BMW i3 First Drive: Is This a Tesla Model 3 Killer?

Evaluation:

The BMW 3 Series is going electrical– and BMW is making some seriously huge pledges. Fulfill the brand new BMW i3 Neue Klasse, an electrical saloon with futuristic styling, next-generation innovation, ultra-fast charging and a declared variety of as much as 566 miles.

Nicola Hume takes a closer take a look at BMW's all-electric response to the Tesla Model 3, exploring what could make this one of the most essential brand-new electrical cars and trucks of 2026.

Constructed on BMW's new Neue Klasse platform, the i3 presents the brand name's most current battery technology, an 800V electrical system and a completely revamped interior featuring the striking Breathtaking Vision display screen. It likewise guarantees more traveler area than a standard 3 Series, thanks to its dedicated electric-car architecture.

But is the new design a triumph or a step too far? Can BMW actually provide more than 500 miles of range? And will the electric 3 Series have what it takes to challenge Tesla, Mercedes and Polestar?

BMW i3 Neue Klasse: key facts
Cost: from ₤ 47,925.
Battery choices: 82.6 kWh and 108.7 kWh usable.
Optimum claimed WLTP variety: as much as 566 miles.
Power: approximately 469hp in the i3 50 xDrive.
0– 62mph: 4.7 seconds.
Maximum DC charging: 400kW.
Boot capability: 520 litres, plus a 58-litre front boot.

The brand-new BMW i3 is set to handle the Tesla Model 3, Mercedes CLA and Polestar 2, with more versions expected to join the range in the future.
Is this the electric executive automobile we've been awaiting? See Nicola's very first drive to learn.

What do you consider BMW's brand-new Neue Klasse style? Let us know in the comments listed below.

Register for Electrifying.com for more electric automobile evaluations, first drives, EV news and buying advice.

#BMWi 3 #BMWNeueKlasse #ElectricCars.

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Comments

43 responses to “BMW i3 First Drive: Is This a Tesla Model 3 Killer?”

  1. @RocketBadger Avatar
    @RocketBadger

    Just release the touring version already

    1. @allwheeldrive Avatar
      @allwheeldrive

      THAT is The Rig! Bring it to the US!!!

    2. @_rhapsodist Avatar
      @_rhapsodist

      absolutely

    3. @MyUrbanCar Avatar
      @MyUrbanCar

      I3 Touring won’t be far behind. There’s already plenty of renders and videos of actual proto touring’s in camo heading round the Nürburgring. Should be revealed by spring with deliveries beginning sometime over summer or autumn 2027

    4. @Tilten Avatar
      @Tilten

      Yes!

    5. @flyingeurope9343 Avatar
      @flyingeurope9343

      And I will eat them alive if they don’t give me a ski hatch as an option!

  2. @rarinesouza Avatar
    @rarinesouza

    Not a huge fan of sedans myself, but this one is a strong contender

  3. @AutoBears Avatar
    @AutoBears

    That is amazing stats. I did manage Edinburgh to Farnborough on one charge in the IX3.
    Though no nappy was Used as I stopped at the services for my wee and cuppa tea.

    1. @Senthiuz Avatar
      @Senthiuz

      Ye olde wee & tea.

  4. @SteveSDP Avatar
    @SteveSDP

    Well thats the next company car sorted, when the estate version turns up

    1. @Markaaaa55 Avatar
      @Markaaaa55

      Why are you guy.

  5. @bumlenz1234 Avatar
    @bumlenz1234

    Wow. Great car and a fun, informative review. Well done.

  6. @bfvader Avatar
    @bfvader

    I think I’ve found the replacement for my EV6 when the time comes! The projected MSRP in Canada is actually going to be less than my top spec Kia, lol.
    The only hangup is the loss of physical controls for climate, infotainment, etc. My favourite part of my wife’s MINI Cooper SE is that you can do absolutely EVERYTHING in the car without touching the screen once – instead you get satisfying toggle switches, dials, and the iDrive controller dial thing. This has fallen prey to the Tesla-style cost-savings brutalist aesthetic.

    1. @SilkRoadPl Avatar
      @SilkRoadPl

      The price of the postlift ev6 should be pressed by this i3 down to the level I will then consider it willingly

    2. @GodofGHz Avatar
      @GodofGHz

      SAME! The only cars I will consider as replacements for my EV6 had better charge even *faster* and go further, while being solid all-round, and the same size or smaller.

