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

My Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce proved you needn't spend £100k for a fun saloon
evo Fast Fleet Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
Long term tests

My Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce proved you needn't spend £100k for a fun saloon

How desirable can a four-cylinder Giulia really be? ‘Very’ is our long-term verdict
13 Aug 2026
The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners
GMA S1
News

The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners

Gordon Murray Automotive has revived the McLaren F1 with the road-biased GMA S1, a 12,100rpm V12 special based upon the ultra-exclusive S1 LM
14 Aug 2026
Jaecoo 7 review – impressive in ways, not great in others
Jaecoo 7
Reviews

Jaecoo 7 review – impressive in ways, not great in others

Is what is now one of Britain’s best-selling cars actually any good? We got one in to find out
11 Aug 2026