BMW i3 vs NIO Firefly
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW i3: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle, braked towing and energy consumption.
NIO Firefly: not on sale yet, so NIO hasn't published price and energy consumption.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
108.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the NIO Firefly gets a 13.2-inch display and 6-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the NIO Firefly. The NIO Firefly counters with Apple CarPlay, V2L and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW i3 uses a Electric producing 345kW and 645Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.
The NIO Firefly responds with a Single electric motor making 105kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds.
The BMW i3 has the clear power advantage at 345kW vs 105kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW i3 is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 108.7kWh (BMW i3) vs 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly), giving WLTP ranges of 460km and 330km. DC fast charging peaks at 400kW (BMW i3) vs 100kW (NIO Firefly).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i3 measures 4,760mm long on a 2,897mm wheelbase, 757mm longer than the NIO Firefly at 4,003mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i3 generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m diameter
Excellent
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Excellent
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.0 m of road; you have 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i3) vs 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW i3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW i3 takes 5 of 8 key spec categories. The NIO Firefly adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i3 and NIO Firefly?
The BMW i3 is the cheapest at $109,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i3 has the most range at 900km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW i3 and NIO Firefly carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i3 makes the most power at 345kW. The BMW i3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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