The
‘2018’ re-fresh of BMW’s small EV ‘i’ car doesn’t mess with the recipe
too much, and after just four years on sale, there’s not much need to -
the i3 still manages to look forward-thinking and fashionable even
in mid-life.
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| 2020 BMW i3 |
But the new one manages to look ever-so-slightly better. And it really is just a tweak: a new silver roof line strip, different bumper tweaks fore and aft, and a few other little tucks. The motive source remains the same, a synchronous electric motor with a single gear drawing from a lithium-ion high-voltage battery with a capacity of 94Ah (33kWh). That means 170hp and peak torque of 184lb ft, 0-62mph in 7.3 and a top speed of 93mph. The official NEDC lab-range is 186-miles, less in the real-world and if you punish the performance, but enough.
If you want even more go - but a tad less range - then there’s also now the option of the i3S, a sportier i3. It gets a 14bhp/15lb ft power hike over the standard car’s outputs, a black roof swatch, different bumpers again, 10mm lower sports suspension, a 40mm wider track, 20mm-wider 20-inch wheels and black arches - which look pretty good. It even gets Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) that ‘enhances agility and enables controlled drifts’. And yes, it actually says that in the press material. About an i3.
Driving
If you want something with a bit more spice, then the i3S is also an option. It properly rockets away from the lights, and 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds doesn’t tell the story of 0-30mph where this car excels. You can leap ahead and tuck into traffic quickly and safely, and although the accelerative urge tails off fairly smartly after about 50mph, it’s everything good about EV delivery: instant, urgent, silent. And it really does feel much faster than the standard i3. In fact, nipping around in traffic is slightly startling: never has 14bhp made such a difference. And yes, it handles more neatly, feels more secure and can dispense with an enthusiastic roundabout without feeling like it’s going to tip over. No, it doesn’t ‘drift’, but it does tuck the nose in a little via its driven rear wheels, and that’s enough.
Exterior
The BMW i3 doesn’t even try to blend in. Its narrow
tires and tall body scream dorky, though its detailing is more in line
with what we expect from BMW.
We rate the 2020 i3 at 5 out of 10, with the point that we deduct for its homely exterior returned for its innovative interior.
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| bmw i3 exterior |
The i3’s exterior remains an acquired taste, though
at least it stands out in a parking lot. An update last year did little
to improve things. Lines seem to intersect willy-nilly, and the
ultra-tall, ultra-narrow tires that help reduce its rolling resistance
give it even more of a toy-like look than its bizarre lines.
A new RoadStyle limited edition version this year
includes attractive copper accents outside but does little to alleviate
the car’s relentless, um, specificity.
At least you don’t have to look at it from inside,
where the Scandinavian spa-like colors, surfaces, and materials do a
better job of pointing to the future. BMW installs gorgeous wood,
leather, and fabric trims that help the i3 justify its hefty price tag.
The big 10.2-inch touchscreen and steering column-mounted shifter look
otherworldly, too.
Interior
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| 2020 bmw i3 interior |
The interior of the i3 is possibly one of the best bits about it. Proper
seating for four and easy access via the rear suicide doors,
interesting shapes, textures, materials and tech. It really does play to
your early-adopter fantasies, and yet remains useable and logical. It’s
airy, and being able to see the grain on ‘recycled’ carbon structures
is a decent talking point. It’s fun without being wacky or gimmicky, and
is more practical than many in this segment. You also get a decent
chunk of standard equipment to go with the high list price: LED
headlights, BMW Professional Multimedia, Heated front seats, BMW
ConnectedDrive (BMW Emergency Call, BMW Navigation, BMW Online Services,
BMW Teleservices and Real Time Traffic Information). As ever with BMW,
if you want to pay for extras, you can. I’d recommend the auxiliary
cabin heating system, Park Assist package, i3 Plus package (19 inch BMW i
light alloy Turbine wheels, Sun protection glass, Online Entertainment,
Harman/Kardon loudspeaker system) and Park Assist Package (Reversing
assist camera, Park Distance Control (PDC), Park Assist). You could
probably live without the Driving assistant plus (Active cruise control
with Stop&Go, City collision mitigation, Forward collision warning,
Preventive pedestrian protection, Speed limit display, Traffic jam
assist). But if you’ve shelled out already…
Comfort & Quality
The 2020 BMW i3’s interior design is a few years old
now, but it still delights with excellent materials and design. It’s
just a shame that there’s not much space for cargo or rear-seat
passengers.
The 2020 i3 winds up with a 4 out of 10 on our scale.
Up front, thin but reasonably comfortable front seats
offer good outward vision. Row two is tricky to access, even with the
rear-hinged side doors, and there is less than 32 inches of leg room
available. Cargo space is 15 cubic feet, which is more in line with a
compact car than a tall hatchback, though the rear seats can be flopped
forward for 39 cubic feet of space.
Most versions of the i3 have beautiful, largely recycled
materials, though the i3s can feel comparatively dour with its
relentless black trim broken up only by splashes of bright blue.
Safety
Don’t expect the 2020 BMW i3 to be crash-tested any
time soon. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has weighed in on how the car
would perform in a wreck.
The 2020 i3 comes with what we consider the bare
minimum in terms of safety equipment. Automatic emergency braking and
adaptive cruise control are part of a pricey $2,000 option package, and
they’re items standard on rivals costing half as much.
At least outward vision is good and the car is easy to park thanks to a high-resolution rearview camera.
Our Verdict
The i3 remains the best premium small EV out there. Hard to argue against. Just be prepared to pay proper money
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