BMW i3 vs. Chevrolet Volt
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and Chevrolet Volt 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 Chevrolet Volt.
When comparing the BMW i3's and the Chevrolet Volt's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Chevrolet Volt has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the Chevrolet Volt's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Volt is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2019 BMW i3 ranges from $17,724 to $25,749 while a used 2019 Chevrolet Volt is priced between $14,881 to $26,556.
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 Chevrolet Volt loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Chevrolet Volt retains 9.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Volt base engine makes 149 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 197 miles. The Volt is rated to deliver an average of 42 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 424 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Volt the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i3. The i3 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the Volt uses electricity, regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Volt has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The BMW i3, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, rear head room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Chevrolet Volt has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$51,350
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$48,300 - $54,400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,520
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$25,594
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$22,400 - $33,520
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,724
Price Range:
$17,724 - $25,749
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$25,985
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$21,724 - $30,245
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
50,751
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,288
Price Range:
$14,881 - $26,556
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$19,881
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$16,631 - $22,498
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
24
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
56,571
# Good or Great Deals:
13
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.5 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Chevrolet Volt Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.4
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 Chevrolet Volt
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
6 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.6%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
5.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
4.3 - 6.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.3 - 21.2
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 / 28Chevrolet Volt Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
10 out of / 10Ranking
15 out of / 25Ranking
20 out of / 25Ranking
21 out of / 25Ranking
24 out of / 25Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
Chevrolet Volt Trim Levels
LT, Premier
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
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:
149 hp
Torque:
294 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.042 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:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
43 / 42 / 42
Range (city/hwy):
433 / 424 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular 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:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
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:
Standard
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:
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
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:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Cargo Space:
10.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.9 cubic feet
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:
3519 lbs
Width:
71.2 inches
Height:
56.4 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
106.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/50R17
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
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Pacific Blue Metallic
Gray
Satin Steel Metallic
Red
Cajun Red Tintcoat
White
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat / Summit White
Green
Green Mist Metallic
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
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
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Light Ash/Dark Ash
Black
Jet Black / Jet Black/Jet Black
