Compare 2016 BMW i3 vs 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf

2016 BMW i3

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf

Select style

4-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
i3 4-Door HB	N/A	N/A	$39,510	$42,400
i3 4-Door HB w/Range Extender	N/A	N/A	$43,050	$46,250

Select style

4-Door HB SE

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
e-Golf 4-Door HB SE	N/A	N/A	$27,835	$28,995
e-Golf 4-Door HB SEL Premium	N/A	N/A	$34,171	$35,595

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$39,510

$27,835

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$42,400

$28,995

Monthly Payment Estimate

$707 / month

$483 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.6

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2016 BMW i3 is a futuristic and different kind of car, not just a new take on what a BMW represents.

The 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf is a competent electric car, but its specs are less competitive than before.

TCC Likes

Powerful, smooth acceleration
Agile low-speed handling
Elegant, spare interior

Golf style, driving feel
The stealth electric car
Intuitive, straightforward controls

TCC Dislikes

Design is polarizing
Wheel hop, body roll "not very BMW"
Rear-seat riders can't open doors

Can't match 107-mile Leaf on range
CCS fast-charging sites rare
Only sold in 10 states

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

41.2

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

38.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

53.9

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

38.4

Passenger Capacity

4

5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

55.9

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

35.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

-

93.5

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

62

59.5

Wheelbase (in)

101

103.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70

70.8

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

60.8

Length, Overall (in)

157

168.1

Height, Overall (in)

62

57.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

-

5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

36.9

52.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.1

22.8

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

NA

NA

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

NA

NA

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Yes

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.3

35.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

NA

NA

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P205/55HR16

Spare Tire Size

NA

NA

Front Tire Order Code

NA

NA

Spare Tire Order Code

NA

NA

Rear Tire Size

P155/70R19

P205/55HR16

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2860

3380

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

NA

NA

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

16 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

NA

NA

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

16 X 6.5

Engine

Engine Type

Electric

Electric

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

199

Engine Order Code

NA

NA

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

115

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

111

105

Battery Range (mi)

81

83

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

137

126

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

124

116

Transmission

Trans Order Code

NA

NA

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

3.61

Trans Type

1

1

Trans Description Cont. Again

NA

NA

First Gear Ratio (:1)

-

2.70

Reverse Ratio (:1)

-

2.70

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Volkswagen e-Golf

Body Style

Hatchback

Hatchback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Multi-Link

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