BMW i3 Vehicle Class & Size
The EPA classifies the 2021 BMW i3 as a Subcompact Cars, a rating based on body style and interior volume.
Latest model year (2021):
The BMW i3 is classified by the EPA as a Subcompact Cars.
BMW i3 Vehicle Class — All Years
| Year | Trim | Vehicle Class | Drive | Fuel Type | MPG Comb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021Config 1 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2021Config 2 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2021Config 3 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2021Config 4 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2020Config 1 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2020Config 2 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2020Config 3 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2020Config 4 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2019Config 1 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2019Config 2 of 4 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 113 |
| 2019Config 3 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2019Config 4 of 4 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 31 |
| 2018Config 1 of 3 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 118 |
| 2018Config 2 of 3 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 112 |
| 2018Config 3 of 3 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 35 |
| 2017Config 1 of 3 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 118 |
| 2017Config 2 of 3 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 124 |
| 2017Config 3 of 3 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 35 |
| 2016Config 1 of 2 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 124 |
| 2016Config 2 of 2 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 39 |
| 2015Config 1 of 2 | Auto (A1) | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | 124 |
| 2015Config 2 of 2 | Auto (A1), 2 cyl, 0.6 L | Subcompact Cars | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 39 |
Data sourced from fueleconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy). MPG figures are EPA-tested. Fuel costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and 15,000 miles/year.
BMW i3 data analysis
How to read this BMW i3 data
This page lists every 2015 through 2021 BMW i3 record we hold for this measurement — 22 rows in total, one per configuration and model year rather than a single headline figure. Figures are published as the source agency records them: we do not round, average or interpolate missing years, and a year that is absent from the table is a year with no published measurement rather than a zero. Where a manufacturer offered several drivetrains or body styles in the same year, each appears on its own row, because those variants rarely share the same numbers.
Where these BMW i3 figures come from
Every value on this page is loaded from federal open data — EPA fuel economy submissions, NHTSA vehicle and crash-test records, and manufacturer specification filings — rather than dealer listings or copied editorial content. The BMW i3 record refreshes as the agencies publish, which typically means new model-year rows appear in the autumn and crash-test results follow through the model year as vehicles are tested. Because certification data is filed per configuration, treat any single headline number for this vehicle with caution: the figure that applies to a specific car depends on its engine, drivetrain, body style and model year, all of which are listed separately above. If a number here disagrees with a brochure, the brochure is usually quoting the best available configuration rather than the one being sold.
Frequently Asked Questions About i3 Vehicle Class
What class of vehicle is the BMW i3?
The EPA classifies the BMW i3 as a Subcompact Cars. This classification is based on interior volume and body style and affects how its fuel economy is compared with other vehicles.
Is the BMW i3 considered a small or large vehicle?
Based on its EPA class (Subcompact Cars), the BMW i3 is grouped with vehicles of similar size and interior volume. The class can change between model years when the body is redesigned.
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