2021 BMW i3

The BMW i3 is among the most distinctive looking cars on the road. Even after eight years on the market, this urban commuting module still looks like a commuter car from 2031 rather than 2013. The clever design won many awards when new, and the futuristic details extend to the interior as well, with a multi-screened and almost architectural cabin, trimmed in wood and retro-futuristic cloths.

While the car’s styling hasn’t changed much since it debuted, BMW has improved on the design over the years by adding a larger battery for longer range, sport models and more. Those changes have made it a better car and it still meets the needs of many EV buyers, but the Blade Runner looks and updates can only mask so much of the i3’s age. The 2021 model rolls over nearly unchanged, but the cars do get an LED headlight upgrade for the new model year.

After selling just 1,502 i3’s in 2020 (down from a high of 11,000 in 2015), BMW has already announced that 2021 will be the i3’s swan song in the U.S., though it will continue in other countries for another year. In 2022 BMW will debut two more mainstream electric cars, the i4 sedan and the iX crossover.

The i3 may be small, just 158 inches long, and very much unlike other BMWs in appearance, but it retains many of the make’s traditional virtues. Handling is sharp around town and the i3’s electric motor can rocket the little car to 60 mph in the mid six-second range. The big alloy wheels look good but don’t compromise ride, which is quiet and serene for such a small and tall car, though the range extender adds noise.

The i3 gets Good ratings in most evaluations by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The i3 can be equipped with many advanced active safety systems like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, but they’re all part of a $2,350 driver assistance package.

As with any car this size, the rear seat is cramped for adults, particularly tall ones, and cargo space is limited. There’s 15.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 36.9 with them folded, which compares well to other tiny machines like the Mini Cooper or Chevy Spark. Those aren’t really true competitors for the i3, but the slightly larger Chevrolet Bolt offers 16.9 and 56.6 cubic-feet, a much larger and more useful area. It also has more rear passenger space.

The i3’s biggest demerit is range, which is limited by the age of its basic design. It can only manage 153 miles between charges, though the optional range extender does offset this issue. The Bolt can do 259 miles and costs less, while Tesla’s Model 3 can do up to 353 and offers much more room. Neither have quite the i3’s style, however.