2020 BMW i8 Coupe Safety and Reliability

The IIHS and NHTSA have not subject the BMW i8 Coupe to a review for crashworthiness, as is the case for the vast majority of high-priced sports cars. That said, BMW's squeaky-clean safety reputation and the i8's many safety features dictate that it'll offer occupants good protection in the unfortunate event of a crash. Of course, there's also the incredibly strong carbon fiber structure of the i8 to provide extra peace of mind.

When assessing the safety credentials of a modern car, it's common to begin with the airbag count, so it's reassuring that the i8 has eight of them, including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Other safety essentials like tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, ABS brakes, and dynamic stability control are all in place, as they should be.

Front and rear parking distance control lessens the likelihood of scratching the i8's fancy bodywork. BMW's Active Driving Assistant bundles together surround view, speed limit data, pedestrian protection, city collision mitigation, and frontal collision warning. It's just a pity that the likes of adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning don't make it onto the list. While LED headlights are standard, icon adaptive LED headlights with BMW's Laserlight can be added on as an option, but for an expensive $6,300.

A complex plug-in hybrid sports car is bound to raise questions about long-term reliability, and although the i8 doesn't seem to suffer from any serious maladies, it was recalled twice in 2019 for two electric-related faults. The first recall was for a potential shutdown of high-voltage electrical power, possibly leading to a lack of propulsion. Shortly after this, the i8 (along with the i3 and other hybrid BMWs) was recalled again, this time for the risk of an electric shock or a fire from the charging cable.

BMW's standard four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty also applies to the i8. Additional coverage is provided by a 12-year/unlimited-miles rust perforation warranty, four years of roadside assistance regardless of mileage, and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.