Comparison: Turning circle BMW i3 vs. competitors 2025

Let's talk turning circles, and more specifically, the BMW i3's ability to twirl around like a ballerina in a parking lot. This quirky electric hatchback from BMW is more agile than a cat on hot bricks when it comes to making U-turns, offering a turning circle that many of its rivals can only dream of. With its tight 9.90 meters turning circle, it’s clear that city driving was at the forefront of the minds of those clever Bavarian engineers when they designed the i3. This isn’t just a car; it’s your urban mobility solution, ready to tackle narrow streets and parking spots that would have larger cars sweating at the headlights.

BMW i3 - How has the turning circle changed over the generations?

Since its introduction, the i3 has stuck with its original formula – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – maintaining the same turning circle across its generations, from the original i3 I01 2013-2017 model through to the i3 I01 (1. Facelift) 2017-2022 variant. Both models boast that same nimble 9.90 m turning circle. This consistency highlights BMW's commitment to ensuring the i3 remains a practical, user-friendly choice for eco-conscious city dwellers.

The difference in Turning circle between first generation (i3 I01) from 2013 and last generation (i3 I01 (1. Facelift)) from 2017 is 0 m.
The turning circle of the current generation of i3 is 9 m.

The turning circle compared to other BMW models

When we turn our gaze to BMW’s broader lineup, it quickly becomes apparent that the i3 takes the crown for twirl-ability. It outmaneuvers titans like the BMW Z4 Roadster and even its performance-oriented siblings, making them look as though they are dancing in hiking boots with turning circles of 11.00 m and more. It’s almost as if the i3 is playing in a different league, proving that when it comes to taking tight corners and fitting into compact parking spaces, smaller and niftier is often better.

BMW i3 vs other current cars by BMW

(Turning circle)
Turning circle: i3 vs. other models by BMW
Variant nameTurning circle
2{series} Coupé 10 m
2{series} Cabrio 10 m
2{series} M Performance Cabrio 10 m
8{series} Cabrio 11 m
8{series} Coupé 11 m
8{series} M Performance Cabrio 11 m
8{series} M Performance Coupé 11 m
i5 M Performance Limousine 11 m
i5 M Performance Touring 11 m
3{series} Limousine 11 m
3{series} Touring 11 m
4{series} Cabrio 11 m
4{series} Coupé 11 m
2{series} M Performance Coupé 11 m
2{series} M2 Coupé 11 m
Z4 M Performance Roadster 11 m
Z4 Roadster 11 m
X1 11 m
X1 M Performance 11 m
2{series} Active Tourer 11 m
iX1 11 m
iX2 11 m
1{series} 11 m
1{series} M Performance 11 m
X2 11 m
2{series} Gran Coupé 11 m
5{series} Limousine 12 m
5{series} M Performance Limousine 12 m
5{series} M5 CS Limousine 12 m
5{series} M5 Limousine 12 m
5{series} Touring 12 m
X5 12 m
X5 M 12 m
X5 M Performance 12 m
X6 12 m
X6 M 12 m
X6 M Performance 12 m
8{series} Gran Coupé 12 m
8{series} M Performance Gran Coupé 12 m
8{series} M8 Cabrio 12 m
8{series} M8 Coupé 12 m
8{series} M8 Gran Coupé 12 m
iX 12 m
iX M Performance 12 m
i5 Limousine 12 m
i5 Touring 12 m
7{series} 12 m
7{series} M Performance 12 m
3{series} M Performance Limousine 12 m
3{series} M Performance Touring 12 m
3{series} M3 CS Limousine 12 m
3{series} M3 Limousine 12 m
3{series} M3 Touring 12 m
4{series} Gran Coupé 12 m
4{series} M Performance Cabrio 12 m
4{series} M Performance Coupé 12 m
4{series} M Performance Gran Coupé 12 m
4{series} M4 Cabrio 12 m
4{series} M4 Coupé 12 m
4{series} M4 CSL Coupé 12 m
i4 12 m
i4 M Performance 12 m
X3 12 m
X3 M 12 m
X3 M Performance 12 m
X4 12 m
X4 M 12 m
X4 M Performance 12 m
iX3 12 m
i7 13 m
i7 M Performance 13 m
X7 13 m
X7 M Performance 13 m
18. X1 11 m
21. iX1 11 m
22. iX2 11 m
25. X2 11 m
32. X5 12 m
33. X5 M 12 m
35. X6 12 m
36. X6 M 12 m
43. iX 12 m
61. i4 12 m
63. X3 12 m
64. X3 M 12 m
66. X4 12 m
67. X4 M 12 m
69. iX3 12 m
70. i7 13 m
72. X7 13 m

How does the turning circle of the BMW i3 compare to it's nearest competitors?

Looking beyond the BMW family to its direct rivals, the i3's turning prowess often leaves the competition in a bit of a spin. Compare it to, say, the Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius, with turning circles of 10.40 m and 11.00 m respectively, and the i3 demonstrates superior urban agility. Even more so against the likes of the Audi Q3 and the Jaguar XJS, parked at 11.80 m and 13.10 m respectively in the turning circle department. Simply put, the i3 is more at home executing balletic pirouettes in dense city environments than many of its bulkier counterparts, making it an ideal companion for the concrete jungle.

BMW i3 vs. similar cars

(Turning circle)
Turning circle: BMW i3 vs. similar cars
Car modelTurning circle
Estrima Birò 20225 m
ARI Motors 452/802 20196 m
Mobilize Duo 20256 m
Mobilize Bento 20256 m
ARI Motors Soleno 20247 m
ARI Motors 902 20237 m
Silence S04 Nanocar 20247 m
Fiat Topolino 20237 m
Citroen Ami 20247 m
ARI Motors Bruni 20248 m
Ligier JS 50 20248 m
Aixam Ambition 20238 m
Aixam Minauto 20238 m
Ligier Myli 20239 m
Aixam Mega 20249 m
Daewoo Nexia 19959 m
BMW i3 20179 m
Alpine A290 202410 m
VW ID.3 202310 m
BYD Dolphin 202310 m
Mazda 2 Hybrid 202410 m
Ford Ka+ 201810 m
Skoda Scala 202410 m
Opel Ampera 201710 m
Hyundai Kona 202110 m
Sono Motors Sion 202111 m
GWM ORA 03 202411 m
BMW i4 202112 m

Similar cars


Compare with ...

TOPlist