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BMW i3 (60Ah) vs VW e-Golf
Selected trim60Ah · 2013-17118 mi · 21.6 kWh · £32,350
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on charging speed, running costs and city driving, while the VW e-Golf leads on value for money and family practicality.
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
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the VW e-Golf if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
BMW
3.5
VW
4.4
Motorway Range
BMW
3.1
VW
2.8
Too close to call
FamilyVW
BMW
4.9
VW
6.7
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9
VW
5.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
9.1
VW
7.3
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
VW e-Golf
Length
BMW i34,006mm-264mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm-24mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm-116mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm (better) | 1,799 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,027 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare (better) | 601 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 60Ah |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.27m+264mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+24mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.03m+28mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.48m-116mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.63m+61mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 127mm-33mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 341L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1231L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,270kg (better) | 1,585kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 21.6kWh | 24.2kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,350 | £30,845 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2013–2017 | 2014–2017 |
* BMW i3: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
* VW e-Golf: 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 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 75 miles (better) | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min | 22 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | 129 Wh/km (better) | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 18.8 kWh | 20.5 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.
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.
VW e-Golf
24kWh
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 - VW e-Golf 24kWh
Tested 2012
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist71%
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
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Owners love
- Owners like that it drives like a normal Golf: refined, comfortable, well built and with physical controls rather than touchscreens.
- Owners report very good efficiency, around 4 to 5 miles per kWh in mild weather, which gives the 35.8 kWh car roughly 120 to 140 miles.
- The battery pack has a good reliability record, with very few reported failures.
Watch out for
- Winter range drops sharply: owners of the 35.8 kWh car report around 90 to 100 miles in cold weather, and less without a heat pump.
- Rapid charging is slow by current standards (40 kW peak, tapering above about 80%), so long trips need long stops.
- Several owners report the charge-port lock actuator wearing out, clicking after charging or stopping the car from charging.
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump before buying; it is not on every car.
- On rapid chargers stop at about 80%, because the last 20% takes disproportionately long.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
No active listings.
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £1,505 over the VW e-Golf?
The BMW i3 costs £1,505 more than the VW e-Golf. For that premium it adds 40 kW more power, a 3.2s quicker 0-62mph time and lower energy use, 129 versus 150 Wh/km. The VW e-Golf is not just cheaper - it also offers 81 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the VW e-Golf?
The VW e-Golf is £1,505 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 VW e-Golf comes out roughly £1,385 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 VW e-Golf like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 75 miles for the BMW i3 and 71 miles for the VW e-Golf - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 22-24 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the VW e-Golf?
The two are within 24 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 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf. The BMW i3 also turns in a 1.0 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 VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 84% for the VW e-Golf. That gives the BMW i3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. 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 VW e-Golf rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and VW e-Golf rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3 and VW e-Golf rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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.
GuideUsed VW e-Golf buyer's guide (2014-2020)
Buying a used Volkswagen e-Golf: the 24.2 and 35.8 kWh versions, the battery warranty running out, realistic range, the charge-port fault owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .