reason I bought one) is that their cars look great. They aren't trying to be different for the sake of being different. BMW severely limited the potential appeal of the i3 by styling it so controversially, regardless of how fantastic it may be.
  • nninni Member Posts: 4
    Exact reason I hate expensive (tesla prime example) for EV.

    Normal consumer (90%) want 90 to 120 mile EV in price range of $35k (if 7500 rebate applied $27.5k).

    I like the look so far (close to final production look) with BMW logo. It should be better compare to volt, leaf & spark EV.

    We have to wait for i8 to compare with tesla (another time)
  • drjohn43drjohn43 Member Posts: 0
    The i3 looks like the ugly offspring of a union between a Fiat 500 and a Honda Element. Would anybody buy it if it weren't electric? Speaking of electric cars, in 25 years they will be looked upon as the Neanderthal line of automotive evolution. The true future lies in the hydrogen fuel cell, not in batteries, which are ultimately dependent on fossil fuel energy sources. This ugly duckling is just the latest iteration of a misguided cause. It needs to stay unplugged.
  • empoweredbcempoweredbc Member Posts: 50
    Looks pretty strange, but sounds great, in practice. I would be surprised at anything south of $40k, and closer to $50k is more likely. But if it is faster than a Volt and more enjoyable than a Prius or Leaf, welcome!
  • darthbimmerdarthbimmer Member Posts: 606
    The handling seems promising, but why does it have to look fugly like the Mitsubishi iMiev? The Tesla S is selling well because it looks and drives like a German luxury-sport sedan. BMW should be able to own this category. All they have to do is build an EV that looks like a BMW and drives like a BMW. People would line up to buy that.
  • mayhemmmayhemm Member Posts: 6
    "The question that remains is: Are customers ready for a BMW without an engine?"

    But it does (can) have an engine; 650cc 2-cylinder, remember?

    The existence of this option tells me BMW is not committing itself to EVs and this is just a "Me too" product.
  • throwbackthrowback Member Posts: 445
    I'm looking forward to test driving one. If only it wasn't so homely. I assume the range is infinite with the range extender, not just double the mileage of the EV only version.
  • anthony512anthony512 Member Posts: 8
    I like this car. I would buy it.
  • anthony512anthony512 Member Posts: 8
    We need more vehicles like this, NOW. I'm dreaming of the day gas stations will be a relic.
  • coolb944coolb944 Member Posts: 0
    For all the talk of the interior, we don't get a single picture at least?

    I'll echo previous comments. The reason the Tesla Model S is doing well is because it isn't just eye-catching, it's genuinely elegant and gorgeous. On top of that it can be had with a pretty sizable mileage range and drives quite nicely.

    The i3 sounds like a decent vehicle, but it's style is a little polarizing, and the range isn't anything to write home about when considering other EVs on the market. Other than having to have a BMW badge and being able to tout some exotic construction, what really makes this BMW all that special? What makes someone want to buy this vehicle?
  • cjasiscjasis Member Posts: 274
    To those who are comparing the Tesla Model S, I suggest that the comparison is ill advised given the different price points. To those who are bashing the looks, I suggest you take a look at the butt ugly Prius which is anything but a market failure.

    Here in CA there is a sizable minority who want to be clearly identified as "green" and they want to be seen in cars which are clearly catering to that image. Moreover, this state stupidly subsidizes the purchase (or lease) of these vehicles in multiple ways (up front and then also by offering access to HOV lanes).

    The i3 doesn't interest me in the least but if they really bring it to market for $40,000 (which isn't too far off from a Prius plug in or Ford C-max Energi, then I won't be surprised if these don't sell quite well... especially here in CA. Plus, if these lower the idiotiic CAFE standards imposed on BMW and allow them to continue to build M cars...then I applaud the effort.
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  • cotakcotak Member Posts: 89
    Few things...

    1) Hydrogen fuel cells are still going to need energy somewhere to make the hydrogen for mass market. And where do you think the energy comes from?

    2) This is ugly. More so than the Prius which while not the best looking isn't offensive. Plus you have to remember that Toyota never is a brand you go to for looks or being cool. They had to launch Scion for that remember? While it's good BMW wants to build electric cars do they really need to market this as a BMW? Why not call it a mini?

    3) Where's the not too expensive electric that doesn't look silly, and isn't a bore to drive? Still does not exist.
  • eek4evereek4ever Member Posts: 0
    I think you will be the one looked upon as the Neanderthal 25 years from now with that comment. Have you heard of nuclear power or renewable energy?
  • themandarinthemandarin Member Posts: 436
    Looks like a turd (esp in brown)
  • travaitravai Member Posts: 14
    Oh, come on. It's a rad little thing! Thumbs up if you'd take this over the Mini, Leaf, or Smart.
  • 4sallypat4sallypat Member Posts: 49
    If the i3 was as attractive as the i8 but smaller, I'd get one. BMW needs to make the vehicle's exterior more pleasing. Being a BMW loyal owner, I can say my next car will be the X1 or X3 which has better elegance and styling.
  • jeffinohjeffinoh Member Posts: 156
    The packaging is cool with the 2 motors in the rear. The construction is innovative. The interior is gorgeous-although BMW refuses to provide 2 real cup holders in front of any car... but those looks! Ugh. BMW made their reputation with odd styling, but I think E-car buyers have to compromise so much already. They have to give up looks too???
  • zoomzoomnzoomzoomn Member Posts: 143
    Don't love the styling...at all. Do like the technology, but they need to get a real extender in there and get the range up to at least 350 miles.
  • duck87duck87 Member Posts: 649
    Question: How do they intend to recycle this car when it's at end of life? The thing about steel and aluminum is that they have high recovery rates (95%+). But carbon fiber? That's one and done. Not an issue if you have low volume production cars like Aventadors (that are not often scrapped), but if the intention is to use this technology for mass produced cars, they need a solution.
  • duck87duck87 Member Posts: 649
    Also: Who said that just because it has to be "unique", it can be made ugly? If Tesla can come out with a beautiful looking car, I don't know what BMW's excuse is particularly as they just came out with the well-proportioned 4-series.
  • peterjaxpeterjax Member Posts: 1
    I applaud BMW for this effort, but electric cars are just not there yet for me. I often travel, so a 100 mile range just doesn't cut it. In a conventional car you can travel 400 to 500 miles and refuel in a matter of minutes. The loaner car idea sounds interesting, but even if well implemented could be a bother. We need longer ranges and quick recharge options. The technology will get there eventually, but until then, this car is of very limited use for me.
  • themandarinthemandarin Member Posts: 436
    The beginning of the end for Tesla
  • stineystiney Member Posts: 28
    Almost all current BMWs are either ugly or boring looking. This at least is distinctive. That said, German cars are OFTEN plagued with electrical gremlins.... not sure that a German electric car is the safest bet for getting you where you need to be.
  • gtfrank1gtfrank1 Member Posts: 16
    The I3 seem like a wonderful Electric. The very limited Spark ev is just as fast and efficient for half the price. From the reviews it is FUN to drive also. I am positive almost anyone would rather have the I3. GM easily matched its performance vs efficiency with conventional means.
  • anotherdrunkanotherdrunk Guest Posts: 30
    edited March 2015
    stiney said:

    Almost all current BMWs are either ugly or boring looking. This at least is distinctive. That said, German cars are OFTEN plagued with electrical gremlins.... not sure that a German electric car is the safest bet for getting you where you need to be.


    ridiculous

    sounds like my 87 year old dad talkin' 'bout yesterdecade

    or

    he had a bmw 47 years ago and it broke down once so all bmws are bad
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