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BMW i3 (60Ah) vs BMW i3 (94Ah)
Selected trim60Ah · 2013-17118 mi · 21.6 kWh · £32,350
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on charging speed and running costs, while the BMW i3 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (60Ah) if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
i3
3.5
i3
3.5
Too close to call
Motorway Range
i3
3.1
i3
3.3
Too close to call
Family
i3
4.9
i3
4.9
Too close to call
Chargingi3
i3
4.1
i3
3.5
Cost Per Milei3
i3
9
i3
8.1
City Driving
i3
9.1
i3
9.1
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
BMW i3
Length
BMW i34,006mm
BMW i34,006mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
BMW i31,775mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
BMW i31,598mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 60Ah | BMW i3 94Ah |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.01m |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.77m |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.00m |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.60m |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.57m |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 160mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 260L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1100L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m | 9.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,270kg (better) | 1,300kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 21.6kWh | 33.2kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 158 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,350 (better) | £33,070 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2013–2017 | 2016–2018 |
* BMW i3: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | BMW i394Ah |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 158 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 75 miles | 104 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min (better) | 28 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 129 Wh/km (better) | 136 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 18.8 kWh | 27.2 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 60Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
60Ah
Owners love
- Excellent urban driving dynamics with agile handling, quick acceleration, and responsive electric powertrain making it fun and engaging
- Premium interior design and build quality with lightweight carbon fiber construction; won Automotive Interiors Expo Award 2014
- REX range extender provides practical flexibility for occasional longer journeys without replacing daily charging needs
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly lower than advertised (60-85 miles vs. 118 miles claimed for 60Ah models), with severe winter degradation to 55-60 miles
- Early 60Ah battery models experience capacity degradation over time, limiting long-term viability as sole car
- AC-only charging on early models without DC rapid capability complicates longer journeys and affects resale value
Owner tips
- For 60Ah models, verify battery health via hidden menu diagnostics and only buy as second car or accept potential replacement within two years; consider 120Ah upgrade if available
- Pre-condition cabin before driving and charge to 75-80% maximum to preserve battery health; use Eco Pro Plus mode to maximize range in winter
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the BMW i3?
The BMW i3 is £720 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW i3 comes out roughly £760 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and BMW i3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 75 miles for the BMW i3 and 104 miles for the BMW i3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i3 goes roughly 29 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-28 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the BMW i3?
The two are within 0 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3 and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the BMW i3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 87% for the BMW i3. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and BMW i3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .