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

Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo
Lotus Esprit Turbo
In-depth reviews

Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo

The delicate but delicious Esprit was a supercar like no other. Here's everything you need to know and our drive of the Esprit Turbo
7 Sep 2026
The incoming BMW 3-series M350 will come with a straight-six and M3 power
2027 BMW 3 series testing
News

The incoming BMW 3-series M350 will come with a straight-six and M3 power

We all know the BMW 3-series is going electric with the new i3, but the combustion-powered model certainly hasn’t been forgotten… 
8 Sep 2026
Is it finally time for Honda and McLaren to build the ultimate hypercar?
Honda McLaren hypercar
Opinion

Is it finally time for Honda and McLaren to build the ultimate hypercar?

Driving a Honda NSX took Meaden right back to his earliest road-testing days, and inspired an idea...
8 Sep 2026