2015 BMW i3 — Full Specifications
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The 2015 BMW i3 is a saloon/sedan powered by a 0.6L 2-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 47 mpg (UK) / 39 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a BMW i3 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2014 BMW i3: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 47 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 0.6L 2-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Plug-in Hybrid |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 84 cu ft (2,379 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 15 cu ft (425 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 47 combined / 49 urban / 44 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 39 combined / 41 city / 37 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 25 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 10 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,100 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2015 BMW i3, all with the 0.6L 2-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6L 2-cyl (Plug-in Hybrid) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 47 | 39 (41/37) | 25 | $2,100 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 84 cubic feet (about 2,379 litres) and luggage volume at 15 cubic feet (about 425 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2015 BMW i3
Running Costs: 2015 BMW i3
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2015 BMW i3 at 47 mpg combined, expect roughly 774 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,100 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2015 BMW i3 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2015 BMW i3 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 17V720000, reported 16 November 2017. Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
- Fuel system — campaign 17V088000, reported 9 February 2017. Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Air bags — campaign 15V628000, reported 7 October 2015. Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW i3. The most-reported areas are Steering (15), Structure (7), Air bags (7). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 1 reported fire. That is close to the median of 40 complaints across the 6 BMW i3 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2015 BMW i3
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (2 recall campaigns · 7 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Steering (15 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Fuel system (1 recall campaign) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Body structure (7 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
BMW models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2015 BMW i3's 47 mpg is 19 mpg above that make average. Its 25 g/km CO₂ figure is 215 g/km lower than the 240 g/km BMW average.
Of the 8 BMW i3 model years we cover, the 2015 is the most economical on its best configuration (47 mpg UK combined). See every BMW i3 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2015 BMW i3
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2015 BMW i3 have?
It's fitted with a 0.6L 2-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (a1) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2015 BMW i3?
The most efficient configuration returns around 47 mpg (UK) combined, or 39 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2015 BMW i3 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,100 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2015 BMW i3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2015 BMW i3 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2015 BMW i3?
Among the 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Steering (15 complaints), Structure (7 complaints), Air bags (7 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2015 BMW i3 have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 84 cubic feet (about 2,379 litres) and luggage volume at 15 cubic feet (about 425 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.