The BMW i8 occupies a unique niche in the market; no other sport coupes blend sexy styling with up to 15 miles of all-electric running along with their performance credentials.
Other competitors, while equally pricey and fast, differ significantly.
The Tesla Model S offers superior performance in its highest models, but while sleek, it's a four-door hatchback sedan, not a sport coupe (let alone its lack of gull-wing doors).
Still, Tesla buyers may be more attuned to a light plug-in hybrid coupe with electric running than are those who opt for more traditional sports and luxury models.
Two examples are the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, in all their various permutations, which are heavier and offer only combustion engines.
Similarly, BMW's own four-seat 6-Series coupe—perhaps even BMW's Z4 two-seater—may compete across the showroom floor.
But the i8 remains largely a one-of-a-kind coupe.
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 2017 BMW i8Browse Used Listings |  2017 Acura NSXBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Audi R8Browse Used Listings |  2017 BMW 6-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Porsche 911Browse Used Listings |  2017 Tesla Model SBrowse Used Listings |
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The 2017 BMW i8 is a stunning coupe with gull-wing doors that hides a slew of advanced technology, though the design may render its energy-efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain all but irrelevant. |
The 2017 Acura NSX puts the classic nameplate through a worm hole, and trades all its undiluted mechanical purity for astonishing all-wheel-drive hybrid performance. |
The 2017 Audi R8 balances thrilling power and handling with everyday livability. |
The 2017 BMW 6-Series is a luxurious jack of all trades (speed, style, comfort, and quality) but a master of one: grand touring. |
The 2017 Porsche 911 is a toe into the waters of modernity with a base turbo engine that gets good fuel economy. Don't be fooled; it's every bit the super car it always has been. |
The 2017 Tesla Model S is unlike any other car on the road for several reasons—good and bad. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $143,400 | $156,000 | $162,900 | $77,600 | $89,400 | $68,000 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 21 MPG City / 22 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 22 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | ||
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-3 | Twin Turbo Gas/Electric V-6 | Premium Unleaded V-10 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 | Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded H-6 | Electric |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Subcompact Cars | Two-Seaters | Two-Seaters | Subcompact Cars | Minicompact Cars | Large Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| Coupe | Coupe | V10 quattro AWD | 640i Coupe | Carrera Coupe | 60 RWD *Ltd Avail* |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Coupe | Coupe | quattro Spyder | Coupe | Coupe | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 BMW i8 vs. 2017 Acura NSX | 2017 BMW i8 vs. 2017 Audi R8 | 2017 BMW i8 vs. 2017 BMW 6-Series | 2017 BMW i8 vs. 2017 Porsche 911 | 2017 BMW i8 vs. 2017 Tesla Model S | |
![Tesla Model S after IIHS small-overlap frontal crash test, Spring 2017 [frame from IIHS video]](https://images.hgmsites.net/med/the-2017-tesla-model-s-earned-only-an-acceptable-in-the-iihs-test_100613163_m.jpg "Tesla responds bitterly to subpar IIHS crash-test results for \"safest cars in history\"")
