2014 BMW i3 vs 2014 Chevrolet Volt vs 2014 Tesla Model S

2014 BMW i3

2014 Chevrolet Volt

2014 Tesla Model S

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

5-Door HB

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

Select style

4-Door Sedan 60 kWh Battery

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model S 4-Door Sedan 60 kWh Battery	N/A	N/A	N/A	$69,900
Model S 4-Door Sedan 85 kWh Battery	N/A	N/A	N/A	$79,900
Model S 4-Door Sedan P85	N/A	N/A	N/A	$93,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan P85D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$119,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,040

$32,817

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$41,350

$34,185

$69,900

Monthly Payment Estimate

$689 / month

$570 / month

$1165 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

8.6

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

Now in its third year, the 2014 Tesla Model S has no direct competitor. It remains the undisputed top choice in the growing world of plug-in electric cars, and there's a good case to be made that it's the most advanced car of any kind on the planet.

TCC Likes

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

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

Striking design, tunning performance
Nothing else competes with it
Fast-growing Supercharger network

TCC Dislikes

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

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

Only offered in certain states
Missing some luxury features
Pricey options boost bottom line

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

35 mpg

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

40 mpg

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Large Cars

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

53.90

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

37.80

38.8

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

56.52

57.7

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

34.10

35.4

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

42.05

42.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

36.02

35.3

Second Hip Room (in)

51.21

54.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.0

Front Hip Room (in)

53.73

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

61.20

65.4

Length, Overall (in)

157

177.10

195.9

Height, Overall (in)

56.64

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.10

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

101

105.70

116.5

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.40

77.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.1

26.3

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

36.9

58.1

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.6

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.50 x - TBD -

14.4

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Regenerative

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.80 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Electric Pwr

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.3

36.00

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.4

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.80

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

5GN

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P155/70R19

P215/55R17

P245/45WR19

Rear Tire Order Code

5GN

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P215/55R17

P245/45WR19

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2860

3786

4647

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

17 x 7.0

19 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

17 x 7.0

19 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

273

317

Engine Order Code

LUU

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

149

302 @ 5000

Engine Type

Electric

Gas/Electric I4

Electric

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Displacement

1.4L/85

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

111

93 (2013)

Battery Range (mi)

208

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

137

101 (2013)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

124

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

9.73

Trans Type

Trans Description Cont. Again

Trans Order Code

MKA

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front wheel drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

8.28

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Reverse Ratio (:1)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Body Style

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Chevrolet Volt

Tesla Model S

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Compound Crank

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

MacPherson Strut

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

9.3

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer 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

- 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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