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BMW i3s vs VW ID.3 Neo
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22177 mi · 42.2 kWh · £37,670
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3s leads on family practicality, while the VW ID.3 Neo leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3s if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the VW ID.3 Neo if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.6p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 Neo leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
BMW
2.9
VW
4.1
Motorway RangeVW
BMW
2.1
VW
6.2
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
VW
4.3
ChargingVW
BMW
2
VW
6.2
Cost Per MileVW
BMW
3.4
VW
9.6
City Driving
BMW
8.1
VW
7.9
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
VW ID.3 Neo
Life 50 kWh
- £4,590 cheaper
- 81 miles more WLTP range
- 125 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 18 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,670 | £33,080 (better) |
| Official range | 177 miles | 258 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 385 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 24 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3s
VW ID.3 Neo
Length
BMW i3s4,006mm-281mm
VW ID.3 Neo4,287mm
Width
BMW i3s1,791mm-18mm
VW ID.3 Neo1,809mm
Height
BMW i3s1,590mm
VW ID.3 Neo1,554mm-36mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,287 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,791 mm (better) | 1,809 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,028 mm | 2,015 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 609 mm spare (better) | 591 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 385 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | 1267 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3s
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW ID.3 Neo
- 258 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 2,764 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3s 120Ah |  VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.29m+281mm |
| Width | 1.79m | 1.81m+18mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.02m-13mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.55m-36mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.76m+194mm |
| Ground Clearance | 154mm | 150mm-4mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1267L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,340kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh | 50kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 177 mi | 258 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,670 | £33,080 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £37,670 (not eligible) | £31,580 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2026+ |
* VW ID.3 Neo: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-09. The 2025 five-star rating was for the ID.3 it replaces.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 177 miles | 258 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 118 miles | 215 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 24 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 166 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh | 50 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | Not available |
| 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.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
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
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 i3s 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh
VW ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-09. The 2025 five-star rating was for the ID.3 it replaces.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | VW ID.3 NeoLife 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3s
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3 Neo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3s worth the extra £4,590 over the VW ID.3 Neo?
The BMW i3s costs £4,590 more than the VW ID.3 Neo. For that premium it adds a 1.7s quicker 0-62mph time. The VW ID.3 Neo is not just cheaper - it also offers 81 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 125 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 Neo comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3s or the VW ID.3 Neo?
The VW ID.3 Neo is £4,590 cheaper to buy. The VW ID.3 Neo is cheaper to charge, roughly £128 a year versus £184 for the BMW i3s, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.3 Neo comes out roughly £4,870 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 i3s and VW ID.3 Neo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 118 miles for the BMW i3s and 215 miles for the VW ID.3 Neo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.3 Neo goes roughly 97 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 42 minutes in the BMW i3s and 24 in the VW ID.3 Neo, so the VW ID.3 Neo loses less time at each stop. That makes the VW ID.3 Neo the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3s or the VW ID.3 Neo?
The two are within 18 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 609 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3s and about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 Neo.
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 i3s comparisons
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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 i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3s and VW ID.3 Neo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .