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

[savethemanual]

But, the possible mistake is that the industry is quickly evolving to 800v...

I think Rivian will get there sooner than you think, we'll see soon what the charging curve is for the R2...I'm confident it will be better than R1. But eventually, the industry is heading towards 800v and DCFC will be upgraded to accommodate.

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[Bullwinkle]

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.

From BMW's website: "The first-ever iX3 50 xDrive is coming summer of 2026, with an MSRP starting around $60,000"

I have owned 3 BMWs over the past 15 years. Besides Porsche and Mercedes, I can not think of a brand that has a bigger gap between "starting price" and "normally equipped price". My guess is that $70k to $80k will be typical.

 

[mkg3]

From BMW's website: "The first-ever iX3 50 xDrive is coming summer of 2026, with an MSRP starting around $60,000"

I have owned 3 BMWs over the past 15 years. Besides Porsche and Mercedes, I can not think of a brand that has a bigger gap between "starting price" and "normally equipped price". My guess is that $70k to $80k will be typical.

Agree. That said. maybe the Neue Klasse vehicles will have simpler option package and be more price competitive, at least to start with.

There is so much riding on the new platform for BMW that they cannot risk failure in the market place by their usual pricing strategy....maybe

 

[Eric9610]

From BMW's website: "The first-ever iX3 50 xDrive is coming summer of 2026, with an MSRP starting around $60,000"

I have owned 3 BMWs over the past 15 years. Besides Porsche and Mercedes, I can not think of a brand that has a bigger gap between "starting price" and "normally equipped price". My guess is that $70k to $80k will be typical.

People have posted build sheets for cars on order with every option in the UK and EU and they don't exceed $65k.

 

[DuoRivian]

People have posted build sheets for cars on order with every option in the UK and EU and they don't exceed $65k.

Agreed, not that many options. The glass roof for $1250-1500, premium pack with HUD and upgraded stereo. Easy to get the “base” vehicle, choose one of the four interior colors and go with that.

 

[ENVErider]

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.

I've watched at least six online reviews for the iX3, and all have been super positive and said this is far superior to past BMW EVs; in opposition to some posters' comments, I don't feel its success is going to erode the R2's success much because they're so very different. The R2 will be so much more off-road capable, and it's quite a bit taller and larger overall. The iX3 is entering the most popular EV segment with lots of competition from other compact SUVs, or crossover vehicles. The Scout Traveler is the only R2-like SUV I've seen that MAY stack up against the R2.

I'm thrilled to see legacy brands finally figuring EVs out, and I'm excited to see whether VW can reinvent itself with the infusion of the Rivian OS into its future EVs. I was saddened to watch Trump recently call EVs & CAFE standards "The Green New Scam" and Ford CEO embracing these policy changes. As a former Ford owner, I'd hope they'd accept the reality that the future is EVs. BMW experiencing big success with the iX3 would be great for all of us Earthlings, but especially Europeans.
IMO, we're <5 years away from seeing everyday commuter EVs with sodium batteries at less than half the cost of our NMC's of today, batteries that will outlast the vehicles they are put in. EVs will soon not only be cheaper than ICE but outperform them in nearly every way except for refill/recharge speed, and I don't see Ford digging their way out of the ICE hole they seem to be digging in the 2030s.

 

[Bullwinkle]

People have posted build sheets for cars on order with every option in the UK and EU and they don't exceed $65k.

Europe is always cheaper. BMW has announced the US starting price, you can be sure a decently optioned car will be $10k more than the published starting price.

 

[VandalSibs]

The Scout Traveler is the only R2-like SUV I've seen that MAY stack up against the R2.

Keep in mind size-wise, the Traveler is about the same size as the R1S.

Traveler™ SUV Dimensions*
Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in
Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in
Width Without Mirrors: 79.9 in
Width With Mirrors: 91.6 in
Max Height (with Antenna): 76.3 in
Wheelbase: 120.4 in
Max Ground Clearance: 12+ in

Rivian R1S
Max height (with antenna): 77.3 in
Width (side mirrors folded): 82 in
Wheelbase: 121.1 in
Length: 200.8 in
Approach angle: 35.8º
Departure angle: 34.4º

 

[Eric9610]

Europe is always cheaper. BMW has announced the US starting price, you can be sure a decently optioned car will be $10k more than the published starting price.

Europe and UK to USA have been 1:1 for a while including similar options. None of that matters as the programs BMW will offer will smash Rivian. The R2 may have a lower MSRP by $5k but the financing and leasing will place the BMW below a R2. Also BMW will be giving 10% off MSRP left and right sometimes as high as 20% that Rivian does not do. Expect the BMW to be more competitive than you think.

 

[ENVErider]

Keep in mind size-wise, the Traveler is about the same size as the R1S.

Traveler™ SUV Dimensions*
Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in
Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in
Width Without Mirrors: 79.9 in
Width With Mirrors: 91.6 in
Max Height (with Antenna): 76.3 in
Wheelbase: 120.4 in
Max Ground Clearance: 12+ in

Rivian R1S
Max height (with antenna): 77.3 in
Width (side mirrors folded): 82 in
Wheelbase: 121.1 in
Length: 200.8 in
Approach angle: 35.8º
Departure angle: 34.4º

Thanks for providing us the detailed comparison. I'm not clear on whether you disagree with my comment but I retain the opinion that the Traveler is more comparable to the R2. There's many reasons but on the top are: 1)seat rows, 2) adj. air vs spring suspension 3)price points and trim/amenities.
I love the Scouts and hope VW sells tons but the Terra will have to be spectacular to get me out of my R1T.

 

[VandalSibs]

Overall the Traveler is gonna be larger than the R2 - should have included specs for that too. To me, that makes cross shopping the two less likely.

 

[Sportstick]

https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/news/general/2023/BMWGroupPlantSanLuisPotosi.html

Overall the Traveler is gonna be larger than the R2 - should have included specs for that too. To me, that makes cross shopping the two less likely.

True for us...191" is too long for parking in garage space, opening liftgate with garage door closed, and walking around the front from passenger side.

 

[M3_R2]

Europe and UK to USA have been 1:1 for a while including similar options. None of that matters as the programs BMW will offer will smash Rivian. The R2 may have a lower MSRP by $5k but the financing and leasing will place the BMW below a R2. Also BMW will be giving 10% off MSRP left and right sometimes as high as 20% that Rivian does not do. Expect the BMW to be more competitive than you think.

I'm definitely hoping for 1:1 pricing compared to Europe and the UK but I'm also presuming demand will be so high as to provide no incentive to offer any discounting below MSRP for at least the first year. So I'm expecting to pay a fair sticker price that's on par with Europe.

I was cross shopping the Scout Terra, and R2 with emphasis on the latter but with tariffs it will likely be an iX3. Three very different vehicles but each with their own qualities that I can appreciate. Realistically though, I think the iX3 ticks the most boxes for my actual needs. I've owned pretty much every style of vehicle so I know I'd be ok with any of the 3 but at this point in time, the iX3 becomes an instant alternative to being forced to consider another Tesla (from Germany, without tariffs).

Lets hope there's no gouging like what happened to Lightning buyers at launch.

 

[DuoRivian]

I'm definitely hoping for 1:1 pricing compared to Europe and the UK but I'm also presuming demand will be so high as to provide no incentive to offer any discounting below MSRP for at least the first year. So I'm expecting to pay a fair sticker price that's on par with Europe.

I was cross shopping the Scout Terra, and R2 with emphasis on the latter but with tariffs it will likely be an iX3. Three very different vehicles but each with their own qualities that I can appreciate. Realistically though, I think the iX3 ticks the most boxes for my actual needs. I've owned pretty much every style of vehicle so I know I'd be ok with any of the 3 but at this point in time, the iX3 becomes an instant alternative to being forced to consider another Tesla (from Germany, without tariffs).

Lets hope there's no gouging like what happened to Lightning buyers at launch.

They have said $60k (plus destination and handling). So $62, I would not expect discounts for a while but also no gouging since the new GLC is coming, the Lucid Earth will be six months later and the R2 will already be out so there is competition. It is a compelling vehicle at $60k.

 

[Eric9610]

The launch iX3 is a volume model and not an M. The M60 or 70 is coming and expect 1k HP. BMW already showed the NK M3 electric with 1400hp. My R1T lease ends about 8 months into the Lauch of R2 and iX3. I suspect 5% discount can be had at launch growing to up to 20% within 8-12months. BMW will know expected demand since its launched in other markets first so I suspect dealers will have to carry a large inventory just like the iX and i4.

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