BMW i3 2017 new car review

With eye-catching looks and green credentials, the BMW i3 is the ideal choice for forward-thinking individuals or drivers looking for a zippy and efficient city car.

The electric car is unlike any other small hatchback in the market. It's built from reinforced plastic, making it very lightweight, and features backwards opening rear doors.

BMW has boosted the battery capacity and added a model without a range-extending petrol engine - it's now capable of rapid charging. Most models sold in New Zealand to date feature a two-cylinder engine underneath the back seat to charge the i3’s battery and extend the range.

BMW was an early player in New Zealand’s growing market for electric cars and the futuristic i3 was its first. It was well received by critics and won the 2015 New Zealand Car of the Year award.

There are no traditional gauges - just a small LCD panel on the steering column and large panoramic screen for the standard satellite navigation, infotainment, and vehicle system controls. Despite the huge screen, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

The system will talk to your mobile phone through a special app that allows you to set the climate control while the car is charging, set charging schedules and unlock the vehicle remotely. The main screen is controlled using BMW’s iDrive dial.

Inside, the i3 is trimmed in environmentally friendly materials, including wool, bamboo and eucalyptus wood. Our test vehicle featured a light tan colour scheme, helping create a feeling of openness. A sunroof, split into left and right sections, is an option.

At the front is BMW’s traditional kidney grille, while the sides feature a unique window line, which helps break up the slab-like side of the car. The boot is small and there is no underfloor storage thanks to the batteries underneath. There is a small storage area under the bonnet, occupied by the portable charging lead and tyre repair kit.

An advancement that helps its range is regeneration. If you lift your foot off the throttle, the car will slow; it feels like the brakes are gently applied. You can see if you are using battery power to drive the vehicle or regenerating on a graph on the information screen. It becomes a game to see how much energy you can recoup or conserve.

The bigger 33kWh battery gives the car really usable range. You would have to be driving very aggressively not to get 200km out of the i3’s battery. At home, it will take up to 14 hours to charge on a standard charger. The time drops to nine hours if you buy an optional BMW Wall Box charger.

The updated i3 can now fast-charge at a network of stations. Some BMW-branded ChargeNow stations offer owners discounts on their charging. A charge from empty to 80% takes around 30 minutes.

The i3 is not ideal for carving up twisty roads or the highway. Its tall stance and narrow tyres mean grip is limited and it can feel a little unsteady in crosswinds at motorway speeds. In the city it's perfect, with a tight turning circle and quick steering. That makes it very easy to park, helped by a huge screen for the reversing camera. A parking-assist system will steer the i3 into parallel parking spots if required.

*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km-20,000km a year. We estimate with no optional add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at www.trademeinsurance.co.nz.

Note: This was reviewed as a new vehicle.