BMW i3 BEV 120 Ah

Overview

The BMW i3 BEV 120 Ah, a true trailblazer in the electric scene, bowed out of production in 2022, but its quirky charm and innovative spirit live on. This distinctive hatchback, built with a high-tech carbon-fibre passenger cell, offers a premium city-centric EV experience. It's a head-turner with its unique proportions and sustainable interior touches. For those eyeing one on the pre-owned market, the 2022 120 Ah trim can be found for around €17,590 in Europe, offering a surprisingly fun rear-wheel-drive package. It’s a funky, forward-thinking machine that still feels special.

What's New for 2022?

For 2022, the BMW i3 BEV 120 Ah was essentially on its farewell tour, as production wrapped up mid-year. There weren't any major shake-ups or flashy new features for this final model year; it proudly carried forward the well-established 120 Ah specification. This meant buyers got the larger battery pack that had become standard, ensuring the best possible electric range for this iconic design. The biggest news, sadly, was its discontinuation, marking the end of an era for one of BMW’s most adventurous electric pioneers.

Design & Exterior

The 2022 BMW i3 BEV 120 Ah is nothing short of an icon, with its tall, narrow silhouette and funky coach-style rear doors that make a real statement. It’s instantly recognizable! Up front, you get those signature (mostly closed-off) kidney grilles and sleek LED headlights. Its compact dimensions – 4011 mm long, 1775 mm wide (mirrors excluded), and 1598 mm tall – make it a dream for city manoeuvres. The lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) construction isn't just cool tech; it's central to its unique look and agile feel.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the i3 120 Ah, and you're greeted by a surprisingly airy and futuristic cabin, thanks to its open-plan design and sustainable materials like kenaf and optional open-pore eucalyptus wood. It seats four, with decent room up front, though rear access via the coach doors can be a bit of a faff. Tech-wise, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, likely on a crisp 10.25-inch screen, handles media and navigation, often with Apple CarPlay. Boot space is 260 litres, expanding to a useful 1100 litres with the rear seats down. No frunk, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its eco-warrior looks fool you; the i3 BEV 120 Ah is a proper little pocket rocket for city streets! Its rear-mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers a punchy 135 kW and 250 Nm of torque, zipping you from 0-100 km/h in a brisk 7.3 seconds. Being rear-wheel drive, it’s wonderfully agile and fun to pilot, with a super-tight turning circle. The ride can be a tad firm on those skinny eco tyres, but it’s a small price for such engaging handling. Strong regenerative braking allows for proper one-pedal driving.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2022 i3 BEV 120 Ah packs a 37.9 kWh usable battery, giving you a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 255 km – plenty for daily commutes and city jaunts. Its efficiency is rated at a decent 6.73 km/kWh. For charging, its standard 11 kW AC on-board charger will juice it up fully in about 3.5-4 hours at home. Out and about, it can gulp down DC electricity at up to 50 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, taking it from near empty to 80% in roughly 40 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The BMW i3, in its later 120 Ah form, carried a 4-star Euro NCAP safety rating from earlier tests, reflecting its strong carbon-fibre structure. Standard kit typically included essentials like parking sensors and basic collision mitigation. For more advanced tech, you’d often need to find one optioned with the Driving Assistant Plus package. This usually bundled features like adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, traffic jam assist, and lane departure warning, significantly beefing up its driver-assistance credentials for a more relaxed drive.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

As a discontinued model since 2022, new BMW warranties won't apply, but many i3s will still be covered by the tail end of their original warranties. Typically, BMW offered a 2-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty in Europe. Crucially, the high-voltage battery usually came with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, safeguarding against significant degradation. Electric powertrains like the i3’s are known for their lower maintenance needs compared to combustion cars, and the i3 has generally proven to be a reliable EV, especially in its later 120 Ah guise.