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

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough
Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nurburgring lap
News

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough

The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey Racing kit has finally recorded an official Nürburgring time, and it makes Corvette’s 1250bhp ZR1X look a …
17 Apr 2026
The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week
BMW Z8 front
Features

The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week

Perfect ingredients, imperfect whole. But was the Z8 really deserving of its lowly three-star evo rating? We give it another chance
18 Apr 2026
I used a £440k Lamborghini Aventador SVJ as my daily drive, and it's not the car you think it is
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Long term tests

I used a £440k Lamborghini Aventador SVJ as my daily drive, and it's not the car you think it is

Supercar usability has come a long way, as the SVJ ably demonstrates
17 Apr 2026