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

[macb00kemdanno]

Its all good, and I hope there are no hard feelings.

Here is what I think "up to" means:

It will be like the long-range version of other BEVs, which typically have the smallest number of motors in the lineup, and the most efficient wheels. If there is a single motor version of the iX3, I think that is the one that will be the "up to 400" they are referring to. And it will have wheels and tires that are ugly and that most people don't want. The first model released is not planned to be the most efficient version, and people will spec it so it is not the most efficient version of even that one.​

It is possible they will do something like Rivian does in the Tri, and disconnect one motor, leaving a single motor for more efficient driving. But even my Tri-motor does not achieve the same level of efficiency of the dual motor R1. It gets close, but not quite (per Rivian, anyway).

EPA requires testing in the default condition of the vehicle, so unless the iX3 defaults to single motor mode, it will have to be tested with both motors engaged. Which is not likely to be the most efficient configuration, and most likely not the one that hits 400 miles of EPA range.

Anyway, this horse is dead. Let's come back here after the real EPA results are released and see who ends up being right. I am not saying it is impossible for the iX3 to be rated at 400 miles EPA range, I am just very skeptical the first model released will be that one, and it will be in a configuration most people will want to buy.

Why do you keep saying "I think" when BMW has already SPECIFICALLY SAID that the iX3 50 xDrive, the 109 kWh dual-motor variant, will get up to 400 miles of EPA range? Why is that so hard to believe? It's like everyone is telling you the same thing, and you keep burying your head in the sand.

The iX3 dual-motor has a 109 kWh battery, compared to about 81-82 kWh for the Model Y with its old-ass battery tech. I don't understand why you're thinking that 400 miles is some holy grail that can't be achieved with modern battery technology in an EV crossover with over 100 kWh of usable battery?

Throw in the real-world data from people who have already driven the iX3 50 xDrive, and I'm still scratching my head at all the skepticism. I understand that we're on a Rivian forum and that we're predisposed to Rivians, but people are starting to get into the "alternative facts" arena regarding competing vehicles.

From your link, "up to" does not mean the version they will be selling first will be 400. Does it? Nope.

It's right there on the same page, right below what you cropped:

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[DuoRivian]

Why do you keep saying "I think" when BMW has already SPECIFICALLY SAID that the iX3 50 xDrive, the 109 kWh dual-motor variant, will get up to 400 miles of EPA range? Why is that so hard to believe? It's like everyone is telling you the same thing, and you keep burying your head in the sand.

The iX3 dual-motor has a 109 kWh battery, compared to about 81-82 kWh for the Model Y with its old-ass battery tech. I don't understand why you're thinking that 400 miles is some holy grail that can't be achieved with modern battery technology in an EV crossover with over 100 kWh of usable battery?

Throw in the real-world data from people who have already driven the iX3 50 xDrive, and I'm still scratching my head at all the skepticism. I understand that we're on a Rivian forum and that we're predisposed to Rivians, but people are starting to get into the "alternative facts" arena regarding competing vehicles.



It's right there on the same page, right below what you cropped:

Why do you keep saying "I think" when BMW has already SPECIFICALLY SAID that the iX3 50 xDrive, the 109 kWh dual-motor variant, will get up to 400 miles of EPA range? Why is that so hard to believe? It's like everyone is telling you the same thing, and you keep burying your head in the sand.

The iX3 dual-motor has a 109 kWh battery, compared to about 81-82 kWh for the Model Y with its old-ass battery tech. I don't understand why you're thinking that 400 miles is some holy grail that can't be achieved with modern battery technology in an EV crossover with over 100 kWh of usable battery?

Throw in the real-world data from people who have already driven the iX3 50 xDrive, and I'm still scratching my head at all the skepticism. I understand that we're on a Rivian forum and that we're predisposed to Rivians, but people are starting to get into the "alternative facts" arena regarding competing vehicles.



It's right there on the same page, right below what you cropped:

Thanks for posting. It does seem facts like real world reviews (getting 3.7-3.8 miles/kW), press releases, company experience with electric vehicles and vehicles already certified in the EU would be sufficient. We will know in the next 3-6 months but then I predict some “loophole” will be found to allow them to claim victory and continue to wallow in unjustified skepticism.

 

[mkg3]

I believe that most (90%) if not all the iX3 will be ordered as a base configuration with no options. You will have some come in fully loaded in the mid 60k range but like everything else most buyers are not like forum members. This is intended to be a mass market car.

This is a bit strange take on the "a mass market car", for BMW.

I have never seen any BMW without any options. Most BMW buyers, however mass market, are not looking for a stripped down model/trim.

The profit margin on options are much higher than the base vehicle so that this is how they actually make profit margin grow.

Given that BMW has already stated the initial model (with options)....???

 

[Eric9610]

This is a bit strange take on the "a mass market car", for BMW.

I have never seen any BMW without any options. Most BMW buyers, however mass market, are not looking for a stripped down model/trim.

The profit margin on options are much higher than the base vehicle so that this is how they actually make profit margin grow.

Given that BMW has already stated the initial model (with options)....???

You must not have any volume dealers by you. 90% of x5’s sold only have premium pack a $2500 option, this is also the same for X3. The iX3 will be loaded with more standard features than any other BMW. Look at the option lists already published in Europe. When it launches here it will be even less options as most are standard items for NA market let.
when I was just looking for a fully loaded x5e could not find one anywhere so ended up with an x7.

 

[Sportstick]

Here is what I think "up to" means:

It means anything equal to or less than 400. Exaggerating to illustrate, 1 mile of range is "Up to 400", thus anything in-between qualifies as a legitimate claim for the purposes of FTC review. This is a claim generated by marketing and approved by corporate legal counsel who reviews advertising claims. The internal support would be that in no reliable, repeatable test condition did they achieve more than 400 that could provide a reasonable basis for a claim, recognizing that ambient temperature, passenger/cargo load, wheel size and state of inflation, use of AC/Heat, etc. will all impact the actual consumer result. If you think the iX3 will get 200, 300, 400 or anything in-between, or a consumer actually gets any of those results, the claim is valid. Knowing how conservative BMW has historically been about performance, over-achieving on this metric is not unlikely, but is not being claimed.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thanks for posting. It does seem facts like real world reviews (getting 3.7-3.8 miles/kW), press releases, company experience with electric vehicles and vehicles already certified in the EU would be sufficient. We will know in the next 3-6 months but then I predict some “loophole” will be found to allow them to claim victory and continue to wallow in unjustified skepticism.

I don't care about claiming victory, and I hope my skepticism turns out to be unfounded. I will be glad to say you were right to be so confident.

As I posted before, I want 500+ mile highway range BEVs, so any progress toward that end is a good thing to me.

 

[mkg3]

You must not have any volume dealers by you. 90% of x5’s sold only have premium pack a $2500 option....

Your original statement was the the vehicle will be sold with no options.

What do you call the premium pack, $2,500 option??? No Option???

I'm in South OC and there are lots of high volume every maker dealers, including BMW.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

BMW also states:

The Neue Klasse 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive—which arrives in summer 2026—has an electric range of up to 400 miles. Additional single and dual motor variants with different range capabilities will be available in early 2027.

So the 400-mile range is clearly only applicable to the iX3 50 xDrive, which is coming in the summer. Which is what we've been saying all along.

BMW itself states that it will provide range figures for the other models at a later date (likely closer to when they become available).

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-series/ix3/bmw-ix3.html#accordion-08c6ec4c02-item-2beeea899b

 

[DuoRivians]

Why are some working so hard to try to discredit the iX3? I don’t get it…

 

[mkhuffman]

Why are some working so hard to try to discredit the iX3? I don’t get it…

Merca

 

[sparked]

BMW also states:


So the 400-mile range is clearly only applicable to the iX3 50 xDrive, which is coming in the summer. Which is what we've been saying all along.

BMW itself states that it will provide range figures for the other models at a later date (likely closer to when they become available).

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-series/ix3/bmw-ix3.html#accordion-08c6ec4c02-item-2beeea899b

I believe BMW is putting together a single motor RWD version with the big 108 kWh battery so we could see well over 400 miles range in some markets. I think RWD is the only option in China.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I believe BMW is putting together a single motor RWD version with the big 108 kWh battery so we could see well over 400 miles range in some markets. I think RWD is the only option in China.

I'd probably opt for the RWD model if it offers even more range -- range is king IMHO. When I got my Highland last year, I opted for the dual motor Long Range version because it gave the most range at the time. Then, about two weeks after delivery, they announced the Long Range RWD model for a few thousand less and with an extra 20 miles of range. I was banging my head against the wall over that one

 

[SASSquatch]

Last time I checked, every BMW electric vehicle tested by Edmunds either met or exceeded stated BMW range estimates so I'm not sure what the hullabaloo is about BMW exaggerating their range estimates.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/electric-car-range-and-consumption-epa-vs-edmunds.html

 

[SASSquatch]

I don't care about claiming victory, and I hope my skepticism turns out to be unfounded. I will be glad to say you were right to be so confident.

As I posted before, I want 500+ mile highway range BEVs, so any progress toward that end is a good thing to me.

A 500+ mile range BEV is completely unnecessary and in fact the opposite of what anyone should want with an exception for very specialized use cases (like towing). That would require a very large, dense, and heavy battery pack which would be less efficient. So for the typical 80 percent use case where you aren't on the highway, you are carrying around this unnecessarily big pack and lowering your efficiency so that you can satisfy the 20% use case.

Efficiency and charging speed are just as (if not more) important than range. Reliably getting 300 miles in all conditions is a sweet spot especially if you can charge the pack in the time a typical pit stop takes you on the highway (<20 min). 300 miles at 70 mph is nearly 4.5 hours of continuous driving. Maybe you like driving more than that without stopping, but on average, people stop every 2-2.5 hours.

 

[mkhuffman]

A 500+ mile range BEV is completely unnecessary and in fact the opposite of what anyone should want with an exception for very specialized use cases (like towing). That would require a very large, dense, and heavy battery pack which would be less efficient. So for the typical 80 percent use case where you aren't on the highway, you are carrying around this unnecessarily big pack and lowering your efficiency so that you can satisfy the 20% use case.

Efficiency and charging speed are just as (if not more) important than range. Reliably getting 300 miles in all conditions is a sweet spot especially if you can charge the pack in the time a typical pit stop takes you on the highway (<20 min). 300 miles at 70 mph is nearly 4.5 hours of continuous driving. Maybe you like driving more than that without stopping, but on average, people stop every 2-2.5 hours.

The problem is we do not have a true "300-mile" range BEV yet, except for maybe the Lucid Air GT. Certainly even if the iX3 50 xDrive hits 400 miles EPA range, it won't be able to do 300 miles of highway range in the winter and between charging stops.

So we are not there yet. When we can drive 300 miles on 70% of the battery at 80 mph, then we will have reached the 300-mile threshold you are targeting.

I agree with you that there are trade-offs that have negative consequences. However, the ICEV market has settled on an average much higher than 300 miles:

• Compact sedans (e.g., non-hybrid Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra) → ~32–36 mpg combined, 12–14 gallon tank → 400–500 miles.
• Midsize sedans (e.g., non-hybrid Honda Accord) → ~30–35 mpg, 14–16 gallon tank → 400–550 miles.
• Larger SUVs/crossovers (gasoline-only) → ~20–25 mpg, 18–20 gallon tank → 350–500 miles.

[Source: Grok, but it looks correct to me based on my personal experience.]​

IMO BEVs need to match their equivalent ICEV competition when charging from 10% to 80%, at highway speeds and in the winter. If we take an average of all vehicles, 400 miles seems reasonable. We are far, far from that right now.

Of course this is just highway driving, and does not take into account local driving when you can charge at home. That does change the comparison with ICEVs, since you cannot refuel an ICEV at home.

However, there are many drivers who rent or live in a place where they cannot install a EVSE. To me, that use case is an even better reason for a long-range BEV. Especially when those people will rarely charge beyond 80% (if they are doing what they are supposed to be doing for/to the battery).

Once we reach the 300-mile threshold you point out is sufficient, we will have 500+ mile EPA range BEVs. So actually, maybe we do agree!

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