BMW i3 Review (2026): 566 Miles, 469hp and the First Electric 3 Series

Source: BMW UK

What Is the BMW i3?

The i3 is BMW's electric evolution of its most successful model, the 3 Series. It is the second car in the Neue Klasse generation, after the iX3, and it is sold with a choice of battery sizes and trim levels, alongside its petrol sibling. At launch it is a saloon, with a touring estate to follow.

What makes the BMW i3 special:

• The first electric 3 Series, and the eighth generation of BMW's compact executive saloon
• A class-leading range of up to 566 miles, a credit to all electric cars
• 263 miles of range in just ten minutes on a 400kW charger
• Bidirectional charging that powers up to three devices at once, from an electric bike to a coffee machine
• A 4.7-second 0-62mph time from the 50 xDrive, in the same ballpark as the E46 M3 CSL
• A panoramic driver's display that runs from pillar to pillar, BMW's Operating System X and Amazon Alexa+ AI
• A battery built into the car's structure to reduce weight and increase rigidity

What Does the BMW i3 Look Like?

You can clearly see the hallmark 3 Series proportions: a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a sloping roofline. It is not as dramatic as the concept car, but Vicki finds the finished result pretty flash in the flesh. In her words, it is smart, snazzy and totally befitting of its badge.

• A super-wide grille, with traditional twin headlights at either end of a wide bonnet and a chin that drips down to the floor
• Flush door handles that emerge from their resting position as you approach
• Wheel arches that bulge out beautifully towards the rear, before a contrastingly sharp back end
• Horizontal tail lights and a distinct lack of tailpipes
• Eleven paint colours at launch, including Le Castellet Blue, which is unique to the i3
• Upgrade packages and performance parts, with red or blue brake calipers and different wheels

How Much Boot Space Does the BMW i3 Have?

Luggage space is class-average rather than class-leading, at 420 litres. The petrol 3 Series offers 30 litres more, because of the different way that car is packaged. The i3 claws a little back with a further 31 litres under the bonnet, enough for a couple of supermarket bags.

The rear seats fold in a 40-20-40 split, a helpful combination when carrying a mix of people and packages. The Mercedes-Benz CLA offers a whopping 101 litres in its front boot, enough for four or five supermarket bags.

How Does the BMW i3 Drive?

Driving Feel and Handling

Driving the i3 is like sliding into a familiar pair of slippers. With her eyes closed, Vicki can sense she is in a 3 Series, which she calls an incredible feat of design and engineering. The feel through the pedals, seat and steering wheel is as natural as she could hope for in an electric car, and Sport mode is the best setting, tightening the seat around you so everything feels alert and ready for action.

The car's driving dynamics are controlled by a system BMW aptly calls Heart of Joy. It manages the power delivery, regenerative braking and driving data to make the car as agile and poised as possible. It is an all-wheel-drive system with power going to all four corners, but you can turn the traction control off to make it more rear-wheel-drive biased and have a little fun.

Performance and Power Delivery

In a straight line the figures are respectable rather than startling. The entry-level 40 xDrive reaches 62mph in 5.4 seconds, and the current flagship 50 xDrive does it in 4.7 seconds. That is a similar ballpark to one of Vicki's favourite ever 3 Series, the E46 M3 CSL.

Specification	BMW i3
Version	40 xDrive | 50 xDrive
0-62 mph	5.4 seconds | 4.7 seconds
Battery	82.8kWh or 108.7kWh

The acceleration might not be eye-popping, but the range most certainly is.

Ride Comfort and Cabin Noise

The suspension copes with a weight of at least 2,090kg, a few hundred kilograms more than the petrol versions. The standard setup does a really good job of keeping the car supple over the majority of lumps and bumps. On more concrete-based roads, however, noise does intrude a little into the cabin. More demanding drivers may prefer the optional adaptive M suspension, but Vicki says the standard setup is honestly good.

Range and Charging

There is a choice of two batteries, a smaller 82.8kWh unit or the larger 108.7kWh. The battery is part of the car's structure, which reduces weight and increases torsional rigidity, a boost to the handling. The i3 can cover 566 miles between charges, which Vicki calls a credit not only to BMW but to all electric cars. At the moment only one car goes further, a luxury limo from a different league: the Mercedes-Benz EQS.        

Bidirectional charging turns the car into a mobile power bank, so an electric bike, electric guitar and coffee machine can all run at once. It could even power your home for a couple of weeks, although the infrastructure isn't quite there yet in the UK.

What Is the BMW i3 Interior Like?

Panoramic Display and Operating System X

The centrepiece is the panoramic driver's display, which stretches from pillar to pillar and was first seen in the i3's SUV sibling, the iX3. It can be configured to show whatever suits your tastes and trips, and behind it sits BMW's latest Operating System X, which lets you treat the car as a mobile office. You can also watch films or play Pac-Man, and there is plenty of BMW content to keep you hooked. You may not want to leave the cabin.

Voice Assistant and Driver Aids

There is every driver aid you could wish for, from a first-class head-up display to a sophisticated cruise control system with hands-free operation. A voice-controlled, self-learning personal assistant uses Amazon's Alexa+ AI technology for conversation or for help with things like winding down a window or looking up a diary entry once you have synced up your tech.

Seats and Cabin Design

The overall design is very clean and relatively uncluttered, and Vicki is pleased that the designers have found room for an easy-access volume control. The standard seats grip well enough, but optional sports seats have a slim base that brings your hips down, as close to the ergonomics of a traditional 3 Series as can be mimicked when you are sitting on top of a skateboard of batteries. They are better than standard and give extra headroom for taller drivers.

The windscreen is deep and wide, and the A-pillars are refreshingly slim, so visibility is really good. An optional panoramic sunroof brings light throughout the cabin.

Rear Seats

The sunroof creates a welcome sense of space in the back. There is room for three, so long as the person in the middle is slim-hipped, and if not, pull the armrest down. It has a couple of cupholders, and two six-footers can easily sit in the rear with headroom to spare, even behind a six-foot driver.

The door bins are a really good size, which is just as well as there is no storage behind the seats. There is a fixing point for an extra screen, and the front headrests, which Vicki says look like a stormtrooper's helmet, move forwards and back.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the BMW i3 Have?

Buyers can choose between 19-, 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels, including an aerodynamic design. The wheels on the test car are 20-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyres. The star marking on the sidewall shows the tyre has been developed and approved in collaboration with BMW.

Bridgestone Turanza 6

Bridgestone says the Turanza 6 has been engineered to deliver best-in-class wet performance while maintaining confident grip and balanced performance in both wet and dry conditions, as well as superior mileage.

Refinement matters in an electric car, as there is no engine to mask tyre noise. Vicki noted some road noise in the i3's cabin on concrete roads, which tyre choice can influence. Bridgestone's performance claims are manufacturer claims based on its own testing.

What Do Drivers Say? Tyre Reviews on DriverReviews

The Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyre has been reviewed by over 2,500 verified drivers on DriverReviews, earning an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. The tyre also won best tyre for family cars in the DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards.

DriverReviews provides thousands of tyre reviews covering all the top brands, written by drivers who use them every day, so you can compare real-world grip, noise and tyre life before you buy.

• Thousands of tyre reviews across all the top brands
• The winners of the DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards
• Video reviews on the DriverReviews YouTube channel

How Does the New BMW i3 Compare with Rivals?

BMW i3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: Range or Practicality?

The electric Mercedes-Benz CLA is an alternative for buyers considering the new BMW i3. The CLA offers a larger front boot: 101 litres compared with the BMW’s 31 litres. However, the i3 has a slightly larger rear boot, with 420 litres against the CLA’s 405 litres.

The BMW i3 50 xDrive combines a claimed range of up to 566 miles with 469 hp and a 0–62 mph time of 4.7 seconds. Its appeal goes beyond the figures: in our review, Vicki Butler-Henderson explores whether the electric saloon retains the driving feel that has defined the BMW 3 Series. Read our Mercedes-Benz CLA review for our verdict on the Mercedes alternative.

BMW i3 vs Petrol BMW 3 Series: Should You Go Electric?

The new BMW i3 makes a strong case for switching to electric, particularly if you can charge at home. The i3 50 xDrive offers up to 566 miles of official WLTP range, although real-world range will vary with speed, weather and driving conditions.

The new petrol BMW 3 Series has a larger rear boot: 450 litres compared with the i3’s 420 litres. However, the i3 adds a separate 31-litre front storage compartment, bringing its combined storage capacity to 451 litres.

Driving feel remains an important distinction. Vicki praises the i3’s recognisable 3 Series character, while finding that petrol still has the edge for driver engagement. For buyers weighing up the two, charging access, journey patterns and the driving experience matter alongside the headline range.

How Does the BMW i3’s Range Compare with Larger Electric Saloons?

The BMW i3 50 xDrive’s claimed range of up to 566 miles makes long-distance capability one of its strongest selling points. Larger luxury electric saloons, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS, provide useful context for that figure, although they occupy a different part of the market.

For buyers considering an electric executive saloon, the more useful comparison is the official WLTP range of the specific versions on their shortlist, alongside charging speed, price and practicality.

BMW i3 vs Tesla Model 3: Which Electric Saloon Should You Choose?

The Tesla Model 3 is an obvious alternative to the new BMW i3 for buyers considering an electric saloon. The BMW i3 50 xDrive makes its case with a claimed WLTP range of up to 566 miles, 469 hp and a 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

But the choice goes beyond range and acceleration. Price, practicality, charging access and how you get on with each car’s controls all deserve consideration. The BMW’s central question is whether going electric preserves the appeal of a 3 Series - and Vicki Butler-Henderson’s first drive finds a reassuringly familiar character behind the wheel.

Is the BMW i3 Worth Buying?

The BMW i3 leads the way when it comes to range, and it is packed with technology. The 3 Series family is famed for being the essence of BMW, and although Vicki says no electric car can yet quite match the engagement and involvement a petrol car gives her, the i3 is an incredible credit to its clan.

The case for the BMW i3:

• A genuine 3 Series driving feel, with natural controls and an agile chassis
• A class-leading range of up to 566 miles
• 263 miles added in ten minutes on a 400kW charger
• Bidirectional charging that powers up to three devices at once
• A clean, technology-packed cabin with good visibility and room for two six-footers in the back

Before you buy:

• Boot space is class-average at 420 litres, and the front boot is small at 31 litres
• Road noise can intrude into the cabin on concrete roads
• It weighs a few hundred kilograms more than the petrol 3 Series
• No electric car can yet quite match the engagement of a petrol one