2016 BMW I3 Electric

header-image
$42,400 - $46,250
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 1, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Comfortable cabin.

No rear doors.

Remains unchanged for 2016.

Quick acceleration.

Significant body roll around corners.

Exceptional interior quality.

The range isn't satisfactory.

Easily maneuverable in the city.

Specs & Features

$42,400

price

170 hp

horsepower

184 lb.-ft.

torque

1-Speed Direct Drive

transmission

electric RWD 1A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Belonging to the subcompact hatchback segment, the 2016 BMW i3 carries all the qualities of a true electric vehicle. With a starting price of MSRP $42,400, the BMW i3 offers a single trim. This puts it in direct competition with cars like the Volkswagen eGolf and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive. There aren#39;t any powertrain options to explore here. The i3 is equipped with a single 125-kW electric motor setup with a rated power output of 170 horsepower. In a straight line, the i3 clocks a 0-60 of 6.6 seconds. A 22-kWh battery can be found here, which gives the i3 a range of 81 miles. While the powertrain leaves you devoid of choices, the choice is instead offered through the 6 beautiful colors available for the car.

Buying Advice

The 2016 BMW i3 is a punchy small-EV offered in a single trim but with some customization options to choose from. We would recommend getting the optional 20-inch double-spoke alloys on the exterior and the Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery on the inside.

Trims

    Base
    $42,400 onwards
    • Automatic Front air conditioning
    • Navigation system
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    • Sensatec leatherette Seat trim
    • Siriusxm FM/HD/Satellite
    Range Extender
    $46,250 onwards
    • Engine: electric RWD 1A
    • Horsepower: 170 hp @ 4800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft.
    • 0-60 mph: 7.98 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 39 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$42,400- $46,250

Engine

electric

Rating

8.17

Horsepower

170 hp @ 4800 rpm

Torque

184 lb.-ft.

Capacity

4

Read Review

$31,800

electric

8.04

111 hp

147 lb.-ft.

4

Read Review

$41,450

electric

7.27

177 hp

251 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$22,995

electric

6.82

66 hp @ 3000 rpm

145 lb.-ft.

4

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$29,010- $36,790

electric

7.84

107 hp

187 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$28,995- $35,595

electric

8.25

115 hp

199 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.4 sec16.7 sec88 mph
    9.4 sec--
    9.7 sec17.3 sec-
    9.93 sec13.9 sec135 mph
    13 sec23.2 sec91 mph

    2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      SourceCompare
      126 mpg105 mpg116 mpg
      126 mpg101 mpg114 mpg
      126 mpg99 mpg113 mpg
      121 mpg103 mpg112 mpg
      85 mpg82 mpg84 mpg

      2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        175 in.69.7 in.61 in.6.3 in.106.3 in.
        171.6 in.70.3 in.56.6 in.7 in.106.2 in.
        168.1 in.70.8 in.57.1 in.5 in.103.6 in.
        144.7 in.62.4 in.63.6 in.6.1 in.100.4 in.
        142.4 in.64.1 in.60.1 in.4.5 in.90.6 in.

        2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          7 cu.ft.78.6 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.
          22.8 cu.ft.93.5 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.
          21.6 cu.ft.-51.4 cu.ft.
          13.2 cu.ft.84.7 cu.ft.50.4 cu.ft.
          24 cu.ft.92.4 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.

          2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            50.4 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.50.4 cu.ft.
            52.7 cu.ft.22.8 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.
            51.4 cu.ft.21.6 cu.ft.51.4 cu.ft.
            30 cu.ft.24 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.7 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.

            2016 BMW I3 Electric vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -2980 lbs.
              -3924 lbs.
              939 lbs.3380 lbs.
              -2579 lbs.
              1021 lbs.3256 lbs.

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