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

[DuoRivian]

I wouldn't be that jealous. I'll be charging at home 99% anyway. As long as it charges and the battery degradation has a decent curve for the 8-10 years I plan to own, not a big deal. Heck, I'm currently driving a car that has a manual seat adjustment, no back up sensor, or self fold mirrors. Any Rivian I get is an upgrade (pre-ordered an R2). It's really based on people's priorities and lifestyle. For me, more than fine. No coping here. Just my reality.

I agree with you about 800v as I charge at home mainly. The larger point is the iX3 is impressive on may objectives specs and will be a strong competitor from an established premium band with a large price overlap.

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[rodbrock]

I tend to agree... For now. Unless these legacy manufacturers adopt the software approach like Tesla and Rivian, I won't even consider them. The frequent software updates and improvements are vitally important to me. Legacy's approach: Buy the newer model if you want these new features.

 

[DuoRivian]

I tend to agree... For now. Unless these legacy manufacturers adopt the software approach like Tesla and Rivian, I won't even consider them. The frequent software updates and improvements are vitally important to me. Legacy's approach: Buy the newer model if you want these new features.

BMW explicitly state they are doing OTAs. Given the complete ground up redesign I would be surprised if they weren’t at least competitive on software updates.

 

[rodbrock]

BMW explicitly state they are doing OTAs. Given the complete ground up redesign I would be surprised if they weren’t at least competitive on software updates.

That's awesome. I love BMW's. Have owned quite a few in the past. Excellent build quality and driving dynamics.

 

[KRG]

BMW explicitly state they are doing OTAs. Given the complete ground up redesign I would be surprised if they weren’t at least competitive on software updates.

Yep. I haven’t been interested in any legacy brand EV….until now.

 

[Sportstick]

Definitely cross-considering R2, iX3, EX60. All about 185" long, with similar interior packaging to comfortably seat 4, 5 in a pinch, and carry luggage to/from the airport, and Costco/groceries home. Perhaps some slight advantage variances but essentially all are tall station wagons, sometimes called SUV, CUV, but effectively the same for daily use. Also have no off-road plans more challenging than the driveway curb. No road trips over an hour or two, max. Too high a door sill for entry will rule one out. As to 400 vs 800, if I plug it in at night (once a week or two) to be ready in the morning just like my iPhone and Apple Watch, is there any actual benefit to a faster charge? I thought I had learned that slower charging was friendlier to battery integrity and life. Experts, please chime in!

 

[Eric9610]

Both vehicles tested were priced at about €85,000, roughly $100,000 USD, equipped with the large battery. At a steady 70 mph in light rain in Spain, he estimated the real-world range at around 320 miles.

Am I thinking of a different review, or is this the one you saw?

That's funny because they are already available to order in Europe and UK and you cant spec the car above $65k EU meaning it will translate to about the same USD. Also these will eventually be built in the USA reducing the import duty. Why do you think the USA launch is a year later?

Just look at the current x3 m50 max and I mean max price is $75k taking every option available.

Maybe if you take the M sport accessories that are after market also none of the review cars had any of the M accessories. They had one demo unit with every M accessory on it for people to look at.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

That's funny because they are already available to order in Europe and UK and you cant spec the car above $65k EU meaning it will translate to about the same USD. Also these will eventually be built in the USA reducing the import duty. Why do you think the USA launch is a year later?

Just look at the current x3 m50 max and I mean max price is $75k taking every option available.

Maybe if you take the M sport accessories that are after market also none of the review cars had any of the M accessories. They had one demo unit with every M accessory on it for people to look at.

The German reviewer clearly stated both vehicles were around $100,000 USD and achieved about 320 miles of range in his real-world test in Spain. That’s what he reported. It seems unbelievable for BMW delivers a 108 kWh vehicle for $60K, the numbers don’t add up. I did the configurator on the UK website and the base model is just over 60K GBP.

We’ll see what actually happens. Edit. If they can deliver at the $60-62K price with 400+ miles, they will sell as many as they can make.

 

[Eric9610]

The German reviewer clearly stated both vehicles were around $100,000 USD and achieved about 320 miles of range in his real-world test in Spain. That’s what he reported. It seems unbelievable for BMW delivers a 108 kWh vehicle for $60K, the numbers don’t add up. I did the configurator on the UK website and the base model is just over 60K GBP.

We’ll see what actually happens. Edit. If they can deliver at the $60-62K price with 400+ miles, they will sell as many as they can make.

It’s cool if he is stating that but the BMW forums have tons of people with confirmed orders with every option for $65k. They have posted their build sheets.

It’s actually not that hard for BMW to achieve this price point. They are currently on the 6th generation of the car. Also the new pack will be the only size available so the scale will be huge.

 

[DuoRivian]

The German reviewer clearly stated both vehicles were around $100,000 USD and achieved about 320 miles of range in his real-world test in Spain. That’s what he reported. It seems unbelievable for BMW delivers a 108 kWh vehicle for $60K, the numbers don’t add up. I did the configurator on the UK website and the base model is just over 60K GBP.

We’ll see what actually happens. Edit. If they can deliver at the $60-62K price with 400+ miles, they will sell as many as they can make.

The bmw USA site has the battery size and price and it is 108kW, 400 mile EPA range and $60000 (plus destination and handling).
The 320 miles referred to going highway speed the whole time. Still pretty good.

 

[mkhuffman]

The bmw USA site has the battery size and price and it is 108kW, 400 mile EPA range and $60000 (plus destination and handling).
The 320 miles referred to going highway speed the whole time. Still pretty good.

That matches what I can do in my R1T, which would stomp the puny little BMW at a stoplight.

 

[DuoRivian]

That matches what I can do in my R1T, which would stomp the puny little BMW at a stoplight.

So you have the max pack? I am glad the >$80k R1 can equal and exceed the $60k BMW in various aspects of the vehicle.

Looking at a dual motor large battery R1S Bigger vehicle but SUV configuration, two motors and comparable 0-60 acceleration. The price is $91k.

 

[R2D2TOO]

There is one more consideration that I don't see anyone bringing up - buying American.
I'd like very much to support a new, innovative American business like Rivian.

 

[DuoRivian]

There is one more consideration that I don't see anyone bringing up - buying American.
I'd like very much to support a new, innovative American business like Rivian.

Fair point for some. Lucid with their Earth coming out late next year (and hopefully with better software) could be compelling.

 

[kvenom]

There is one more consideration that I don't see anyone bringing up - buying American.
I'd like very much to support a new, innovative American business like Rivian.

Yeah, too bad the rest of the world exists. A lot of us are off the buy American train for the next 3 or so years. The fact that Rivians are basically unobtainium due to tariffs up here definitely points to IX3 over the R2 for me right now.

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