The most similar vehicle to the 2016 BMW i8 may be the now-discontinued Porsche 918 Spyder, which cost about eight times as much as BMW's $135,000-and-up coupe.
Other competitors differ in significant ways, though they have to be fast and expensive.
More traditional sports cars include the many models of Porsche 911 and the raucous, heavier Audi R8.
Perhaps BMW's own 6-Series coupe, with capacity for four—perhaps even its Z4 two-seater—may compete across the showroom floor.
But all are considerably larger and heavier, and their conventional powertrains may rule them out for some buyers.
The most likely competitor is actually the Tesla Model S, a five-seat, four-door electric luxury hatchback that runs on battery energy alone.
Still, Tesla buyers are likely more attuned to a light, forward-looking plug-in hybrid coupe with high energy efficiency than are those of more traditional sports and luxury models.
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 2016 BMW i8Browse Used Listings |  2016 Audi R8Browse Used Listings |  2016 BMW 6-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Porsche 911Browse Used Listings |  2016 Tesla Model SBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Porsche 918 SpyderBrowse Used Listings |
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The 2016 BMW i8 blends a stunning coupe design with a slew of advanced technology underneath; the plug-in hybrid powertrain, and its corresponding efficiency, may be all but irrelevant. |
The 2016 BMW M6 is a no-compromises kind of car for buyers unfazed by traditional sports car manufacturers. It's better suited for the streets than the track, and that's not a bad thing. |
From the satisfying Carrera to the outrageous GT3 RS, the 2016 Porsche 911 is consistently brilliant, and lives up to the this model line's pedigree in every respect—with some modern comforts spliced right in. |
There's still no direct competition for the 2016 Tesla Model S, which offers elegant design, 240 miles or more of all-electric range, and jaw-dropping acceleration in the higher-end models. It's one of a kind. |
The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder delivers unheralded levels of both performance and efficiency in a supercar. | |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $140,700 | Coming Soon | $77,300 | $84,300 | $68,000 | $845,000 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy | Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-3 | N/A | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 | Premium Unleaded H-6 | Electric | Gas/Electric V-8 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Subcompact Cars | N/A | Subcompact Cars | Minicompact Cars | Large Cars | Two Seaters |
| Style Name | |||||
| 2-Door Coupe | N/A | 2-Door Coupe 640i RWD | 2-Door Coupe Carrera | 2016.5 4-Door Sedan RWD 60 | 2-Door Roadster |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | N/A | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 4 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Coupe | N/A | Coupe | Coupe | Hatchback 2016.5 | Roadster |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | N/A | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2016 BMW i8 vs. 2016 Audi R8 | 2016 BMW i8 vs. 2016 BMW 6-Series | 2016 BMW i8 vs. 2016 Porsche 911 | 2016 BMW i8 vs. 2016 Tesla Model S | 2016 BMW i8 vs. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder | |
