BMW i3 vs. Hyundai IONIQ Electric
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and Hyundai IONIQ Electric 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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric.
In comparing the BMW i3's and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Hyundai IONIQ Electric has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2021 BMW i3 ranges from $20,729 to $28,593 while a used 2021 Hyundai IONIQ Electric is priced between $16,784 to $25,741.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i3 loses 66.1 percent of its value and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric loses 49 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai IONIQ Electric retains 17.2 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 6.8 out of 10 while the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the BMW i3 being ranked 6 out of 26 Best Electric Cars and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric being ranked 5 out of 26.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW i3 is 7.2 out of 10. For the Hyundai IONIQ Electric the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai IONIQ Electric 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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric base engine makes 134 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 153 miles. The IONIQ Electric is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 170 miles. This gives the Hyundai IONIQ Electric the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i3. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the i3 is 7 hours (240V), while the charge time for the IONIQ Electric is 6 hours (240V).
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are electric compact cars, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of front head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$44,450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$47,447
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$37,990 - $59,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,245
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Compact Cars)
$33,805
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Compact Cars)
$31,670 - $36,500
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,808
Price Range:
$20,729 - $28,593
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$30,521
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$24,808 - $36,884
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
27
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25,345
# Good or Great Deals:
15
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,483
Price Range:
$16,784 - $25,741
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Compact Cars)
$19,205
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Compact Cars)
$18,372 - $20,483
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
48
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
27,600
# Good or Great Deals:
21
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
6.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Hyundai IONIQ Electric Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.4
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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Electric Compact Cars)
8.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Electric Compact Cars)
5.5 - 11.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.7 - 566.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Compact Cars)
1.5 - 3.6
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
15 out of / 15Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
18 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Hyundai IONIQ Electric Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
19 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
Hyundai IONIQ Electric Trim Levels
Limited, SE
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:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
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):
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
134 hp
Torque:
218 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.040 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
MPGe:
124 / 102 / 113
Range (city/hwy):
153 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
42 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
7 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
127 / 121 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
170 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
38.3 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
6 hours (240V)
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
Wifi:
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
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:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
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:
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
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:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
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:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
23 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
119.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2972 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:
3371 lbs
Width:
71.7 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
176 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gold
Galvanic Gold Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Metallic Highlight
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Silver
Cashmere Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Blue Highlight
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Noir Pearl
Blue
Intense Blue
Gold
Not available
Gray
Amazon Gray / Electric Shadow
Silver
Stellar Silver
White
Ceramic White
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
Dark Gray
Black
Charcoal Black