    3. @bfvader Avatar
      @bfvader

      @GodofGHz And look good doing it!

  7. @JjaysYoutube Avatar
    @JjaysYoutube

    Can’t wait for the touring version, hurry up BMW!

  8. @_rhapsodist Avatar
    @_rhapsodist

    The Touring would be my dream car as well, please make it happen BMW 🙏🏼

    1. @jonw8uk111 Avatar
      @jonw8uk111

      It’s already made. You can find spy shots of it during testing 👍

    2. @_rhapsodist Avatar
      @_rhapsodist

      @jonw8uk111great 👌🏼

    3. @Grimreaperwonthandoutpardons Avatar
      @Grimreaperwonthandoutpardons

      Yes, it was confirmed at the I3 reveal

    4. @Grimreaperwonthandoutpardons Avatar
      @Grimreaperwonthandoutpardons

      It is your dream car and mine. You have no idea how good this car looks in person. When I went up the escalator and saw it before of I was just stunned. It immediately clicked.

  9. @mfarrel Avatar
    @mfarrel

    Great fun review as always! Love Nicola’s wording – great thumb-age! hahaha.. We have the same steering on our iX3 50 x drive, easy to get used to after a while.

  10. @vp272 Avatar
    @vp272

    Stunning in that colour and trim! Shame saloons in this country don’t sell well anymore 😢

    1. @DaveC1964 Avatar
      @DaveC1964

      What country? Tesla model 3 2nd best selling car in uk September, 800 cars behind the jaecoo7

  11. @helipeek2736 Avatar
    @helipeek2736

    Headrests look like a Battlestar Galactica pilot’s helmet.

    1. @kibun1 Avatar
      @kibun1

      That would be great.

    2. @KISS_paulstanley Avatar
      @KISS_paulstanley

      3:16 you called it!

    3. @boing615 Avatar
      @boing615

      Reminds me of Skizz with his helmet on (2000AD)

  12. @neilshirley Avatar
    @neilshirley

    Great car ands video. @Electrifying I think you may have the graphic on DC Charging the wrong way round – ie you have the i3 50 at 300kw and the i3 40 at 400kw!

  13. @stu1wyatt Avatar
    @stu1wyatt

    In a tourer this will be brilliant, I think they’ve nailed it here and there will be a lot of these as company cars on the roads

  14. @Electrifyingcom Avatar
    @Electrifyingcom

    As some of you have noticed, I put the wrong model name against each charging speed…

    For clarity, the BMW i3 50 can charge at up to 400kW while the BMW i3 40 can charge at up to 300kW.

    Both battery options can charge from 10-80% in 21 mins

    Apologies…
    – Jonty

    1. @Channel-h4b Avatar
      @Channel-h4b

      Everything is a Tesla killer. Teslas are utter garbage and still the same bland, woeful design that is already 14 years old.

    2. @Channel-h4b Avatar
      @Channel-h4b

      You have to divide the WLTP range by 1.5, so the realistic range is 377 miles (603 km).

    3. @Channel-h4b Avatar
      @Channel-h4b

      You’re hot by the way. 🙂

    4. @phillm156 Avatar
      @phillm156

      Anything 300kw & above is a blur to me😂

    5. @HotHatchTV Avatar
      @HotHatchTV

      Other reviews say 420l of boot space, I don’t think the 520l is correct..

  15. @klub8278 Avatar
    @klub8278

    Bmw is stepping up the game.
    Well done.
    Many of us are just waiting for the touring version now.

  16. @antoniobunoza8229 Avatar
    @antoniobunoza8229

    Came to the comments to write how I would like to have the touring versions…but everyone already wrote that. Happy to see people appreciate wagons.

  17. @josephdobler Avatar
    @josephdobler

    You guys do a great job. Thank you.

  18. @stephen.lane71 Avatar
    @stephen.lane71

    Another great entertaining Nicola video ❤the touring version of this would be sublime 👌👏🤞

  19. @ThrottleBody Avatar
    @ThrottleBody

    Having seen one in person, it does that classic bmw thing where it doesn’t photograph very well but looks really good in reality.

  20. @ZooVersePlanet Avatar
    @ZooVersePlanet

    I think it will ring a nostalgic bell with the generation who has seen the Transam n Pontiac

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