BMW I8 Roadster Safety

The BMW i8 Roadster is a plug-in hybrid sports car that blends supercar aesthetics with cutting-edge electrified engineering, targeting well-heeled buyers who want a head-turning, tech-forward driving experience. Offered here for the 2019 and 2020 model years, it sits in a rarified segment of open-top performance vehicles where exclusivity and innovation matter as much as outright speed.

The 2019-2020 BMW i8 Roadster lacks federal crash-test ratings, meaning no NHTSA star rating or Safety Index score is available for this model. This absence of data prevents an assessment of crashworthiness based on standardized tests. However, its recall record is notable: zero recalls were issued across both model years. This suggests a controlled manufacturing and certification process for this specialized vehicle. Owner complaints are similarly sparse, with only one report filed across both years. That single complaint documented zero crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities. While these are unverified reports, the minimal volume indicates very few owner-reported safety incidents. The i8 Roadster's documented safety record is clean by these metrics, but the lack of crash-test data means independent verification of its crash performance is unavailable.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the i8 Roadster for its striking, futuristic styling and the novelty of its hybrid powertrain, calling it one of the most visually dramatic open-top vehicles on the market. They tend to note that interior materials and refinement feel premium but not quite at the level of BMW's flagship models, and some find the driving dynamics more focused on theater than outright performance.