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

[ACDC]

iX3 Reviews List: https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2218993

The first reviews for the 2026 BMW iX3 are in and they're impressive. Hoping the R2 can garner this much praise in its first drive reviews.

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[DuoRivians]

800v, 400kw charging with 400 mile epa range. Great bones to the car

 

[Virtio]

Not bad for under $60K

 

[Zorg]

Sounds like the iX3 will be priced a bit above the R2S. Sure seems like a great product.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Man, I hate to be that guy...but the styling is growing on me a bit. I hate it, but can also see myself overlooking it based on those specs. Only time will tell if I warm up to it when it comes stateside.

 

[DaveA]

Not having 800v is going to come back to haunt R2. Imo. Unless they really beefed up battery cooling for these new cells.

 

[Jabbahop]

Thankfully the front is much better than the ix buck tooth but the interior design of the display is super distracting to me.

 

[RMSko]

800v, 400kw charging with 400 mile epa range. Great bones to the car

I think they actually can get up to 500 mile range, which is very impressive. The entire class of BMW EVs coming out over the next two years is very impressive. I love my R1S, but when my lease is up in two years I will certainly be looking at the BMW line.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I think that's being a bit short-sighted. I believe that BMW is one of the few that is learning from past mistakes and is actually giving it 100% with their Neue Klasse. They have the basics down:

• 800V architecture
• 400 kW charging
• 400-mile EPA range
• NACS (for U.S. market)
• Customizable one-pedal driving
• Looks like a pretty efficient use of space (other than the laughable frunk)

All the other stuff is going to come down to a matter of preference for styling inside and out and how much you're willing to spend. And as far as service is concerned, I have plenty of BMW service centers in my area, and only one Rivian service center. And I can't even PURCHASE a Rivian in my state (NC). I'd have to drive out of state to Virginia (three hours away) to pick up the vehicle (NC will let Rivian have service centers, but not a dealership to sell vehicles).

Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to pick up an R2 (unless the spec that I want overlaps with the iX3), but I'm not so quick to poo-poo the competition.

My biggest diss on the car would be this god-awful steering wheel (which is optional, thank goodness, according to Kyle of OoS).

 

[mikehmb]

Man, I hate to be that guy...but the styling is growing on me a bit. I hate it, but can also see myself overlooking it based on those specs. Only time will tell if I warm up to it when it comes stateside.

I hear you. But they did manage to de-iX it, and it has at least landed on "Squinty Beaver". The lines are much more cohesive, and while the rear end does evoke the X2 (which I never liked), it all hangs together.

Great car. Won't have off-road chops at all but it'll be a great driver.

 

[Nixapatfan]

Only fools want timely service with abundant service centers, waiting 3 months for service is so much more exciting! Or be able to text message natively or want 800v charging, V2H capabilities and etc. damn fools!

 

[R2D2TOO]

Don't really see this as a competitor to the R2 - at all. Wholly different market.
BMWs are expensive to buy and maintain. I doubt that will be any different with this one.
I AM glad to see them onboard with EVs, though.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

This comment won’t age well. Drive better.

 

[DuoRivians]

BMW also built this vehicle (and neue klass platform) to be able to compete in China. I’d say the bar to compete for EVs in China is higher than in the U.S.

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