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

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is more powerful and cheaper than BMW's M3
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
News

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is more powerful and cheaper than BMW's M3

The CLA 45 is no more expensive than the old A45 but with 671bhp, is obviously way more potent
28 Aug 2026
Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s
Cupra Leon
In-depth reviews

Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s

The choice of full-sized front-drive hot hatches now doesn’t include the Civic Type R. Can the Cupra Leon VZ take the top spot?
25 Aug 2026
Ferrari 458 (2009 - 2015) review – the last and best supercar of its kind
Ferrari 458 Italia
In-depth reviews

Ferrari 458 (2009 - 2015) review – the last and best supercar of its kind

Few supercars have aged so gracefully; the Ferrari 458 remains thrilling, engaging and deeply desirable today
28 Aug 2026