It's no secret that new electric vehicles are getting bigger and increasingly expensive. If you want an affordable, electrified car perfect for city driving, look no further than the 2021 BMW i3. It’s available in four trim levels, including the 2021 BMW i3 Range Extender with an added gas-powered engine that enhances the driving range. The BMW i3 debuted in 2014 when few electrified vehicles were on the market. The automaker ceased production in 2021 when EV drivers were turning to larger options from Tesla, BMW, and Chevrolet. Compared to modern EVs, the 2021 BMW i3 range is significantly lower, but it’s still a good little EV for daily commuting. If you plan to use your EV for road trips, you’d be better off choosing something like the spacious BMW i8 with more than double the range of the i3. It’s outfitted with one electric motor sitting atop the rear axle for standard rear-wheel drive. The 42.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is rather small, especially compared to new EVs with battery packs that are double the capacity. As an EV, the i3 has a single-speed motor and no transmission. It’s zippy, with a surprising amount of horsepower and torque, making it pleasing to drive. The punchy little two-door has a style that gets attention. Inside, it has a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and a single USB port. BMW does not include Android Auto in any i3 trims. The tiny EV earned decent safety ratings thanks to the suite of driver-assistance features that include adaptive headlights, a rearview camera, and parking sensors. Competition for the 2021 BMW i3 is limited, as other luxury EVs have noticeably longer ranges, more interior space, and mind-boggling torque. The closest in size and EV performance would be the MINI Cooper Electric, but its range is about 20 miles less as it has a 32.6-kWh battery pack. The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt is another small and affordably priced EV. It has a range of around 259 miles thanks to the 65-kWh battery pack.
While the 2021 BMW i3 horsepower isn’t anything to brag about, the electrified powertrain is surprisingly satisfying. Because EVs don’t have to cycle through the gears, acceleration is uninterrupted and quick. The 2021 BMW i3 delivers 168 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. You won’t take on a Tesla Plaid or any newer EVs, but you’ll get off the line quickly. If you need a bit more, you can upgrade to the BMW i3s with a performance-tuned suspension, 181 horsepower, and 199 lb-ft of torque. The base engine reaches 60 MPH in 6.6 seconds. For comparison purposes, the BMW i8 reaches 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds. The biggest issue with the BMW i3 is the range - which is the reason BMW stopped production in 2021. The base model gets 153 miles out of full charge, while the i3s gets 126 miles. The range-extender models have less range, but they use a gas-powered engine to get about 200 miles using the 2.4-gallon gas tank. Charging is best done at home with a Level 2 charger. The small battery pack takes about 15 hours to charge with a typical household outlet, while a 240-volt Level 2 charger fills the battery in about seven hours. You can charge the i3 with a fast DC charger, which takes about 20 minutes to fill the small battery. For comparison purposes, the massive BMW iX with a 105.2-kWh battery pack needs about 25 minutes to charge completely and gets nearly over 350 miles out of a full charge. See why the BMW i3 is better suited to short drives around town?
Regardless of the primitive electric powertrain, the 2021 BMW i3 has interior and exterior styling that fits with the BMW brand of athletic luxury - with a bit of modern funkiness included. The exterior has a futuristic, boxy, upright stance (a bit like BMW-owned MINI Coopers) but with a recognizable kidney grille and angular LED lights. BMW offered the i3 with two-toned color choices, often with black or gray as an accent color. The thin-spoked wheels with substantial tires give the i3 an aggressive yet aerodynamic look. Many models have subtle blue accents to show the world you’re driving an EV.
On the inside, the BMW i3 is designed with sustainable features made from recycled materials and natural fibers. The eco-friendly cloth upholstery is comfortable and high-end, while the wood accents and minimalist design give it a calm ambiance. The dash uses the BMW iDrive system with minimal knobs and buttons that enhance the minimalist look.
In 2021, the BMW i3 had a starting MSRP of $45,445, while the i3s started at $48,645. Adding the Range Extender gas engine upped the i3 and i3s to $49,295 and $53,495 respectively. Today, you can find pre-owned entry-level models at around $20,000, while Range Extender models top out in the low $ 30,000 range.
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