2019 BMW i3 vs 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs 2019 Tesla Model 3

2019 BMW i3

#8 in Subcompact Cars

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

#5 in Compact Cars

2019 Tesla Model 3

#2 in Large Cars

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120 Ah

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
i3 120 Ah	N/A	N/A	$41,840	$44,450
i3 120 Ah w/Range Extender	N/A	N/A	$45,420	$48,300
i3 s 120 Ah	N/A	N/A	$44,815	$47,650
i3 s 120 Ah w/Range Extender	N/A	N/A	$48,395	$51,500

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5-Door Wgn LT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Bolt EV 5-Door Wgn LT	N/A	N/A	$35,228	$36,620
Bolt EV 5-Door Wgn Premier	N/A	N/A	$39,461	$41,020

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Long Range Battery AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model 3 Long Range Battery AWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$49,900
Model 3 Long Range Battery RWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$44,500
Model 3 Mid Range Battery RWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,900
Model 3 Performance AWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$59,900
Model 3 Standard Range Battery Plus RWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$39,900
Model 3 Standard Range Battery RWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$35,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$41,840

$35,228

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$44,450

$36,620

$49,900

Monthly Payment Estimate

$741 / month

$610 / month

$832 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

5.8

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2019 BMW i3 is an all-electric hatchback that declares proudly that convention needn’t apply to eco-friendly drivers.

The 2019 Chevy Bolt EV electric hatchback started a trend that others are only now catching up to.

The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is a glimpse of the future in many ways; but it’s far from perfect.

TCC Likes

Efficient, all-electric powertrain
Unique looks, including interior
Attractive interior materials

Long electric range
It’s available on lots, no waiting
Drives like a normal car

Responsive, nimble driving feel
Precise and well-weighted steering
Minimalist cabin design

TCC Dislikes

Extremely expensive
Low range, despite bigger battery
Sporty model not really sporty

Is normal exciting, though?
Competitors are catching up, quickly
Cost-cutting materials are evident

Materials and assembly, up close
Road noise
Dependence on touchscreen

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Small station wagon

Large Cars

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.2

52.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

39.7

40.3

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

54.6

56.3

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

36.5

35.2

Front Leg Room (in)

40.5

41.6

42.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

37.9

37.7

Front Hip Room (in)

51.6

53.4

Second Hip Room (in)

50.8

52.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.4

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.9

59.1

62.2

Length, Overall (in)

158.3

164.0

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

62.9

62.8

56.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.1

62.2

Wheelbase (in)

101.2

102.4

113.2

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.9

69.5

72.8

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

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10 x - TBD -

13.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Partially Regenerative

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Electric Pwr

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.4

35.4

38.8

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

QBM

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P175/60R19

P215/50R17

P235/45WR18

Rear Tire Order Code

QBM

Front Tire Size

P155/70R19

P215/50R17

P235/45WR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2972

3563

4072

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5.5

17 x - TBD -

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 5

17 x - TBD -

18 X 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184

266

Engine Order Code

EN0

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4800

200

Engine Type

Electric

Fuel System

Electric

Displacement

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

102

110

112

Battery Range (mi)

153

238

310

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

124

128

120

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

113

119

116

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

All Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

9.70

7.05

9.00

Trans Type

Trans Description Cont. Again

Trans Order Code

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

Wagon

Sedan

Vehicle Name

BMW i3

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla Model 3

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Compound Crank (Torsion Beam)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

w/Coil Springs

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

MacPherson Strut

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Double Wishbone

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

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)

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Emissions

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

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

2019 BMW i3

2019 BMW i3 is available
Incentive: $7,500 lease credit
Financing: 3.35-percent for 60 months
Lease: From $299 per month for 36 months

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2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

2019 Bolt EV stocked to meet demand; 2020s coming soon
Get 20% off MSRP
Lease from $339 for 39 months
0% APR for 72 months + $3,250 bonus

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2019 Tesla Model 3

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