Compact EV SUV space getting crowded - BMW iX3, Volvo XC60, Polestar 3, Model Y, R2

[carsly]

I saw later on the plans for summer 2027 for the cross country.

the title of this thread is iX3, EX60 etc - not specifically cross country!

It's all good, those were simply example I had at hand. This thread was intended to discuss the heightened state of competition in the compact EV SUV space today and how it's changed from when R2 was first announced. Carry on....

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[VSG]

the title of this thread is iX3, EX60 etc - not specifically cross country! Sponsored

Actually says XC60 in the title, which is the gas cross country model, and since the thread is about BEV alternatives to the R2 I supposed the OP was referring to the EX60 Cross Country because historically that's what XC means. But Volvo has been changing their naming conventions ...

 

[carsly]

Actually says XC60 in the title, which is the gas cross country model, and since the thread is about BEV alternatives to the R2 I supposed the OP was referring to the EX60 Cross Country because historically that's what XC means. But Volvo has been changing their naming conventions ...

My typo. Yes, Was thinking EX60.

 

[mkg3]

The Volvo Cross Country is a 2028 model planned for late 2027 - still two years out. By then R2 will have a second generation.

No. Adding a LiDAR is not 2nd gen.

Rivian need to show profit and become sustainable concern and not introduce 2nd gen in a year. R1 2nd gen was cost avoidance move and if Rivian has to goto gen 2 in a year, they're in deep $hit

 

[DuoRivian]

Actually says XC60 in the title, which is the gas cross country model, and since the thread is about BEV alternatives to the R2 I supposed the OP was referring to the EX60 Cross Country because historically that's what XC means. But Volvo has been changing their naming conventions ...

Looking at Volvos website the XC60 is listed and says nothing about cross country. We all knew from the title it was covering the burgeoning competition.

 

[HaveBlue]

Really only one option for an offroad capabile EV

 

[Harvest]

I've read a few articles about the Volvo EX60 and think it looks like a very nice option. However, it will clearly be more expensive than the Rivian R2. The R2 will be far more useful for off-road and appears to have more interior space than the Volvo. And Volvo is not saying much about level 2 driving assistance, so Rivian will likely have the edge there for those that care about that feature.

 

[savethemanual]

Really only one option for an offroad capabile EV

Jeep Recon??

 

[DuoRivian]

I've read a few articles about the Volvo EX60 and think it looks like a very nice option. However, it will clearly be more expensive than the Rivian R2. The R2 will be far more useful for off-road and appears to have more interior space than the Volvo. And Volvo is not saying much about level 2 driving assistance, so Rivian will likely have the edge there for those that care about that feature.

We will see about autonomy, BMW seems ahead of Rivian. Yes both the Volvo and BMW are more expensive than the base RWD R2 but when comparing apples to apples the difference drops, especially if Rivian do what they did with the R1 and charge a lot more than typical for paint, interior color choice other than black and destination charge. We will hopefully know soon the Rivian pricing and spec details.

 

[HaveBlue]

Jeep Recon??

True. Also scheduled to come out and then of course the scout after that.

 

[usulio]

I do think R2 has an unclear niche.

Hopefully it's offroad worthy like a 4runner, but probably not very moddable and EVs don't appeal as much to the 4runner crowd.

It's positioned as a family adventure car like a Subaru, but Rivian also frames itself as a fancy high tech touchscreen-only phone app vehicle like a Tesla. Not sure if Subie types will be into that.

I guess both of those markets are too niche for R2 to succeed anyway, so it wants to be a middle class family hauler like Rav4, CRV, Equinox. But those are a lot cheaper. By the way, you never hear about the Equinox EV on this forum but it seems to be selling well.

For the wealthier, as this thread shows there are a lot of upscale competitors.

 

[gecko10x]

Jeep Recon??

We’re looking to replace a Tesla with something more off-road capable soon. R2 is on my list, but wife doesn’t like the styling. Recon she loves, but the range sucks and I don’t trust the quality. Currently in the “lead” is the upcoming Subaru Uncharted.

Volvo and BMW I think are going to be a little more than I want to spend.

 

[savethemanual]

The Mercedes Benz GLC EV is off to a good start, plus the first year production of iX3 is sold out...both have impressive stats. But this is in more EV friendly Europe, we'll see how all of these new entries do in 'Merica. Personally, the R2 is my top choice, but the Polestar 3 is a close second especially with the updates this year to 800v architecture.

https://insideevs.com/news/785250/mercedes-glc-sales-hit-demand/

 

[carsly]

It will be interesting to see how off-road capable R2 truly is. Will it be more Rav4 (basically, not off-road worthy) or Outback (lightly off-roadable) or Jeep Wrangler (throw anything at it)?

With Toyota/Honda/Subaru stumbling out of the gate with EV's, rebadged GM Prologue excepted, I do think there is room for R2 to get on a good run this year. But the window is closing fast.

Despite the off-road chatter, I think the real "killer app" for R2 could be rear-seat room. If they squeeze in 38-40" that could be a game changer for a lot of families with tweens/teens. And I say this as a former owner of an X3, Macan, and Model Y. That kind of space gives Rivian room to sell up - hunt after X5, Q7, XC90 owners who rarely use third rows. If that works, Rivian has more room to sneak up pricing and start opening margins.

Lots of ifs in that preceding paragraph. But I'd like to believe they can pull it off since most of the models I mentioned are all 8-10 year old vehicles with outdated tech stacks. Happy hunting RJ!

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