BMW i3 vs. BMW i8
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i3 and the BMW i8.
When we compare the BMW i3's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW i3 ranges from $19,991 to $28,992 while a used 2020 BMW i8 is priced between $64,955 to $94,528.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i3 loses 57.8 percent of its value and the BMW i8 loses 45.6 percent of its value. This means the BMW i8 retains 12.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW i3 is 6.5 out of 10 while the BMW i8's quality rating is 7.1 out of 10. This results in the BMW i3 being ranked 10 out of 20 Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) and the BMW i8 being ranked 6 out of 20. Out of 28 Best Luxury Hybrid Cars, the BMW i3 is ranked 17 and the BMW i8 is ranked 13.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW i3 is 6.1 out of 10. For the BMW i8 the reliability rating is 6.6 out of 10. This gives the BMW i8 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW i3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the BMW i8 base engine makes 369 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 197 miles. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles.This gives the BMW i3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW i8 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use electricity, premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$57,000
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$48,300 - $67,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$147,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$143,683
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$103,800 - $163,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,748
Price Range:
$19,991 - $28,992
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$31,470
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$24,748 - $38,191
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
30,686
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$83,233
Price Range:
$64,955 - $94,528
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$76,713
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$68,156 - $83,233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
28,907
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.5 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3 - 6.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
0.3 - 26.1
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
28 out of / 28BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
369 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
0.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
2
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 31 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
195 / 197 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 29 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.2 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3269 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
158.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3501 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Exterior Colors
Beige
Jucaro Beige Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Mineral Grey w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Donington Grey / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ E-Copper Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Red
Not available
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Brown
E-Copper Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Interior Colors
Brown
Tera Dark Truffle
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Brown w/ Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth / Mega Carum Spice Grey w/ Brown Cloth Highlight
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
E-Copper Exclusive / Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Giga Amido
White
Giga Ivory White
