2017 BMW i3 vs 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

2017 BMW i3

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Select style

60 Ah

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
60 Ah	N/A	N/A	$39,930	$42,400
94 Ah	N/A	N/A	$41,840	$44,450
94 Ah w/Range Extender	N/A	N/A	$45,420	$48,300

Select style

5-Door HB LT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
5-Door HB LT	N/A	N/A	$35,155	$36,620
5-Door HB Premier	N/A	N/A	$39,268	$40,905

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$39,930

$35,155

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$42,400

$36,620

Monthly Payment Estimate

$707 / month

$610 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.6

Read Our Full Review

7.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The BMW i3 is a technological and stylistic tour de force—yet like any technology, it's nearing its sell-by date.

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV could become the first mainstream electric car, with a 238-mile range and a base price in the high $30,000s before incentives.

TCC Likes

Smooth acceleration
Agile urban handling
Simple, elegant interior

238-mile range, normal price
Huge interior, small footprint
Excellent display graphics

TCC Dislikes

Polarizing style
Lacks BMW's traditional dynamism
Rear seat is compromised

Looks smaller than it is
Quick-charging costs extra
Economy-car interior plastics

Fuel Economy

City

Highway

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Small Station Wagon

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

54.6

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

36.5

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

41.6

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

37.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

52.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

39.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

51.6

Second Hip Room (in)

50.8

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

Exterior Dimensions

Length, Overall (in)

157

164.0

Height, Overall (in)

62.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.1

Wheelbase (in)

101

102.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.5

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

59.1

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)

16.9

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

- 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)

- TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.3

35.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Electric Pwr

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P155/70R19

P215/50R17

Rear Tire Order Code

QBM

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P215/50R17

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

QBM

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2799

3563

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

17 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

17 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Engine

Engine Order Code

EN0

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

200 @ - TBD -

Engine Type

Electric

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

266 @ - TBD -

Fuel System

Electric

Displacement

Mileage

Battery Range (mi)

238

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

137

128

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

124

119

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

111

110

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Trans Description Cont. Again

Trans Order Code

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front wheel drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

7.05

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Reverse Ratio (:1)

Summary

Body Style

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Semi-independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Compound Crank

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Independent

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Emissions

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

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