BMW i3 vs. Volkswagen ID.3: which is better?
Electric vehicles are a great option, and here we compare two models of German design – the i3 from BMW and the ID.3 from Volkswagen. But which is better?
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Picking an electric car used to be an easy task, but there are now so many to choose from, so understanding what makes them different is key.
Below, we outline which types of buyers should consider the BMW i3 and the Volkswagen ID.3, as well as some of their key selling points.
Does the BMW i3 or Volkswagen ID.3 have more style?
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Both of these models are very stylish electric cars, each with their own quirks that help them stand out from the growing number of EVs available.
The BMW i3 first went on sale in 2013, and at that time the only other mainstream electric car was the Nissan Leaf. The i3 stands out just as much now as it did then, and if anything has only improved with age.
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a much newer car, and it’s also substantially larger. In fact, it belongs to a class of cars larger than the i3.
It’s somewhat more conventional, but it still stands out against petrol- and diesel-powered cars thanks to its short-looking bonnet, the lack of a grille, and a striking two-tone boot design.
Is the Volkswagen ID.3 or BMW i3 better to drive?
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Many conventional cars with engines are front-wheel-drive because it’s better for fuel economy and interior space, but these two are rear-wheel-drive.
That means they’re more engaging to drive and can be fun on twisting country roads, but they’re also more capable of putting down their power from a standstill.
Both have been available with a range of electric motors, and in its later days, the i3 had 170hp (or 184hp in the case of the i3s). In its quickest form, it can do 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.
The ID.3 has a wider range of motors, with the most powerful generating 204hp. It can do 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, and it’s possible that Volkswagen may also be working on a performance GTX version, with around 300hp.
Whether you pick the quickest or a slower version, all i3 and ID.3 models feel nippy and can pack a punch from the traffic lights thanks to the instant response of the electric motors.
Take note of their battery sizes, too, because earlier BMW i3 models had smaller batteries. The latest, badged ‘120Ah’, is good for almost 200 miles. For the ID.3, the pick of the bunch is the 58kWh pack that can do around 260 miles, but there’s also a smaller and a larger option.
BMW i3 vs. Volkswagen ID.3 interior
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Almost a decade separates the launches of these two cars, but they both take very similar approaches inside, which suggests their designs may not age like some others.
Both interiors feature large touchscreen infotainment displays, but the BMW also has a few controls via buttons. The ID.3 is a completely button-free experience except for a few capacitive touch controls, which can be hard to use at night.
It’s worth noting that VW received a lot of stick for the infotainment system used in all of its ID-branded models. It was initially slow to respond and lacked some features, but this has since been addressed by a software update available from main dealerships.
Later software versions also unlock over-the-air updates, so there’s no need to visit a dealer.
The i3 is one of the few cars that uses rear-hinged rear doors. You have to open the front doors first, but getting in the back is surprisingly easy. This can be slightly troubling in tight parking spaces, however.
The legroom in the back is good, and the headroom is decent too, but the ID.3 is a step above in terms of rear passenger space. Much of the marketing at its launch focused on its Passat-like interior space despite its Golf-like dimensions.
Volkswagen ID.3 vs. BMW i3: which is biggest when it comes to boot space?
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As mentioned above, both cars belong to different classes. The BMW i3 is best thought of as a (slightly unconventional) supermini, like a Volkswagen Polo. The ID.3 is larger, like a Golf.
The Volkswagen ID.3 has a 385-litre boot, which is about the same amount of space as you’d find in a conventional car like the Volkswagen Golf.
The i3 has a much smaller 260-litre boot, which is smaller than you’ll find in superminis like the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.
Unlike the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, neither of these cars has any additional storage under their bonnets.
Is the BMW i3 or Volkswagen ID.3 more reliable?
These longstanding brands have been producing high-quality premium cars for decades, and this is reflected in their reliability.
Both have three-year warranties (but there’s a mileage cap on the VW) and extended warranties for the batteries, but so far, there’s been no indication that this would be commonly needed.
The i3 has been on the market longer and there’s more data to back it up, but Volkswagen has been making electric cars for several years now. In fact, the e-Golf preceded the ID.3.
The i3 received a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was launched, but this has since expired. The ID.3 has a stronger five-star review under more modern (and harsher) testing conditions.
BMW i3 vs. Volkswagen ID.3 dimensions
BMW’s smallest electric car is only 3,999mm long, which makes it shorter than many superminis but a touch longer than the three-door Mini Hatch. It’s 2,039mm wide and 1,578mm tall.
The Volkswagen ID.3 is 4,264mm long, which makes it shorter than a Golf despite the impressive interior space. It’s 2,070mm wide and 1,564mm tall.
Volkswagen ID.3 vs. BMW i3: which should you buy?
Both cars are designed to cater to different types of drivers, so picking should be easy. If you’re after something small that only you’ll be driving, aside from occasional passengers, the BMW i3 makes a lot of sense.
For something with more room for the family and their luggage, the modern-looking Volkswagen ID.3 makes for a great pick, and it’s actually an incredibly popular electric car regardless.