2017 BMW i3 vs 2017 Tesla Model S

2017 BMW i3

2017 Tesla Model S

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

RWD 60

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RWD 60	N/A	N/A	N/A	$68,000
RWD 75	N/A	N/A	N/A	$69,500
AWD 60D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$73,000
AWD 75D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$74,500
AWD 90D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$87,500
AWD 100D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$94,000
AWD P100D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$135,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$39,930

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$42,400

$68,000

Monthly Payment Estimate

$707 / month

$1133 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.6

Read Our Full Review

8.3

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 Tesla Model S is unlike any other car on the road for several reasons—good and bad.

TCC Likes

Smooth acceleration
Agile urban handling
Simple, elegant interior

Unbelievable—even "Ludicrous"—performance
Electric range comparable to regular cars
Network of fast-charging stations

TCC Dislikes

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

Stark cabin
Can be very expensive in top trims
Questionable service schemes

Fuel Economy

City

Highway

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Large Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

35.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

38.8

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

57.7

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

35.4

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

42.7

Front Hip Room (in)

Second Hip Room (in)

54.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

77.3

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

65.4

Length, Overall (in)

157

196

Height, Overall (in)

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

101

116.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

36.9

58.1

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.1

26.3

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.4

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.3

Tires

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P245/45WR19

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P155/70R19

P245/45WR19

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2799

4469

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

19 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

19 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Engine

Engine Type

Electric

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

317

Engine Order Code

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

382

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

111

101

Battery Range (mi)

210

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

137

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

124

Transmission

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

9.73

Trans Type

Trans Description Cont. Again

Trans Order Code

First Gear Ratio (:1)

8.28

Summary

Body Style

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Tesla Model S

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Double Wishbone

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