2014 BMW i3 vs 2014 Cadillac ELR vs 2014 Chevrolet Volt

2014 BMW i3

2014 Cadillac ELR

2014 Chevrolet Volt

Select style

4-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
i3 4-Door HB	N/A	N/A	$38,040	$41,350
i3 4-Door HB w/Range Extender	N/A	N/A	$41,585	$45,200

Select style

2-Door Coupe

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ELR 2-Door Coupe	31	35	$71,625	$75,000

Select style

5-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Volt 5-Door HB	35	40	$32,817	$34,185

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,040

$71,625

$32,817

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$41,350

$75,000

$34,185

Monthly Payment Estimate

$689 / month

$1250 / month

$570 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2014 BMW i3 is a truly radical attempt to reinvent the car--and the BMW--for the crowded cities of a new century.

The 2014 ELR brings extended-range electric-car virtues to the Cadillac lineup, but its Volt-like appeal diminishes as the price balloons.

The 2014 Chevrolet Volt is one of the best plug-in vehicles on the market, and it costs $5,000 less than it did last year.

TCC Likes

Smooth, powerful acceleration
Nippy low-speed handling
Spare, elegant, stylish interior

Striking style
Luxurious interior design, materials
Smooth, quiet electric power

Electric drive without range anxiety
Good roadholding, silent running
GM's most modern interior design

TCC Dislikes

Lines are an acquired taste
Body roll, wheel hop 'not very BMW'
Awkward rear-seat access

Powertrain noise
Handling is luxury coupe, not sporty coupe
Is the wedgy styling a luxury look?

Slab-sided styling awkward in places
Federal incentive only on tax return
Recommends premium gasoline

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

31 mpg

35 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

35 mpg

40 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

49.90

53.90

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

36.90

37.80

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

55.20

56.52

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

33.60

34.10

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

42.20

42.05

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

34.70

36.02

Front Hip Room (in)

52.90

53.73

Second Hip Room (in)

48.60

51.21

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

90.0

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

62.10

61.20

Length, Overall (in)

157

186.00

177.10

Height, Overall (in)

55.90

56.64

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.40

62.10

Wheelbase (in)

101

106.10

105.70

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.70

70.40

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.1

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

36.9

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.5

10.6

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

16 x - TBD -

11.50 x - TBD -

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Regenerative

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

17 x - TBD -

11.80 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Electric Pwr

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.3

38.4

36.00

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.5

2.80

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.36

15.4

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

RBO

5GN

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P155/70R19

P245/40R20

P215/55R17

Rear Tire Order Code

RBO

5GN

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P245/40R20

P215/55R17

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2860

4050

3786

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

20 x 8.5

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

20 x 8.5

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

295

273

Engine Order Code

LUU

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

84 @ 4800

149

Engine Type

Electric

Gas/Electric

Gas/Electric I4

Fuel System

- TBD -

Electronic Fuel Injection

Displacement

1.4L/85.3

1.4L/85

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

111

- TBD -

93 (2013)

Battery Range (mi)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

137

- TBD -

101 (2013)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

124

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front wheel drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

Trans Type

Trans Description Cont. Again

Trans Order Code

MKA

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Reverse Ratio (:1)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Body Style

Hatchback

Coupe

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Cadillac ELR

Chevrolet Volt

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Watts Link

Compound Crank

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

HiPer Strut

MacPherson Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

9.3

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

1.5

- TBD -

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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