2021 BMW i3 0-60 time, horsepower and power-to-weight
0-60 mph, quickest trim
6.8s
- s RWD, 181 hp.
- Tested.
- 0-60: top 50% of 20 hatchbacks (2021).
- Horsepower: rank 13 of 20 hatchbacks (2021).
Every trim: 0-60 and power-to-weight
| Trim | Engine | hp | Torque | Curb weight | hp per ton | lb per hp | 0-60 and basis | Transmission | Drivetrain | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s RWD | Electric | 181 hp | 110 lb-ft | 3,040 lb | 119 | 16.8 | 6.8 sTested | Single-speed | RWD | $47,650 |
| RWD | Electric | 168 hp | 110 lb-ft | 2,972 lb | 113 | 17.7 | 7.2 sTested | Single-speed | RWD | $44,450 |
| s w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | 181 hp | 110 lb-ft | 3,309 lb | 109 | 18.3 | 7.6 sTested | Single-speed | RWD | $51,500 |
| Base w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | 168 hp | 110 lb-ft | 3,276 lb | 103 | 19.5 | 8.0 sTested | Single-speed | RWD | $48,300 |
| 120 Ah RWD | N/A | 170 hp | 184 lb-ft | 2,972 lb | 114 | 17.5 | N/A | Single-speed | RWD | $44,450 |
| s 120 Ah RWD | N/A | 181 hp | 199 lb-ft | 3,040 lb | 119 | 16.8 | N/A | Single-speed | RWD | $47,650 |
| 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | 170 hp | 184 lb-ft | 3,276 lb | 104 | 19.3 | N/A | Single-speed | RWD | $48,300 |
| s 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | N/A | 181 hp | 199 lb-ft | 3,309 lb | 109 | 18.3 | N/A | Single-speed | RWD | $51,500 |
Ton = 2,000 lb. Curb weight, no passengers.
Estimates: a fit on 7,236 tested times, using power and weight. Typical error 0.3 s.
Engines offered
7 engines offered.
| Engine | Trims | hp | Cheapest trim | MSRP | Price step | Fuel a year | Fuel vs base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 1 | 168 hp | RWD | $44,450 | Base | $608 | Base |
| plug-in hybrid | 1 | 170 hp | 120 Ah RWD | $44,450 | $0 | $923 | +$315 |
| Electric | 1 | 181 hp | s RWD | $47,650 | +$3,200 | $608 | $0 |
| plug-in hybrid | 2 | 181 hp | s 120 Ah RWD | $47,650 | $0 | $923 | +$315 |
| plug-in hybrid | 1 | 168 hp | Base w/Range Extender RWD | $48,300 | +$650 | $923 | +$315 |
| Engine not listed | 1 | 170 hp | 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | $48,300 | $0 | $384 | -$224 |
| Engine not listed | 1 | 181 hp | s 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD | $51,500 | +$3,200 | $384 | -$224 |
12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh. Plug-in hybrids: 50% electric miles.
Turbo: only when the engine or trim name says so.
Transmission
CVT: no.
| Transmission | Trims | Cheapest trim | MSRP | Quickest 0-60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-speed | 8 | 120 Ah RWD | $44,450 | 6.8 s |
Rivals with more hp and better mpg
Compared with the 120 Ah RWD: 170 hp, 31 mpg, $44,450. Other makes, hatchbacks, within 15% of the price.
No rival beats it on both.
i3 by year
Which is faster?
Quickest trim of each car, unless you pick a trim.
2021 Honda Civic Type R: 1.8 s quicker to 60.
| Measure | 2021 BMW i3 | 2021 Honda Civic Type R |
|---|---|---|
| Trim | s RWD | Touring Manual |
| 0-60 | 6.8 s | 5.0 s |
| Basis | Tested | Online |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 306 hp |
| Curb weight | 3,040 lb | N/A |
| hp per ton | 119 | N/A |
| lb per hp | 16.8 | N/A |
| MSRP | $47,650 | $37,895 |
What this cannot tell you
0-60 times vary by test. Estimates use power and weight only.
Fuel cost uses EPA combined ratings.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree