BMW i3 vs. Hyundai KONA Electric
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and Hyundai KONA 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 KONA Electric.
When comparing the BMW i3's and the Hyundai KONA Electric's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Hyundai KONA Electric has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the Hyundai KONA Electric's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai KONA Electric is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2021 BMW i3 ranges from $17,375 to $33,400 while a used 2021 Hyundai KONA Electric is priced between $14,504 to $24,930.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i3 loses 57.5 percent of its value and the Hyundai KONA Electric loses 57.8 percent of its value. This means the BMW i3 retains 0.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai KONA Electric.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the Hyundai KONA Electric base engine makes 201 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 197 miles. The KONA Electric is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 258 miles. This gives the Hyundai KONA Electric the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i3. The i3 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the KONA Electric uses electricity.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai KONA Electric, a electric SUV, 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, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage in the area of front head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
48300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
51950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
44550 - 67300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
37390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
38240
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
37390 - 39090
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
26664
Price Range:
17375 - 33400
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
27971
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
26664 - 29554
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33915
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19192
Price Range:
14504 - 24930
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
18923
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
18654 - 19192
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
40
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
48344
# Good or Great Deals:
25
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Hyundai KONA Electric Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai KONA Electric
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4659720408533934
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.5 - 27.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.970680635734216
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact SUVs)
2.4 - 3.0
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 26Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
13 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26Ranking
19 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 35Ranking
26 out of / 26Ranking
35 out of / 35Hyundai KONA Electric Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 82Ranking
20 out of / 82Ranking
24 out of / 82Ranking
34 out of / 82Ranking
52 out of / 82Ranking
59 out of / 82Ranking
80 out of / 82Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
Hyundai KONA Electric Trim Levels
Limited, SEL, Ultimate
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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 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
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp
Torque:
291 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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
MPGe:
107 / 93 / 100
Range (city/hwy):
195 / 197 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
127 / 108 / 120
Range (city/hwy):
258 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
64 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
9.5 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:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
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:
Available
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
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:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
36.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
19.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
45.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3276 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:
3715 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
61.2 inches
Length:
164.6 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.2 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
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
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ultra Black/Dark Gray
Blue
Ceramic Blue/White
Gold
Not available
Gray
Galactic Gray/White
Silver
Sonic Silver/Black
White
Chalk White/Black / Lunar White/Black
Red
Pulse Red/Black
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
Not available
Black
Black
