DecodedCarsBMW i8
6 model years from 2014 to 2020, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2014–2020
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 1.5L 3-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 27–28 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2015 (5)
- Fewest problems
- 2016
- Interest
- 15,827 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2020 i8 in brief
The 2020 BMW i8 is a subcompact car offered with a 1.5L 3-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (26 city / 29 highway), 18% better than the 2020 subcompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The BMW i8 has 6 model years in our data, from 2014 to 2020.
Its most efficient year was 2017 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 27 to 28 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (5), engine (3), tires (1).
Buying used? 2016 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2019 is the year to avoid.
2019 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 6 campaigns and 10 owner complaints.
How the 2014 i8 compares
The 2014 BMW i8 is a subcompact car offered with a 1.5L 3-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (28 city / 29 highway), 20% better than the 2014 subcompact car average of 23.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
About the BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The i8 was part of BMW's electrified fleet and was marketed under the BMW i sub-brand. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. A roadster variant was launched in May 2018. Production ended in June 2020.
From the Wikipedia article "BMW i8", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2020 i8 pros & cons
Full 2020 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2020 subcompact car (22.9 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Show all 6 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
Alternatives to the 2017 i8
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 BMW i3 | 35 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 BMW 2 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2017 BMW 4 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2017 Lexus RC | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Audi S5 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →