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Top-rated i3 rental
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip
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Electric pioneer, built for the city
Drive an i3
The BMW i3 is BMW's first series-production battery-electric model, built around a lightweight carbon-fiber cabin. A BMW i3 rental puts you behind the wheel of that pioneering design, with 153 miles of EPA range.
The i3 is quick, nimble, and made for city streets. It's BMW's first series-production battery-electric model, with rear-wheel drive and a tight 32.4 ft turning circle for U-turns and snug parking spots. It's also one of the most distinctive ways to try a BMW car rental on Turo.
On Turo, you book your i3 from a local vehicle owner on the car rental marketplace and arrange pickup that fits your plans. BMW sold the i3 in the US for model years 2014–2021, so listings span several years — check the year before you book.
i3 specs
Range
153 miles
Weight
2,972 lbs
Acceleration
0-60 mph in 7.2 sec
Top speed
93 mph
Carbon-fiber build, lightweight by design
The i3's standout strength is its carbon-fiber build. BMW's LifeDrive architecture sets a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, called the Life module, on an aluminum Drive module. It was the first mass-produced CFRP passenger cell, and it helps hold the i3's curb weight to 2,972 lbs — battery and all.
Instant electric torque
The i3 delivers its power the moment you press the pedal. The base car makes 168 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed transmission. That's enough to reach 0–60 mph in 7.2 sec, brisk enough for merging and city sprints.
The sportier i3s raises output to 181 hp and 199 lb-ft and trims the 0–60 mph run to 6.9 sec. Either version returns 113 MPGe combined (124 city and 102 highway), so stop-and-go traffic plays to its strengths. You get brisk, quiet acceleration and efficient running in the same compact package.
Coach doors & an open cabin
The i3's rear doors are rear-hinged, so they open opposite the front doors, coach-style. There's no B-pillar between them, so swinging both open reveals a wide, uninterrupted entry. That's handy when you're loading bags or helping passengers settle in.
Inside, there's no center tunnel, which keeps the cabin feeling open from side to side. The i3 seats four, and the cargo area holds 15.1 cu ft, with up to 36.9 cu ft of maximum cargo space. There's room for a weekend bag, a load of groceries, or a pair of carry-ons.
Stand out with an i3
The i3 is a strong match for city trips, short commutes, and guests curious about EV ownership. Design fans get a conversation piece, too — few cars look like it, inside or out. If you're weighing range and charging needs, browse more electric vehicle rental options on Turo.
Top i3 features
Sustainable interior materials
Three details set the i3 apart: sustainable interior materials, an optional Range Extender, and its status as a modern classic in the making.
The i3 surrounds you with renewable and recycled materials. BMW used kenaf natural fibers on the door panels and dash, and 25% of the interior plastic is recycled or renewable.
Even the seat textiles come from recycled fibers. The cabin follows the same thinking as the drivetrain — do more with less. It's a detail you'll notice every time you slide behind the wheel. For eco-minded guests, it turns an ordinary city errand into a chance to experience a different approach to car design.
Range Extender option
Some i3s carry an optional Range Extender (REx), a small gas generator with a 2.3-gallon tank. It stretches total range to about 200 miles, compared with 153 miles for the battery-only i3.
There's a tradeoff, though. REx cars cover 126 miles on electricity alone, with the generator adding the rest. Check the listing to see which version you're booking — it shapes how you plan charging stops, side trips, and longer days out. If your plans include more driving between charges, a REx car gives you extra breathing room.
A modern classic in the making
The i3 already holds a place in EV history as BMW's first series-production battery-electric model. Production ran September 2013–August 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. Over about 8.5 years, BMW built 250,000 of them and sold the i3 in at least 74 countries.
Production has ended, so every i3 you'll find on Turo comes from the 2014–2021 US model years. That makes each trip a chance to drive a milestone in BMW's electric story. You'll drive the car that opened BMW's battery-electric era, carbon-fiber cabin and coach doors included.
Others BMW models
Recent reviews
Car was very clean and ran as expected! Definitely would rent again! Thanks for your accommodation!
My recent car rental experience was truly outstanding, largely thanks to the incredible host. From start to finish, they were an absolute professional, answering all my questions thoroughly and patiently. Their communication was excellent, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. I would book with them again in a heartbeat and recommend them 1000 percent to anyone looking for a seamless and positive car rental experience!
Great Car, Super Clean, Amazing host , Super easy check in! I would definitely rent again!!
Great hosts very communicative and accommodating when I needed to change the reservation last minute. Highly recommend very fun car to drive in LA.
The host was very accommodating, and responded promptly to my messages. The car had all the amenities I needed, was fairly clean, good on gas, well maintained. Although its an EV it drove nice and fast. No complaints. I'd rent from him again and recommend to others as well.
Really great experience overall. The host was communicative, flexible, and easy to coordinate with, which made the whole process smooth and stress free. The BMW i3 drives incredibly well with quick acceleration and a fun feel on the highway. There is a small learning curve since the system can be sensitive, like needing to plug in the passenger seatbelt if you place a bag on the seat, but it’s easy to adjust to. It’s simple to charge, much more affordable than gas, and having the backup gas tank is a huge plus if the battery runs low. I would absolutely recommend this host and the car.
Host was very responsive and helpful. I absolutely loved the car. I had trouble charging it at my home with the portable charger, but that might come with the territory of having an electric car 😅 Once it was charged, it was perfect 👌🏼
Amazing host with great communication, the car drives great, is well-designed and is easy/affordable to charge. The system is quite sensitive with warning signals/possible problems, so it’s a bit of a learning curve. When the battery died, the host came out to care of it right away, which is super important!
Everything great with the car, the communication with the host was fast and clear.
Thank you for allowing me to rent your vehicle! The i3 was a run drive, the host was responsive and the pick-up/drop-off location was easy to find and easy to park during the return. Thank you, again, Golden State! I’m sure I’ll rent from you again in the future!
Great car, easy pickup, communicative host. Overall super easy and great turo experience
The host was very nice easy pick up easy drop off will definitely rent again.
Car was Great, Location was easy, and the Host was Fantastic. Thanks for a great experience.
Beautiful car and the host was so nice, definitely hope to book again in the future 🌞
Top tips and things to know before renting a i3
Get to know your i3
A little prep makes an i3 trip easier: know which version you're booking, plan charging around its range, and compare trip lengths for the best price.
Start with the model year and trim on the listing. The i3s is the sportier version, and REx cars add a gas generator, while BEV cars run on battery alone. Cars from the 2019–2021 model years carry a 42.2 kWh battery, and every i3 seats four.
To compare more options, browse BMW rentals in San Francisco, BMW rentals in Los Angeles, or BMW rentals in Miami.
i3 driving tips
Plan your days around the i3's 153 miles of range, and charging stays simple. Check the charge level at pickup, and if you can plug in at 240V, a full charge takes about seven hours.
The coach doors take a moment to learn — open the front door first, then the rear door. Keep your plans city-first, since short hops and errands are where the i3 feels most at home.
How much does it cost to rent an i3?
The price of a BMW i3 car rental depends on the model year, trip length, extras, and delivery. You can save 10% when you book a non-refundable trip four or more days ahead. Duration discounts kick in at three days, one week, and one month.
Trips of 30 days or more skip the trip fee with long-term car rental, except in parts of Los Angeles and New York.
Turo car rental vs. traditional rental
Turo Car rental
App-based experience
No waiting in line
1,600+ unique makes & models
Get the exact car you choose
Delivery options & thousands of pickup locations
Cars rented out by local small businesses
Vehicles and hosts rated by guests
Traditional rental
Standard rental counter experience
Waiting in line
Limited selection
Get a type of vehicle “or similar”
Pickup at retail locations
Owned by large corporations
No vehicle ratings
Skip the rental car counter
On the Turo car rental marketplace, you can rent the perfect car for wherever you’re going from a vibrant community of trusted hosts. Whether you're flying in from afar or looking for a car down the street, searching for a rugged truck or something smooth and swanky, Turo puts you in the driver's seat of an extraordinary selection of cars rented out by local hosts.Frequently asked questions about i3 rentals on Turo
What documents do you need to rent a BMW i3 on Turo?
You need a physical, valid driver's license to rent a BMW i3 on Turo. You'll add your license details and other required info at checkout.
What type of license do you need to rent an i3?
You need a valid permanent or temporary license from the US or your home country to rent an i3. Turo doesn't accept learner's permits, photocopies, or an International Driving Permit in place of a license.
How old do you need to be to rent a BMW i3?
The minimum age to rent a BMW i3 depends on the vehicle's class:
18+ for standard vehicles
21+ for vehicles with a total market value over $20,000
25+ for Deluxe vehicles
30+ for Super Deluxe, Classic, and Specialty vehicles
Drivers aged 18–24 pay a young driver fee.
Do you need your own insurance to rent an i3?
No — you don't need to provide your own insurance to book an i3 on Turo.
Are there discounts on BMW i3 rentals?
Yes — you can save 10% when you book a non-refundable BMW i3 trip four or more days ahead. You may also see duration discounts at three days, one week, and one month.
Can you rent a BMW i3 long term?
Yes — you can book a BMW i3 for a month or more. Trips of 30 days or longer have no trip fee, except in parts of Los Angeles and New York.
Do BMW i3 rentals include unlimited mileage?
It depends on the listing. Some BMW i3 rentals include unlimited mileage, while others offer an "Unlimited mileage" Extra, so check the listing before you book.
Can other people drive the i3 you rent?
Yes — approved additional drivers can drive the i3 you rent. Add them in the Turo app.
How far can a BMW i3 go on a charge?
A BMW i3 goes an EPA-estimated 153 miles on a charge. Cars with the optional Range Extender reach about 200 miles total.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. In the US, liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance for trips in the US, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site. When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but the Turo insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.