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BMW i3 (60Ah) vs Dacia Spring
Selected trim60Ah · 2013-17118 mi · 21.6 kWh · £32,350
Selected trimExpression Electric 70Change trim139 mi · 24 kWh · £11,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality and charging speed, while the Dacia Spring leads on value for money, running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (60Ah) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Dacia Spring if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Dacia Spring leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueDacia
BMW
3.5
Dacia
4.9
Motorway Range
BMW
3.1
Dacia
3.3
Too close to call
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
Dacia
2.8
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
Dacia
3.5
Cost Per MileDacia
BMW
9
Dacia
9.5
City DrivingDacia
BMW
9.1
Dacia
9.7
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.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £32,350 | £11,990 (better) |
| Official range | 118 miles | 139 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 308 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min (better) | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.2 sec (better) | 12.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Dacia Spring
Length
BMW i34,006mm
Dacia Spring3,701mm-305mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Dacia Spring1,583mm-192mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Dacia Spring1,489mm-109mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,701 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,583 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | 1,767 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,489 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m | 9.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 817 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 308 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L (better) | 1004 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Dacia Spring
- Uses 124 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 3,701 mm, shorter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.6 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 60Ah |  Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.70m-305mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.58m-192mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 1.77m-232mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.49m-109mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.42m-147mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 146mm-14mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 308L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L (better) | 1004L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m | 9.6m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,270kg | 984kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 21.6kWh | 24kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 139 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,350 | £11,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2013–2017 | 2026+ |
* 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 | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 139 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 75 miles | 95 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min (better) | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 129 Wh/km | 124 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 18.8 kWh | 24 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.2 sec (better) | 12.3 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 52 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 137 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3
60Ah
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
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.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £5,300 | £10,999 |
| Average used price | £7,200 | £11,149 |
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 - Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant49%
Child Occupant56%
Vulnerable Road Users39%
Safety Assist32%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
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
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
Owners love
- Excellent value proposition as the UK's cheapest new car, starting under £13,800 and democratizing EV ownership
- Ideal as a second car or city runabout with tight turning circle under 5 meters and lightweight design under 1,000kg
- Simple, utilitarian design with manual controls (physical key, handbrake, switches) appeals to owners seeking straightforward functionality
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly trails WLTP estimates; expect 80-100 miles in mixed conditions and as low as 60-80 miles in winter
- Base 45hp model is dangerously underpowered for motorway use with 19-20 second 0-60 times and unsafe acceleration on slip roads
- Poor interior quality with cheap hard plastics, tinny door closures, and sparse cabin materials throughout
Owner tips
- Choose the 65hp or 100hp variant if considering purchase; the base 45hp model lacks sufficient power for safe motorway driving
- Expect realistic range of 4 mi/kWh in real-world conditions and plan around 80 miles in winter, not the 140-186 mile WLTP figures
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Dacia Spring
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
No active listings.
Dacia Spring
- £10,9992026Cars2View
- £11,2992026Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £20,360 over the Dacia Spring?
The BMW i3 costs £20,360 more than the Dacia Spring. For that premium it adds 73 kW more power and a 5.1s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Dacia Spring comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Dacia Spring?
The Dacia Spring is £20,360 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Dacia Spring comes out roughly £20,400 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 Dacia Spring like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 75 miles for the BMW i3 and 95 miles for the Dacia Spring - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Dacia Spring goes roughly 20 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Dacia Spring?
The Dacia Spring is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 192 mm narrower than the BMW i3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 817 mm of total clearance for the Dacia Spring and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The Dacia Spring also turns in a 0.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Dacia Spring?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Dacia Spring. That gives the Dacia Spring a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Dacia Spring's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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.
More BMW i3 comparisons
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 Dacia Spring rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Dacia Spring rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Dacia Spring rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Dacia Spring rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Dacia Spring rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Dacia Spring rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Dacia Spring (2024 on): Which Motor, the Steering Recall & What to Pay
A used Dacia Spring buyer’s guide: the 45, 65, 70 and 100 versions, the steering-rack recall, the one-star safety rating, battery warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .