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

[DuoRivians]

The version I like comes out $68K, including destination and handling.

I’d wait until there were deals on it (maybe $60k?), but that pricing seems fair given the 20kwh larger battery and faster charging.

Sponsored

 

[TexasBob]

Also for completeness (again subject to all of the modeling estimates etc.) here is a 550 mile road trip at 75 mph. Surprisingly, the range difference in the tires does not make a big difference because of the fast charging speed.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

The current X3 is also incredibly ugly. I was talking about previous gen facelifted model 2022-2025. That was peak BMW

Nah, this was peak BMW...

 

[manitou202]

The version I like comes out $68K, including destination and handling.

I’d wait until there were deals on it (maybe $60k?), but that pricing seems fair given the 20kwh larger battery and faster charging.

Yeah some of the pricing comments in this forum don't make sense. Really this iX3 should be thought of a competitor to an R2 with the equivalent of a Max Battery pack, which Rivian charges $7000 for. That would push an R2 into the mid $60k range, but still have much slower charging.

What BMW is offering, is really quite impressive for the price. Also, BMW will be releasing lower spec variants in the future. That will likely shave another $5k-$10k off the price.

 

[TexasBob]

For me, I am out on the iX3 because I will not buy vehicles that require you to perpetually rent a basic feature like ADAS. Just no. I am glad Rivian is retaining the purchase option.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Nah, this was peak BMW...

Beautiful, but personally, this is to me peak BMW design (and color ):

 

[Apprunner]

Yeah some of the pricing comments in this forum don't make sense. Really this iX3 should be thought of a competitor to an R2 with the equivalent of a Max Battery pack, which Rivian charges $7000 for. That would push an R2 into the mid $60k range, but still have much slower charging.

What BMW is offering, is really quite impressive for the price. Also, BMW will be releasing lower spec variants in the future. That will likely shave another $5k-$10k off the price.

There is still a huge performance discrepancy between the R2 Performance and the mid $60k BMW. Lets see BMW's offering with the same performance before we start comparing these two very different vehicles.

 

[blipit]

I’d wait until there were deals on it (maybe $60k?), but that pricing seems fair given the 20kwh larger battery and faster charging.

Definitely fair. The iX3 50xdrive has 114 mile more range than the R2 Prem AWD. That is massive...32% more range.

The iX3 reviews have backed up BMW stated range numbers. Lets see independent reviews of R2 real world range figures and efficiency.

 

[blipit]

Also for completeness (again subject to all of the modeling estimates etc.) here is a 550 mile road trip at 75 mph. Surprisingly, the range difference in the tires does not make a big difference because of the fast charging speed.

For US market, iX3 is likely the best EV road tripper you can order right now. New Cayenne EV probably peak, but at double the price...it isn't twice as good.

 

[Blue in NC]

There is still a huge performance discrepancy between the R2 Performance and the mid $60k BMW. Lets see BMW's offering with the same performance before we start comparing these two very different vehicles.

I configured the M Sport and mine was $73,500 FWIW. Admittedly not apples to apples. BMW gives you a few extras but R2 LE (at $60K, plus maybe $5K) has quicker performance (not sure on handling). That said, I wish the R2 had an option of a bigger battery/quicker charge even if it meant 10K more.

 

[Apprunner]

I configured the M Sport and mine was $73,500 FWIW. Admittedly not apples to apples. BMW gives you a few extras but R2 LE has quicker performance (not sure on handling).

Not surprised at the price difference. BMW isn't really in the same class as its definitely a higher tier. I bet the higher performance versions may start encroaching on R1 prices. At scale, I bet the R2 will be at least $15k cheaper on average (fleet level) vs. the iX3. I wonder how many actually care about 400 mile range vs. 300 mile range...

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Another thing to consider is that Tesla and Rivian both use the 5-cycle testing method for EPA testing, which inflates numbers a bit (and is harder to achieve in the real world) through the use of a correction factor.

BMW uses the 2-cycle, which is more accurate and more conservative -- which also means that the spread between the R2 and iX3 could be even greater. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Rivian needs to release the configurator already. Then we'll really see the price delta (or lack thereof) which will depend a lot on how much Rivian thinks they can get away with for upcharging colors at this price point.

I don't understand why they are actively making vehicles with deliveries expected next month but no configurator. I know BMW is a more mature company, but they are releasing a configurator now with deliveries scheduled for September-October.

 

[Apprunner]

Another thing to consider is that Tesla and Rivian both use the 5-cycle testing method for EPA testing, which inflates numbers a bit (and is harder to achieve in the real world) through the use of a correction factor.

BMW uses the 2-cycle, which is more accurate and more conservative -- which also means that the spread between the R2 and iX3 could be even greater. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

That used to be the case but the EPA requirements became more stringent over time. Most of the new Teslas hit their EPA figures pretty easily and actually do better in many cases. Same thing may happen with R2 with it hitting EPA targets.

BMW though has always been pretty conservative with their figures so would not be surprised if they could hit that 400 mile figure going 65-70 mph on the highway.

 

[manitou202]

Another thing to consider is that Tesla and Rivian both use the 5-cycle testing method for EPA testing, which inflates numbers a bit (and is harder to achieve in the real world) through the use of a correction factor.

BMW uses the 2-cycle, which is more accurate and more conservative -- which also means that the spread between the R2 and iX3 could be even greater. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Until independent reviewers get ahold of R2s, we really don't know. The iX3 has been reviewed and tested by many different outlets, and has been on sale in Europe for a while. So the range of the iX3 seems really competitive (350+ miles) and the charging speeds are as claimed based on multiple independent tests and customer feedback.

We have yet to see how the R2 will hold up under the same scrutiny.

At the end of the day, they are both very nice options, and attractive vehicles for similar but different reasons. I'm coming from an R1S, so both vehicles seem like a deal. My biggest complaints of our R1S are ride quality, squeaks and rattles, and slow charging speeds. The iX3 will address all of those issues, but I'm not sure the R2 will. Definitely not with charging speeds, but we will see if the R2 is a better ride and better built than the Gen 1 R1S (in terms of squeaks and rattles).

Sponsored