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

[mkhuffman]

Autobahn testing on a 500+km trip. BMW iX3 real-world Autobahn long range test with astonishing results!

Just jump ahead of all the stuff at the beginning as that's been covered in many videos before.

I was impressed with the charging, immediately hit 400kW at 15% and was still doing around 200kW at 80%.

Bah. Front hood shakes at 93 mph because it is designed for pedestrian safety. WTH. Just don't hit a pedestrian, dude. Put a real hood on that car already.

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[TexasBob]

I built a range model (see my other post for details) and the iX3 data looks like this - note the "real world" benchmarks. The modeled range is very consistent with tests for good weather / sea level.

And of course once you have a model... Here ix3 20 vs R2 21, ModelY LR AWD, and the upcoming EX60 cross country est. [EDIT: iX3 with 20" wheels, added data labels to make it easier to see)

 

[richguess]

I’d be ecstatic if I could get 300 miles @75mph. I like the charge port on rear driver’s side for Tesla supercharging (VOLVO) but the handling of the BMW and my infrequent use of supercharging may swing me to that. Of course, I’ll drive an R2. No interest in a MY.

 

[richguess]

Bah. Front hood shakes at 93 mph because it is designed for pedestrian safety. WTH. Just don't hit a pedestrian, dude. Put a real hood on that car already.

Having been hit once and spent 3 nights in the trauma center, let it shake.

 

[Oakwood]

Thank you T-Bob: The charts have moved my decision-making needle. I am on-highway only efficiency nerd having driven diesel powered cars for decades.
Since nuns held me back in summer school for my arithmetic class performance years ago, could you run the BMW data again with 19" wheels, AS tires, and the yet to be announced smaller battery pack?

 

[TexasBob]

Thank you T-Bob: The charts have moved my decision-making needle. I am on-highway only efficiency nerd having driven diesel powered cars for decades.
Since nuns held me back in summer school for my arithmetic class performance years ago, could you run the BMW data again with 19" wheels, AS tires, and the yet to be announced smaller battery pack?

Ooh that is a neat problem. Let me try to extract the input variables based on what we know standby....

This is 20" wheels (we cannot see a 19" option at the moment) and a 82.6kwh battery with a 440 lb weight reduction. It should show up with around a 330 mile epa range if it is ever sold in US.

 

[Oakwood]

TY. I think the standard iX3 wheel in Europe is 19," but it will be another month or so before BMW has released a North America configurator. I'm still not clear which generally nets more miles per revolution, small or larger diameter wheels .
(I've watched that YouTube video where a math guy uses multiple formulae to calculate mileage yield assuming tire weight, tread and width, but I'm still shy a few variables and "little gray brain cells" to completely get it)
Now to compare it to the R2 data available.

 

[Virtio]

I just noticed that the Volvo EX60 configurator for Canada has prices. If you do a direct conversion the base price comes out slightly below USD$57K. Not bad. It's nice that they don't charge extra for paint colors.

https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/build/ex60-electric/

 

[DuoRivian]

Good find and BmW and even Porsche offer many paints for under $1000 so hopefully Rivian won’t push their luck with R1 style pricing on paint.

 

[TexasBob]

I just noticed that the Volvo EX60 configurator for Canada has prices. If you do a direct conversion the base price comes out slightly below USD$57K. Not bad. It's nice that they don't charge extra for paint colors.

https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/build/ex60-electric/

Great find. Thanks for posting. They are only listing the mid-range (~330 EPA) P10 version. The Model says this across the mid-range vehicle set (ix3-40, ex60-p10, R2 Perf, Model Y LR AWD 20). Subject to adjustments for better inputs etc. etc. (noting the only real world validated on this chart is the Model Y, though the iX3 was validated with the 108kwh battery so should be pretty solid).

 

[DuoRivian]

Interesting that all three interiors and all paint colors are no cost upgrades. This alone could easily close the gap with the R2 as paint and interior upgrades are likely to cost $1k each or more.

 

[mellowthecat]

I haven't kept up with the discussion here but looks like the BMW IX3 is getting more range than expected from 400 to 434 miles. This is going to get a hard look before my R2 number is called

https://insideevs.com/news/794380/2027-bmw-ix3-range-increase-us/

 

[Mos Eisley]

Bah. Front hood shakes at 93 mph because it is designed for pedestrian safety. WTH. Just don't hit a pedestrian, dude. Put a real hood on that car already.

Rivian has/had to alter the front end of Euro-destined R2's to meet the same standards for pedestrian safety- it's one of the reasons they mounted the hood/seam as they did.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

 

[Oakwood]

Just got an e-mail from BMW announcing the iX3.
Looks like BMW is aiming right directly at the R2.....or maybe Rivian is aiming at BMW. "Who's on first; What's on second" as Abbot & Costello used to say.

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