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

[TexasBob]

Not sure you can compare a several year old (design wise) large ICE SUV with a new, smaller EV SUV.

I am very genuinely hopeful that you are right. The iX5 NK being built starting this year in South Carolina was at the top of my list of potential replacements for my R1T.

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[MaskedRacerX]

The full ADAS in our iX is pretty fantastic, I don't use it that often (and not 100% I would've sprung for it, but it was in the loaded available car we wanted), it's accurate, makes really good spacing and braking decisions (vs. our previous Tesla that almost killed us a couple of times ...). It's as good as any system I've experienced.

The tech stack is very good too, and they've been doing a better job of keeping up on the app side as well, CarKey is excellent, quick works with [Apple] iPhone and Watch, Siri ("open trunk"), CarPlay is tied in with garage and lighting automations. I think they've a decent balance of physical controls (windows/wheel/seats/auto/modes/drive) and touch screen.

One thing people may not know is the on-the-fly D/B mode switching, where D is what I call "coast mode" (BMW uses EESM), traditional use the brakes mode (the brakes are fully blended regen) or B which is one-pedal-driving, it's nice to be able to B around town, hit the one ramp, one (physical) toggle to D mode.

New app UI is nice, good seeing them go through incremental improvements pretty regularly:

(There's a map/location/charging state just below the section I posted)


Our iX is good enough to the point where if I had to commit to another vehicle in advance (like sign now, take delivery Apr '27), I'd gladly put my X on a contract for another, M70 this time please

After seeing the R2 in person, getting a good sense of Rivian's future, our soon-to-be-local SCs, etc., I'm still really into something different, but if has had to go BMW again, I'd be more than happy.

 

[DuoRivian]

The full ADAS in our iX is pretty fantastic, I don't use it that often (and not 100% I would've sprung for it, but it was in the loaded available car we wanted), it's accurate, makes really good spacing and braking decisions (vs. our previous Tesla that almost killed us a couple of times ...). It's as good as any system I've experienced.

The tech stack is very good too, and they've been doing a better job of keeping up on the app side as well, CarKey is excellent, quick works with [Apple] iPhone and Watch, Siri ("open trunk"), CarPlay is tied in with garage and lighting automations. I think they've a decent balance of physical controls (windows/wheel/seats/auto/modes/drive) and touch screen.

One thing people may not know is the on-the-fly D/B mode switching, where D is what I call "coast mode" (BMW uses EESM), traditional use the brakes mode (the brakes are fully blended regen) or B which is one-pedal-driving, it's nice to be able to B around town, hit the one ramp, one (physical) toggle to D mode.

New app UI is nice, good seeing them go through incremental improvements pretty regularly:

(There's a map/location/charging state just below the section I posted)


Our iX is good enough to the point where if I had to commit to another vehicle in advance (like sign now, take delivery Apr '27), I'd gladly put my X on a contract for another, M70 this time please

After seeing the R2 in person, getting a good sense of Rivian's future, our soon-to-be-local SCs, etc., I'm still really into something different, but if has had to go BMW again, I'd be more than happy.

Is the autonomy included in the price? From reviews the iX3 autonomy looked good and if that is “free” then that helps close any price gap with upper trim R2’s.

 

[windblowlc]

After driving the brand new X3 rental for a week a few months ago I couldn't find anything positive about it. It reminds me of how different ICE is to BEV, but it's hard to imagine an about face from BMW. I don't know if BMW could pull it off with their software defined NK from legacy...but never say never...

 

[DuoRivian]

After driving the brand new X3 rental for a week a few months ago I couldn't find anything positive about it. It reminds me of how different ICE is to BEV, but it's hard to imagine an about face from BMW. I don't know if BMW could pull it off with their software defined NK from legacy...but never say never...

Well you don’t have to imagine it given the number of independent reviews from last November’s event. We will have additional reviews when the US event is held in a few months time.
Completely new architecture so not sure the value of comparing and old ICE design with a new ground up EV design (given their EVs are well received as well).

 

[sparked]

Is the autonomy included in the price? From reviews the iX3 autonomy looked good and if that is “free” then that helps close any price gap with upper trim R2’s.

You can pay in full or subscription in Europe. No US pricing yet so who knows how the trims and pricing work here. Sound like we will get that pricing around April.

 

[Virtio]

You can play with the iX3 configurator on the BMW Canada page. No pricing yet though. They basically toss everything that's not included into the Premium Package which includes upgraded massage seats! There are a ton of wheels to choose from (12!) and several colors. There's also M Sport and M Sport Pro but they don't seem to add any performance (except brakes).

https://www.bmw.ca/en/all-models/x-series/ix3/bmw-ix3.html

 

[windblowlc]

Well you don’t have to imagine it given the number of independent reviews from last November’s event. We will have additional reviews when the US event is held in a few months time.
Completely new architecture so not sure the value of comparing and old ICE design with a new ground up EV design (given their EVs are well received as well).

Unless they could completely overwhelm me with everything else, the fugly exterior and interior looks are non-starters for me.

 

[derekmw]

Unless they could completely overwhelm me with everything else, the fugly exterior and interior looks are non-starters for me.

So I'm not the only one who thinks the design is ugly! I feel like BMW said, "well if it's electric, we need to make sure it looks ugly compared to the rest of the lineup..."

 

[Great Gatsby]

So I'm not the only one who thinks the design is ugly! I feel like BMW said, "well if it's electric, we need to make sure it looks ugly compared to the rest of the lineup..."

TBH, the rest of the lineup isn't exactly killing it in the looks department either. Their styling peaked in the 2010s. Some really good looking cars were coming out of the BMW at the time. I think the 8 series was the last time they nailed styling. When they unveiled the new 4 series, I knew they started to go down the wrong path.

Which is a damn shame. On paper, the iX3 is the real Model Y killer and hard to beat. But that's it. It's on the specs. While I find the styling less offensive than when first unveiled, it is the main reason I'm still leaning on R2 over it, despite costing around the same and the BMW promising much better charging speed and range.

 

[derekmw]

TBH, the rest of the lineup isn't exactly killing it in the looks department either. Their styling peaked in the 2010s. Some really good looking cars were coming out of the BMW at the time. I think the 8 series was the last time they nailed styling. When they unveiled the new 4 series, I knew they started to go down the wrong path.

Which is a damn shame. On paper, the iX3 is the real Model Y killer and hard to beat. But that's it. It's on the specs. While I find the styling less offensive than when first unveiled, it is the main reason I'm still leaning on R2 over it, despite costing around the same and the BMW promising much better charging speed and range.

Haha totally. I should have said 'uglier than the rest of the lineup'. I feel like I'm in a game of angry birds with the current lineup

 

[Mos Eisley]

That's funny, because my take away was that he was actually very impressed with the iX3. He had some minor gripes about it, and didn't love the exterior design, but overall gave it a really positive review.

The interesting bit in his review was about the efficiency. His efficiency was quite bad and way below the stated or expected efficiency of the iX3. Every other reviewer that I've seen live with the car for a bit, has reported the opposite. The others seemed quite pleased with the efficiency and range. Very odd.

I came away with the same sense that you did on all.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Is the autonomy included in the price? From reviews the iX3 autonomy looked good and if that is “free” then that helps close any price gap with upper trim R2’s.

I'm not 100% sure if there's ADAS hardware that's part of that package that can't be added after-the-fact (which is an an option) or if it's just a pure subscription.

Ours had the package/option and the whatever subscription covered for the duration of the lease, so I just went "OK cool, this is great"

They seem to be suggesting with the iX3 it's included? Maybe it's still an option but there's no additional subs/fees?

Edited to say: I realized I answered nothing ...

 

[mr2]

I don't see ix3 as a competitor to R2 : different price range, different approach to off roads capabilities, different financial options from the manufacturers. R2 is direct competition to mod Y and will grab a share from Tesla

 

[DuoRivian]

I don't see ix3 as a competitor to R2 : different price range, different approach to off roads capabilities, different financial options from the manufacturers. R2 is direct competition to mod Y and will grab a share from Tesla

They are comparable in size and there is overlap in pricing with the iX3 likely to be $55-70k. Both are in the premium space with four year warranties. Off road capability is a differentiator but most people in this segment are not hardcore off roading so the AWD iX3 will suffice for most people on that measure.

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