Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW i3 review – the city car perfected? - Design

The BMW i3 is a genuinely impressive take on the electric city car.

Evo rating
  • Brilliant performance, great interior, stand-out looks
  • Range extender engine noisy, limited range without it

Design

Nothing else on the road looks like the BMW i3, yet thanks to (blanked off) kidney grilles, 'hooded' front lights and a unique take on the company's characteristic Hofmeister kink, it's unmistakably a BMW. It's not conventionally pretty, but it grabs more attention than any Lamborghini. That's despite a gangly appearance when viewed dead on front or rear.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The black bonnet, unique side glass, lack of rear door handles and the seamless rear end distract the eye though and the detailing in the rear lights is just gorgeous. At 3999mm long it's some 300mm shorter than a Volkswagen Golf, but it's about the same width, surprisingly. That's disguised by the 120mm higher roof on the i3, giving it more headroom, but also a rangy look at times.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MST Mk1 Evo is an extreme Ford Escort road rally recreation
MST Mk1 Evo front
News

MST Mk1 Evo is an extreme Ford Escort road rally recreation

MST’s Mk1 Evo is a tarmac rally weapon that only vaguely resembles a Ford Escort
7 Jul 2026
Alpine A290 and Renault 5 get rally-style body kits from exhaust icon Milltek
Milltek Alpine A290
News

Alpine A290 and Renault 5 get rally-style body kits from exhaust icon Milltek

The A290 and R5 don’t have an exhaust to upgrade, so Milltek has turned to modifying the bodywork
10 Jul 2026
New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 revealed – baby AMG now has McLaren-baiting performance
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
News

New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 revealed – baby AMG now has McLaren-baiting performance

It might be electric but the new CLA 45 has synthesised engine sounds and gears to maximise driver involvement in its fight against Hyundai's Ioniq 6 …
9 Jul 2026