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

[DuoRivian]

While not a luxury vehicle, the 2026 PHEV RAV4 is pretty popular and was recently updated with over 50 miles of all electric range. They also dropped the starting price below $42K. Fully loaded around $52K. It's almost like an EV with a range extender now that the EV-only range is over 50 miles. Personally, I don't want or need a gas engine but for many this is the best of both worlds (or the worst, depending on how you look at it). The interior is pretty spiffy.

The new bZ Woodland/Subaru Trailseeker is also fairly compelling at $41k with close to 400hp.

Sponsored

 

[VegasWeezy]

BMW iX3 40 sdrive specs leaked. (single motor, base model)

82.6kwh usable
315hp/370tq
200kg lighter than 50x model
40sdrive and 40xdrive under $55k. Sdrive closer to $50k.

Do we know the expected range or mi/kWh with the 40 sDrive or xDrive? If the 40 xDrive gets over 350 miles of range, has fast charging, and is under $55k, then that is going to be a very competitive vehicle.

 

[DuoRivian]

Do we know the expected range or mi/kWh with the 40 sDrive or xDrive? If the 40 xDrive gets over 350 miles of range, has fast charging, and is under $55k, then that is going to be a very competitive vehicle.

I would expect 300 mile range given the reduction in battery size.

 

[Shoeshear]

While not a luxury vehicle, the 2026 PHEV RAV4 is pretty popular and was recently updated with over 50 miles of all electric range. They also dropped the starting price below $42K. Fully loaded around $52K. It's almost like an EV with a range extender now that the EV-only range is over 50 miles. Personally, I don't want or need a gas engine but for many this is the best of both worlds (or the worst, depending on how you look at it). The interior is pretty spiffy.

I can see how from a new price/initial purchase perspective, the PHEV makes sense, but I would rather have a used EV.

Having to deal with typical ICE maintenance (oil changes, timing belt, etc.) in addition to automakers learning how to make BEV technology well seems like a massive compromise. I too have thought that it seems good on paper, but routine maintenance is annoying, and if you’re not doing it yourself, it is getting increasingly expensive at a reputable shop.

I’m hoping that what people realize from PHEVs and EREVs is how little range you actually need and maybe people will get comfortable with BEVs when they realize 60 miles of range is all they use and that a BEV with 150 miles of range is actually plenty if you can charge at home or at work.

At the $35-$45k price, I think I’d spring for an eTron GT or Lucid Air. That is an insane amount of car for the money. Buy an extended warranty through a third party and drive it like you stole it.

I guess the PHEV/EREV segment will be the stop gap while charging infrastructure matures in the US.

 

[savethemanual]

BYD is releasing the new Z9 GT which has a CLTC range of 644 miles (approx. 460 EPA miles?), I think the battery is around 115 kWh. I'm sure it will be a charging beast too when those specs are released soon. Why can't we have cars like this ?

 

[Shoeshear]

BYD is releasing the new Z9 GT which has a CLTC range of 644 miles (approx. 460 EPA miles?), I think the battery is around 115 kWh. I'm sure it will be a charging beast too when those specs are released soon. Why can't we have cars like this ?

Because no one wants cars like this except for people on forums like this one…

Closest thing is probably a Lucid Air? But nobody buys those either sadly. I probably would have gotten one or a Taycan, instead of the Rivian if I didn’t need to tow.

Love me a good wagon/shooting brake.

 

[savethemanual]

Because no one wants cars like this except for people on forums like this one…

Closest thing is probably a Lucid Air? But nobody buys those either sadly. I probably would have gotten one or a Taycan, instead of the Rivian if I didn’t need to tow.

Love me a good wagon/shooting brake.

Yeah, the Taycan Cross Turismo would be the ideal vehicle for me…if my budget allowed!

 

[savethemanual]

Because no one wants cars like this except for people on forums like this one…

Closest thing is probably a Lucid Air? But nobody buys those either sadly. I probably would have gotten one or a Taycan, instead of the Rivian if I didn’t need to tow.

Love me a good wagon/shooting brake.

A DCFC beast it indeed is! Going to have their second generation Blade battery.
https://insideevs.com/news/789094/byd-second-generation-blade-battery/

 

[Shoeshear]

Yeah, the Taycan Cross Turismo would be the ideal vehicle for me…if my budget allowed!

Yeah… but those mega-depreciated Taycans look mighty fine. I wish there were more sport turismo Taycans around. The fake off-road plastic fender/trim really does not do it for me (à la Audi Allroad)

A DCFC beast it indeed is! Going to have their second generation Blade battery.
https://insideevs.com/news/789094/byd-second-generation-blade-battery/

It will be interesting to see how battery longevity will play out with this. I’m sure people much smarter than me designed this battery, but people had warned of incredibly poor longevity in the EV segment when Tesla was becoming popular, but they have many 10+ year old cars running around with 85-95% battery health. That’s still a respectable range and a usable vehicle until cell imbalances or further degradation get you.

I’m sure this technology will come over to the states one way or another in the next decade. Hopefully the tiny silver lining of the current state of things is that we’ll hopefully skip early, unexpected hurdles with this. 10-70% in 5 minutes would basically erase all the current players in the US. Maybe if they end up with battery technology licensing or whatever weird partnerships they have, this will come over and allow US mfgs to make cards with less battery. I’d take 250 miles of range if I could DCFC in 5-10 min. It would make towing more viable too if the pack stays cool.

 

[Imola.ZHP]

I often miss BMW ownership, the iX3 is going to be worth looking at for sure; I also like the ethos of Rivian, promoting outdoors. We may also consider a CPO R1S while the R2 goes through its first few years of production. My sister's better half bought a CPO R1T for something like 40% off of original MSRP, the truck didn't even have 10,000 miles on it. Nearly new, it's a really nice truck, his first EV and he is loving it.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Because no one wants cars like this except for people on forums like this one…

Closest thing is probably a Lucid Air? But nobody buys those either sadly. I probably would have gotten one or a Taycan, instead of the Rivian if I didn’t need to tow.

Love me a good wagon/shooting brake.

This is a Top 10 response!

 

[Mountain Life]

This is a Top 10 response!

I have to strongly disagree. There is no car like this in the US and its not because people don't want it. You don't think people in the US would convert to EV for a car that has ~500 mile range, with almost 1000 hp, and priced around 50k?! I couldn't find any official numbers on pricing but if this is close, damn.

 

[savethemanual]

I have to strongly disagree. There is no car like this in the US and its not because people don't want it. You don't think people in the US would convert to EV for a car that has ~500 mile range, with almost 1000 hp, and priced around 50k?! I couldn't find any official numbers on pricing but if this is close, damn.

And will pull the full 350 kW for nearly the entire charge curve when road tripping, because that's all 'Merica offers with level 3 chargers out there on the roads.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I have to strongly disagree. There is no car like this in the US and its not because people don't want it. You don't think people in the US would convert to EV for a car that has ~500 mile range, with almost 1000 hp, and priced around 50k?! I couldn't find any official numbers on pricing but if this is close, damn.

The $50K number only exists in China. It doesn’t translate anywhere else.

My daughter has an BYD Atto 3 in Australia. In China it’s about $16.5K USD. In Australia, basically zero duties, it’s $35K USD. Mexico was the same story. Before the 50% tariff, the Atto 3 was also $35K USD.

So no, the Z9 GT isn’t showing up at China pricing. Once it’s exported, it’s a $100K+ car. And if people aren’t buying Lucids at that price, they’re not buying a six‑figure Chinese import either.

 

[blipit]

The $50K number only exists in China. It doesn’t translate anywhere else.

My daughter has an BYD Atto 3 in Australia. In China it’s about $16.5K USD. In Australia, basically zero duties, it’s $35K USD. Mexico was the same story. Before the 50% tariff, the Atto 3 was also $35K USD.

So no, the Z9 GT isn’t showing up at China pricing. Once it’s exported, it’s a $100K+ car. And if people aren’t buying Lucids at that price, they’re not buying a six‑figure Chinese import either.

Exactly, their pricing will never translate to our market. The pricing is misleading to say the least. The reason Biden admin increased tariffs on Chinese vehicles to 100%, is due to how much China subsidizes their EV industry. They are also not fully transparent about the amount of subsidizes these brands have been receiving. Xpeng and Nio have already received massive bailouts to keep going.

Sponsored