Rival: 2026 BMW iX3 reviews are impressive... R2 has its work cut out

[captainjp]

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[DuoRivians]

I guess the explanation is because this is a Rivian forum, but I’m surprised by how many people don’t think the BMW iX3 is the better value at these prices.

My iX3 configuration comes out to $68K with destination charges included.

My R2 configuration comes out to $61K before destination, so perhaps $63K with destination.

For about $5K more, I get 434 miles of epa range and 400kw charging speeds. Thats 33% more range and 2x max charging speeds.

 

[usulio]

I guess the explanation is because this is a Rivian forum, but I’m surprised by how many people don’t think the BMW iX3 is the better value at these prices.

My iX3 configuration comes out to $68K with destination charges included.

My R2 configuration comes out to $61K before destination, so perhaps $63K with destination.

For about $5K more, I get 434 miles of epa range and 400kw charging speeds. Thats 33% more range and 2x max charging speeds.

Looks that way to me too. Unless you want the R2 to do something the iX3 can't do in terms of storage or off roading, or you want the cheaper model R2.

 

[DuoRivians]

Looks that way to me too. Unless you want the R2 to do something the iX3 can't do in terms of storage or off roading, or you want the cheaper model R2.

Cheaper iX3 will also be available next year as well

 

[Jeremy3292]

I guess the explanation is because this is a Rivian forum, but I’m surprised by how many people don’t think the BMW iX3 is the better value at these prices.

My iX3 configuration comes out to $68K with destination charges included.

My R2 configuration comes out to $61K before destination, so perhaps $63K with destination.

For about $5K more, I get 434 miles of epa range and 400kw charging speeds. Thats 33% more range and 2x max charging speeds.

I would argue how a car looks and the price are the top 2 things people look for when buying a car. Most people end up compromising on some features at the end of the day. A lot of people also hate dealerships. That alone keeps me away from an iX3.

Ignoring add ons, which vary person to person, MSRP is $61.5k for iX3 Base and $54k on R2 Premium which are the most comparable trims. That's a $7,500 difference. Significant for a lot of households.

 

[DuoRivians]

I would argue how a car looks and the price are the top 2 things people look for when buying a car. Most people end up compromising on some features at the end of the day. A lot of people also hate dealerships. That alone keeps me away from an iX3.

Ignoring add ons, which vary person to person, MSRP is $61.5k for iX3 Base and $54k on R2 Premium which are the most comparable trims. That's a $7,500 difference. Significant for a lot of households.

R2 premium would be comparable to the iX3 40 coming out the same time the R2 premium is.

 

[Jeremy3292]

R2 premium would be comparable to the iX3 40 coming out the same time the R2 premium is.

Specs seem the same to me on iX3 50 outside of range and charging speed that you already mentioned are the differentiators of course.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I guess the explanation is because this is a Rivian forum, but I’m surprised by how many people don’t think the BMW iX3 is the better value at these prices.

My iX3 configuration comes out to $68K with destination charges included.

My R2 configuration comes out to $61K before destination, so perhaps $63K with destination.

For about $5K more, I get 434 miles of epa range and 400kw charging speeds. Thats 33% more range and 2x max charging speeds.

I agree but to me performance and looks matter - to a fault. If I'm spending this much money, I better love the way the car looks. And it also helps that the R2 is faster. $5k is also not change.

I will need to test drive both to make any final decisions but strongly leaning R2 based on looks, mostly. I don't think the iX3 is offensive but I certainly find myself trying to come to terms with it rather than admiring it.

 

[DuoRivians]

I agree but to me performance and looks matter - to a fault. If I'm spending this much money, I better love the way the car looks. And it also helps that the R2 is faster. $5k is also not change.

I will need to test drive both to make any final decisions but strongly leaning R2 based on looks, mostly. I don't think the iX3 is offensive but I certainly find myself trying to come to terms with it rather than admiring it.

I hear you on the looks. I’m not saying it doesn’t matter. But for me, it doesn’t matter that much over the iX3’s design, in light of the much better core EV tech one gets. 4.5s 0-60 is also plenty fast for me.

Why couldn’t Rivian make the R2 have 800v, with more battery, and charge $5K more?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I agree but to me performance and looks matter - to a fault. If I'm spending this much money, I better love the way the car looks. And it also helps that the R2 is faster. $5k is also not change.

I will need to test drive both to make any final decisions but strongly leaning R2 based on looks, mostly. I don't think the iX3 is offensive but I certainly find myself trying to come to terms with it rather than admiring it.

Ditto. Performance is something you experience with every single drive. And looks something you see every single time you walk up to it and away, when you do the turn-around "yah that's mine" glance. Either way I'd be spending a chunk of hard earned $. If I don't love it enough to do the second look, then it's not worth any dollar.

 

[Sportstick]

I agree but to me performance and looks matter - to a fault. If I'm spending this much money, I better love the way the car looks. And it also helps that the R2 is faster. $5k is also not change.

I will need to test drive both to make any final decisions but strongly leaning R2 based on looks, mostly. I don't think the iX3 is offensive but I certainly find myself trying to come to terms with it rather than admiring it.

If it had been a CATL battery instead of LG Chem and some interiors other than black and white, it would have been a much closer call for me. Not happy with how the R2 product plan allows choices/combinations, but it would have been closer to think about.

 

[Great Gatsby]

If it had been a CATL battery instead of LG Chem and some interiors other than black and white, it would have been a much closer call for me. Not happy with how the R2 product plan allows choices/combinations, but it would have been closer to think about.

Outside of Red Canyon not being offered, I think the biggest miss for me personally is a lack of another interior option, like brown. For an adventure brand, you would think that would be a no brainer.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I hear you on the looks. I’m not saying it doesn’t matter. But for me, it doesn’t matter that much over the iX3’s design, in light of the much better core EV tech one gets. 4.5s 0-60 is also plenty fast for me.

Why couldn’t Rivian make the R2 have 800v, with more battery, and charge $5K more?

Timing, promised price, not completely eating R1 sales, chasing Tesla and current U.S. infrastructure. Plenty of reasons unfortunately. I get it but do hope it is in the works if they expect to remain competitive in the coming years.

 

[Sportstick]

Outside of Red Canyon not being offered, I think the biggest miss for me personally is a lack of another interior option, like brown. For an adventure brand, you would think that would be a no brainer.

So true. This interior with the Vegas Red exterior did a lot to capture me to be in every day...

 

[rbdavis808]

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