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

[mkg3]

No matter how great the professional reviews are, any completely new vehicle will have teething issues in the early production run. No amount of testing can address all the potential issues. So if anyone is interested, recommend waiting a year or two before plunging in (btw, same goes for R2)

I read one of the reviews today and sounds like BMW got this one right. Some are describing it as the best BMW today. Look forward to what else they are releasing as it was noted that BMW will release 40 models by 2027 on the new class platform.

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[Cascadian]

It looks like a great car.

It will be interesting to see how it compares to R2. I hope R2 comes in significantly cheaper.

 

[Ecupip]

I'm not a fan of the styling or car-like stance. It looks like a posh Chevy Bolt to me.

 

[Rivdog]

One of my favorite things about Rivian is the screen right behind the wheel rather than having everything in the center. This attempt to be a hybrid of both is a hard miss for me.

 

[Virtio]

Will be interesting to see what the new Volvo EX60 looks like when it's revealed in January. Time for an update to the EX40 too. It seems like the Audi Q6 turned out pretty good but a bit more expensive.

 

[seanocono]

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.

The iX3 will absolutely be cross-shopped with the R2. The price will be similar and they are both premium mid-size SUV EVs.

 

[R2D2TOO]

The iX3 will absolutely be cross-shopped with the R2. The price will be similar and they are both premium mid-size SUV EVs.

Do you really think so? I don't see it - not for me anyway. I have a deposit on an R2.
I see nothing appealing about the iX3.
All I see in common is that they are both EVs.
Here's my guess;
I very much doubt the iX3 will be priced lower than $60,000.
If they say the entry point is lower, you won't find one equipped that way anywhere.
Cargo space and interior room will be smaller, obviously.
Ground clearance will be much less, of course.
Off-road capabilities will be absent.
It will not have retractable rear glass.
The iX3 will look good, and will be fast, sure. But it holds zero interest for me.
.

 

[seanocono]

Do you really think so? I don't see it - not for me anyway. I have a deposit on an R2.
I see nothing appealing about the iX3.
All I see in common is that they are both EVs.
Here's my guess;
I very much doubt the iX3 will be priced lower than $60,000.
If they say the entry point is lower, you won't find one equipped that way anywhere.
Cargo space and interior room will be smaller, obviously.
Ground clearance will be much less, of course.
Off-road capabilities will be absent.
It will not have retractable rear glass.
The iX3 will look good, and will be fast, sure. But it holds zero interest for me.
.

I believe that a great majority of customers will not take the R2 off-road, which is why I think the comparison is fair and will likely occur.

I share your skepticism about the starting price of the iX3, but in fairness I am equally skeptical of the R2 starting price.

Also, are we certain that the cargo space and interior room will be dramatically different? I haven't seen the iX3 in person, but I have seen the R2 a couple of times and it's not a large vehicle. From the dimensions I've seen, it's overall length is slightly shorter than a Tesla Model Y, BMW X3, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, etc. -- although the R2 wheelbase is slightly longer.

Don't get me wrong, I personally prefer the R2 and think that it's going to be a huge success for Rivian, but I do believe the R2 will be compared against other premium mid-size SUV EVs regardless of off-road capability.

 

[Eric9610]

Sticker price won't matter because leasing an ix3 at let's say $65k will be $600-800 a month vs the Rivian at $55k with the same payment. Legacy brands have an advantage in the financing division. I can lease today a $120k i7 with only drive offs due at signing for less than a base R1T.... Also no one is going to pay the actual sticker price on any BMW estimate a 10% discount where the Rivian has 0 discount and the price is even closer with more features. Not to mention the total size on the ix3 will be bigger than an R2.

Just a note BMW does not charge as much as Rivian for paint. BMW asks for $400-800 for colors where Rivian is double to triple for any color other than silver. With discount on a base car with only paint the BMW will cost less than an R2... LOL

 

[savethemanual]

On specs alone, I'd buy this over the R2 but the overall vibe of the Rivian wins me over. The BMW's styling is fine with me and honestly will probably be more refined with NVH and overall quality....but I always root for the underdog in a fight. Go Rivian!

