2026 BMW iX3 launches as R2 competitor

[Riviot]

the size and location of the grill looks like cross eyed Rivian headlights.

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[kurtlikevonnegut]

I don't care if it can go 1000 miles on a charge, I wouldn't be caught dead driving that hideous monstrosity.

I'm sure the designers were going for "edgy" and "futuristic" but they landed on "fugly." It's a face not even a mother could love.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I don't care if it can go 1000 miles on a charge, I wouldn't be caught dead driving that hideous monstrosity.

I'm sure the designers were going for "edgy" and "futuristic" but they landed on "fugly." It's a face not even a mother could love.

Seems to be BMWs new design ethos. Look no further than the regular iX. They have to be doing it on purpose at this point.

 

[iansriv]

There certainly will be more than zero overlap in potential customers. Someone looking at the higher-trim R2 might compare it with the lower-trim BMW. That works both ways though. Someone who's driven BMW's forever may be willing to check out this new EV upstart.

I try to focus on the ~80% of buyers a car is designed for, and what else they're looking at.

My guestimate is that roughly 50-70% of R2 buyers will be coming from ICE cars. It will primarily be cross-shopped with the Model Y, Ioniq 5, Mach-E, Blazer, and EV-6 when confined to an EV power train. It will also be compared with multiple other gas cars from people who are open to an EV, but are also looking at ICE options.

I think the R2 will do well in this market. There's competitors, and always will be. I can see reasons to pick the R2 over any of those other options, and I can see reasons other people might pick those options over the R2.

I agree with you in principle. But, there are people that cross-shop crazy segments. Take for example, me. I cross-shopped a Porsche Tycan with the R1S. Some of my friends did similar things. Perhaps I hang out with odd people.

 

[McLovin]

I am always cautious when I read "...to start around $60,000, offer up to an estimated 400 miles of range."

That usually means "start at $65k with reduced range and features". So expect a $70k+ price tag w/ "usual options", and $80k w/ the 400 miles of range.

 

[dgennetten]

They replaced the ugly side-by-side giant urinal stickers of the last generation with a new clit*ris sticker.

 

[RivAW]

Official specs/images/videos just released:

https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2204203

400 miles range, 463hp, charging can add 230 miles of range in 10 minutes
800V architecture, 400kW peak charging

How do we think Rivian's R2 will stack up?

Those big bucky beaver teeth?! WTF are the BMW designers thinking?

 

[Proxy]

Edit. Bad info. Also, the design language of the grill appeals to other locations that make up a large part of BMW sales.

 

[foxerson]

As RJ says, more good EVs is good for Rivian. Lower cost EVs moves more people to look at them, and some of those people might choose an R2 where they wouldn’t have before.

^^this^^
BMW will sell a bunch of these. The X3 is the 2nd best selling vehicle in their lineup after the X5. Current BMW loyalists will be less likely to gag at the styling. More EV owners and more EVs on the road will help to shed the lingering doubts of ICE traditionalists.

 

[Charlie-Mops]

I have always wanted a BMW… but I dont understand where their designers have been going the last decade. I really want to like it… but i can’t see past the grill.

My wife is leasing an iX and I HATE the front of that car.

 

[lefkonj]

As an owner of a BMW I4 this is a great looking option. Yes on the low end the R2 is cheaper but for a tri-motor R2 this BMW will be somewhat competitor. The R2 won't have the 'luxury' of the IX3 but will have more off-road style and features.

People tend to forget that BMW has been making EVs for a long time as well, and this new architecture will be a major change and should offer some great options not just for the IX line but the 3/4 series as well.

 

[mkg3]

The design of the IX3 kidney bean is soooo much better than the current IX or i4.

Since the kidney bean representation is synonymous with BMW, like the vertical headlamps of Rivian, one has to expect it.

The new i3 also being introduced next year appears to have even smaller kidney bean and back to horizontal representation.

 

[KRG]

I may be in the minority but i actually love this. As someone with an R2 reservation that is wanting a higher spec tri-motor, this is something that could tempt me away from another Rivian. I like the i4 also. Hate the iX though.

 

[KRG]

Also the grille is cool. It’s retro and I like it. I’m in my 30s and grew up with Chris Bangle BMWs, however. So I’m used to BMWs looking quirky.

 

[SASSquatch]

No driver screen. I would never buy one for that reason; the ugly beaver teeth aren't doing it any favors either.

No driver screen because the information that would be represented there is being displayed on the lower portion of the windshield (presumably projected).

I prefer a dedicated screen, but that is better than full reliance on a single screen in the center.

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