BMW i3 REx Test Drive

I have test driven two different i3 with range extenders, the first was a Mega (base model) last october, the second was a bright orange Tera (loaded) this past weekend. Before we get too far in, I should include a couple of qualifiers for this review. First, and most obvious, this is not meant as a replacement for a minivan or three-row SUV, but as more of a second car. Second, I am a Chevrolet Volt owner. Third, despite not fitting in with our typical test drive fodder, you will probably never see me turn down an opportunity to review a car. With those out of the way, on with the fun...

While some may view the styling as too edgy, I find it quite refreshing. In the word's of one of my co-workers "it looks like a concept car". The same can be said of the interior as well, while the shift knob does take a moment to get used too. Overall, the interior is bright, open, and airy feeling. Visibility to the rear is good, and the materials used are nicely chosen. Our test unit was a Mega World trimmed model (BMW for base model i3). Stepping up to the Giga World trim nets you real eucalyptus wood in place of the less premium looking black plastic dash top featured in our tester. 

In the 48 hours that I had the first i3, it handled everything that I threw at it with aplomb, including a pair of car seats, and a long distance cruise to drain the battery so that I could drive it in range extended mode. Side note, the regenerative braking is so strong, that I had to make an extended highway trip to drain it, around town I was gaining back enough charge that it would have taken me longer than I first anticipated to get it near "empty". Once the range extender kicked in, it could be heard, but only if you were actively listening for it, and performance around town didn't seem noticeably restricted. Granted, with only 34 horsepower, and 650cc of displacement, unlike my Volt, it is NOT meant for primary propulsion, hence its 2 gallon gas tank. The i3 offers three driving modes, Comfort, Eco Pro, and Eco Pro +. Rather than feeling under powered in the Eco modes, it comes across as resistance in the accelerator pedal.

The BMW i3 is a joy to drive. The steering is light, but not devoid of feel, and eager to turn in. The suspension is quick to react, but not punishing. The interior feels much larger than you would guess based on the external dimensions. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in these cars, and would definitely consider owning one. Maybe when my lease is up on my Volt...