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I believe that a great majority of customers will not take the R2 off-road, which is why I think the comparison is fair and will likely occur.

I share your skepticism about the starting price of the iX3, but in fairness I am equally skeptical of the R2 starting price.

Also, are we certain that the cargo space and interior room will be dramatically different? I haven't seen the iX3 in person, but I have seen the R2 a couple of times and it's not a large vehicle. From the dimensions I've seen, it's overall length is slightly shorter than a Tesla Model Y, BMW X3, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, etc. -- although the R2 wheelbase is slightly longer.

Don't get me wrong, I personally prefer the R2 and think that it's going to be a huge success for Rivian, but I do believe the R2 will be compared against other premium mid-size SUV EVs regardless of off-road capability.

Exactly. I'm not buying the R2 because of its off-road abilities. I'm buying it because it's a crossover, I like the way it looks, it will have a pretty nice-sized cargo area, and I don't want another Model Y. My R2 won't see worse than a gravel road, at best.

So I'd definitely cross-shop the iX3 if the price is right.

 

[R2D2TOO]

I believe that a great majority of customers will not take the R2 off-road, which is why I think the comparison is fair and will likely occur.

Lots of off-road capable vehicles are on the road because people like the way that looks - not because they actually want to take them off-road. It may depend on the area. In places like Dallas you see a great number of off-road vehicles that have never seen dirt. In places like Denver people are more likely to drive Subarus and 4Runners....those will look at an R2 but not this BMW.

I share your skepticism about the starting price of the iX3, but in fairness I am equally skeptical of the R2 starting price.

I just saw on BMW's USA site they are saying "around $60K starting price".

Also, are we certain that the cargo space and interior room will be dramatically different? I haven't seen the iX3 in person, but I have seen the R2 a couple of times and it's not a large vehicle. From the dimensions I've seen, it's overall length is slightly shorter than a Tesla Model Y, BMW X3, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, etc. -- although the R2 wheelbase is slightly longer.

I don't see how they are not dramatically different, but I am just judging by body shape and available images.

Don't get me wrong, I personally prefer the R2 and think that it's going to be a huge success for Rivian, but I do believe the R2 will be compared against other premium mid-size SUV EVs regardless of off-road capability.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Doesn't surprise me, as the iX is a great car, as is the i4. The software is behind Rivian's, and I'm sure this will be no exception, but my wife is happy with her i4M50. I'm sure this will be cross-shopped with the R2, but two different crowds will be mainly interested, I think.

I also don't think this will be able to tow nearly as much as an R2 will.

 

[KRG]

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.

BMWs aren’t THAT expensive to maintain. Most people buying these cars keep them a few years and trade in for something newer. Doubt they’re super worried about a $600 annual service for their $70k car. I will say I do appreciate not having any service costs, having come from the world of premium European cars. Not a deal breaker though by any means.

Having said that, I want an R2 Tri motor and right now the iX3 is currently second on my list. If it drives a lot better I could easily be swayed. My friend that also has a deposit on an R2 is a longtime BMW owner considering the switch. I think they’ll be cross shopped a lot, but who knows.

 

[DuoRivian]

Do you really think so? I don't see it - not for me anyway. I have a deposit on an R2.
I see nothing appealing about the iX3.
All I see in common is that they are both EVs.
Here's my guess;
I very much doubt the iX3 will be priced lower than $60,000.
If they say the entry point is lower, you won't find one equipped that way anywhere.
Cargo space and interior room will be smaller, obviously.
Ground clearance will be much less, of course.
Off-road capabilities will be absent.
It will not have retractable rear glass.
The iX3 will look good, and will be fast, sure. But it holds zero interest for me.
.

Totally will be cross shopped. Several in here including me have R2 reservations but also interested in the iX3.. Both vehicles are within a couple of inches of each others as compact two row SUVs. Both will have single and dual motor.
I do t believe a slide down rear window trumps 400 mile real world range and 400kW charging rate. Proven build quality and greater access to service and repair centers.
There will be a single motor iX3 for around $55k and given that the dual motor R2 is going to be at least $50k with less range and worse leasing deals I expect a lot of cross shopping.
Any off road advantage the R2 may have will not sway that many buyers.

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