BMW i3 vs Lexus ES All-Electric: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Lexus ES All-Electric costs about $17,413 less

That's $242 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

i3 50 xDrive$1,824/moTrue cost

ES All-Electric 500e AWD✓ $1,582/moTrue cost

2027 BMW i3

Closest matching trim: i3 50 xDrive

Sticker (MSRP)$74,900

+$13,913→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$88,813

+ running costs→↓− $25,899 resale

True cost$1,824/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Lexus ES All-Electric

Closest matching trim: ES All-Electric 500e AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$65,525

+$12,311→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$77,836

+ running costs→↓− $24,439 resale

True cost$1,582/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$74,900	✓ $65,525	ES All-Electric by $9,375
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,696	✓ $3,356	ES All-Electric by $340
Sales tax (HST)	$10,217	✓ $8,955	ES All-Electric by $1,262
Drive-away price	$88,813	✓ $77,836	ES All-Electric by $10,977
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $2,775	$2,892	i3 by $117
Insurance (estimate)	$18,873	✓ $17,685	ES All-Electric by $1,188
Maintenance (estimate)	$11,179	✓ $8,781	ES All-Electric by $2,398
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$17,627	✓ $15,318	ES All-Electric by $2,309
Lost return on your money	$17,870	✓ $15,752	ES All-Electric by $2,118
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$25,899	−$24,439	i3 by $1,460
Total
True cost	$131,329	✓ $113,916	ES All-Electric by $17,413
True cost a month	$1,824/mo	✓ $1,582/mo	ES All-Electric by $242
You pay each month	$1,866/mo	✓ $1,633/mo	ES All-Electric by $233
Practical
Fuel type	Electric	Electric	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	3	—
Fast charge, minutes	—	28	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	377	—
Range, km (winter about 70%)	—	444 (311)	—
Length	4.76 m	5.14 m	—
Ground clearance	—	14 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	35%	✓ 37%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

i3 50 xDrive $74,900ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $65,525Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $9,375

Freight and fees, before tax

i3 50 xDrive $3,696ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $3,356Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $340

Sales tax (HST)

i3 50 xDrive $10,217ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $8,955Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $1,262

Drive-away price

i3 50 xDrive $88,813ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $77,836Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $10,977

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

i3 50 xDrive ✓ $2,775ES All-Electric 500e AWD $2,892Cheaper by i3 by $117

Insurance (estimate)

i3 50 xDrive $18,873ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $17,685Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $1,188

Maintenance (estimate)

i3 50 xDrive $11,179ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $8,781Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $2,398

Loan rate

i3 50 xDrive 6.5%ES All-Electric 500e AWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

i3 50 xDrive $17,627ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $15,318Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $2,309

Lost return on your money

i3 50 xDrive $17,870ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $15,752Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $2,118

Resale after 6 yrs

i3 50 xDrive ✓ −$25,899ES All-Electric 500e AWD −$24,439Cheaper by i3 by $1,460

Total

True cost

i3 50 xDrive $131,329ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $113,916Cheaper by ES All-Electric by $17,413

True cost a month

i3 50 xDrive $1,824/moES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $1,582/moCheaper by ES All-Electric by $242

You pay each month

i3 50 xDrive $1,866/moES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ $1,633/moCheaper by ES All-Electric by $233

Practical

Fuel type

i3 50 xDrive ElectricES All-Electric 500e AWD ElectricCheaper by —

Seats

i3 50 xDrive 5ES All-Electric 500e AWD 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

i3 50 xDrive Not publishedES All-Electric 500e AWD 3Cheaper by —

Fast charge, minutes

i3 50 xDrive —ES All-Electric 500e AWD 28Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

i3 50 xDrive Not publishedES All-Electric 500e AWD 377Cheaper by —

Range, km (winter about 70%)

i3 50 xDrive —ES All-Electric 500e AWD 444 (311)Cheaper by —

Length

i3 50 xDrive 4.76 mES All-Electric 500e AWD 5.14 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

i3 50 xDrive —ES All-Electric 500e AWD 14 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

i3 50 xDrive 35%ES All-Electric 500e AWD ✓ 37%Cheaper by —

US crash test

i3 50 xDrive Not rated yetES All-Electric 500e AWD Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $9,375.