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

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks
Wells Vertige
Features

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks

Robin Wells fancied a new sports car so decided to build his own. The result is the Wells Vertige, and now you can have one too
28 Apr 2026
Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head
Bugatti Tourbillon – side
News

Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head

Mate Rimac joins forces with investment firm to take full control of hypercar company
24 Apr 2026
New Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake review – a good electric car, if not a thrilling driver’s car
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake front
Reviews

New Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake review – a good electric car, if not a thrilling driver’s car

Mercedes-Benz keeps the Shooting Brake alive with the new CLA – it’s practical, efficient and refined, if not massively fun
28 Apr 2026