BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah

Overview

The 2018 BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah is a truly unique electric city slicker, standing out with its carbon-fiber body and futuristic design. For its time, it was a premium compact EV, perfect for urban adventures and making a bold statement. Key highlights include its sustainable interior materials and incredibly nimble handling. This specific 94 Ah battery version offered a welcome boost in range over earlier models. On the used market, you might snag one for around $8,989, making it an intriguing eco-conscious choice. It’s a distinctive machine that rethought what a small car could be!

What's New for 2018?

For 2018, the i3 got a cool mid-cycle refresh! While the punchier 94 Ah battery pack carried over from the previous year, BMW sharpened up the styling with redesigned front and rear bumpers giving it a wider, sportier stance. Slick full-LED headlights became standard, lighting up the road ahead. Inside, the infotainment got a significant upgrade to BMW's iDrive 6.0 system, making it more intuitive. Traction control was also refined for even better grip when you’re zipping away from the lights. These updates kept the i3 feeling fresh and funky.

Design & Exterior

The 2018 BMW i3 BEV 94 Ah is an absolute head-turner, rocking a design that still looks like it drove off a sci-fi movie set! Its most radical feature is the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, a high-tech touch usually reserved for supercars. You'll love the quirky coach doors for rear access – super cool, if a bit quirky in tight spots. Standard LED headlights and distinctive 19-inch wheels complete the look. Dimensions are city-friendly: 157.9 inches long, 69.9 inches wide, and 62.9 inches tall. It’s a compact EV with massive personality!

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the i3 BEV 94 Ah and you're greeted by an airy, minimalist cabin crafted with cool sustainable materials like kenaf and recycled plastics – very chic! It’s a strict four-seater, with decent room upfront but the rear is best for shorter trips. Tech-wise, the 2018 model benefits from the updated iDrive 6.0 infotainment, usually displayed on a sharp screen (a larger 10.25-inch version was optional). Apple CarPlay became available, boosting connectivity. Cargo space is 9.2 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a useful 38.8 cubic feet with seats down. No frunk, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its eco-cred fool you; the i3 BEV 94 Ah is a proper hoot to drive, especially in the city! Its rear-wheel-drive setup, powered by a 125 kW (around 170 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor dishing out 184 lb-ft of instant torque, makes it surprisingly nippy. It’ll scoot from 0-60 mph in a respectable 7.2 seconds. The ride is on the firmer side, but handling is super agile with a tiny turning circle. Plus, the strong regenerative braking allows for proper one-pedal driving, which is awesome once you get the hang of it!

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2018 i3 BEV 94 Ah packs a 27.2 kWh usable battery, delivering a real-world range of around 124 miles, as calculated by Green Cars Compare – plenty for daily duties. It's quite efficient too, at 4.56 mi/kWh. For charging, the standard 7.4 kW AC on-board charger will juice it up fully in about 4-5 hours at home. Need a quicker top-up? It supports DC fast charging at up to 50 kW via its CCS Type 1 port, getting you to 80% in roughly 30-40 minutes. Perfect for keeping those urban adventures going!

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the 2018 i3 didn't get a full overall NHTSA rating (it scored 4 stars for rollover), it did earn 'Good' ratings in most IIHS crash tests. Euro NCAP gave it 4 stars. Standard kit included essentials like rear parking sensors and cruise control. For more advanced tech, BMW offered an optional Driving Assistant package, bundling features like forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and city collision mitigation. Adaptive cruise control with stop & go functionality was also available, making highway slogs a bit easier and safer for this futuristic runabout.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

BMW typically backed the 2018 i3 with a solid warranty package in the US. This usually included a 4-year/50,000-mile basic new vehicle limited warranty. Critically for an EV, the high-voltage battery was covered for a lengthy 8 years or 100,000 miles, often with a guarantee against excessive degradation. BMW's Ultimate Care program also provided complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, adding peace of mind to its already low-maintenance EV nature. Overall reliability is generally considered decent for these innovative electric pioneers.