JohnKelly said:
If your commute is only 20 miles and you have other cars, it might be a good idea to get an i3 that is a BEV (electric only). They are slightly more reliable, less costly, noticeably quicker off the line, and they weigh less. There is no need for a Rex for such short trips. I have had both, but require the Rex for heat in the winter and the occaisional longer than usual trip... it is our only car... and we live in a remote area. If I were in your position, it would not even be a question... I would get an i3 BEV.
For Tucson, though, it's so far from anything else, that if you *EVER* want to drive it further than Phoenix, the REx is a must. And even then, a 2015 couldn't even do Phoenix as a BEV without stopping. Without a REx, the i3 becomes truly an "in town
only" vehicle in Tucson. There is only one DC Quick Charger between Phoenix and Tucson, and if it's out of order, you're SOL.
There is no way to drive a <80 mile range BEV from Tucson to Los Angeles. None. There aren't even level 2 chargers closer than 70 miles apart on any route. (And the one route that has them 70 miles apart, it's a 50 mile stretch, then one L2 charger, then 70 miles, then two L2 chargers near each other, than another 50 miles to a single. If either of the single chargers go out, you're SOL.) Also, I hope you don't do it during really hot weather (AKA 6 months of the year) when you want to use range-killing AC.
For many parts of the country, sure, a BEV is a great choice. But for Tucson? Not without the bigger battery. I mean, yes, if you have other vehicles, and truly *NEVER* plan on driving the i3 for anything except commuting, maybe. But if that M3 ever breaks down, and your husband has the X6, and you really need to drive to Phoenix suddenly, having the "safety net" of the extra range (either by a later bigger battery model or a REx) is nice.