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

[Sportstick]

I dont know that one car has to be better than another to be good.

I'll agree with that and take the next step. There is no such thing as "better". Any two things in the universe can exist in one of two states...they are identical to each other or they are different from each other. That's it. The concept of applying a valence to deem one "better" is wholly subjective as seen through the filter of each individual's preferences. Any particular characteristic that one person prefers, another may oppose or find of no value in assessing pros/cons. There is subjective preference of one thing aligning more with an individual's attitudes, wants, and needs, but there is no such thing as being objectively "better".

EDIT: There is one universal exception to this rule. Chocolate is always better than vanilla.

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[mellowthecat]

EDIT: There is one universal exception to this rule. Chocolate is always better than vanilla.

except in the case of white chocolate cause that shit is just gross

 

[manitou202]

I dont know that one car has to be better than another to be good. Why cant the BMW be a good/great car as well as the R2. I've owned a few BMWs. They are good cars. I just prefer American made these days and Rivian fits the bill. There are so many choices out there these days that a car purchase has become subjective.

Exactly. We currently have an R1S and a BMW i4 M50. We love both of these cars for very different reasons. Our R1S lease is up next, so the R2 and the iX3 are our leading contenders to replace it. While we love the Rivian style and interior, the iX3 with a sportier ride, better comfort and luxury, along with the range and fast charging will likely push us to the iX3.

Quite a few people have mentioned Rivian having an advantage over BMW in terms of UI, but none of us have actually tried the iX3. If you take the time to watch the detailed Out of Spec video on their new UI, you might come away quite impressed. I don't mind our current i4 UI, and the iX3 seems to be quite the improvement.

 

[mellowthecat]

If you take the time to watch the detailed Out of Spec video on their new UI, you might come away quite impressed. I don't mind our current i4 UI, and the iX3 seems to be quite the improvement.

This video is what tipped me toward BMW. Trusting the software was a big priority for me

 

[manitou202]

This video is what tipped me toward BMW. Trusting the software was a big priority for me

I think it is the first Out of Spec video I watched all the way through. Their videos are still to damn long.

 

[DuoRivian]

Exactamundo. At the risk of offending everyone who's contributed to this incredibly exhaustive thread (and I've never done that before ), I think R2 and iX3, other than both being EVs with a slight pricing overlap in the $60-65K range, have just about nothing in common. They look radically different, and have very different primary appeals and functionalities. You can love one, both or even neither, but trying to ascertain which is better for anyone but you personally will not be particularly productive.

Do I wish R2 had better charging, sure! I also wish iX3 looked like R2 inside and out instead of like iX3. And I wish I could buy both for $30K each. None of these things are going to happen.

They have a fair bit in common, both SUVs that seat five and have comparable cargo space in the rear.

 

[mellowthecat]

I think it is the first Out of Spec video I watched all the way through. Their videos are still to damn long.

100% same here

 

[Jeremy3292]

I dont know that one car has to be better than another to be good. Why cant the BMW be a good/great car as well as the R2. I've owned a few BMWs. They are good cars. I just prefer American made these days and Rivian fits the bill. There are so many choices out there these days that a car purchase has become subjective.

The iX vehicles will be made in South Carolina shortly. I live near BMW and they just brought online a MASSIVE battery plant in Woodruff, down the road from the BMW factory that makes all the ICE X vehicles. .

 

[MaskedRacerX]

They have a fair bit in common, both SUVs that seat five and have comparable cargo space in the rear.

The same, but different

I think what we're finally getting in the EV space is a lot of unique experience between vehicles that on the surface are quite alike, but when you consider the execution details, they're notably different.

It was just a few years ago we just had "electric cars".

Then we started seeing that there were cars and SUVs and then ultimately trucks and then within each of those discrete market segments they start having a lot of diversity: big SUVs , medium sized SUVs , sporty SUVs , off-road capable SUVs, very utilitarian SUVs.

I think the very thing that some people are arguing over, is the thing that we should all be pretty thankful about. That EVs didn't simple chug along as "applicances", that they have a lof of nuance, a lot of personality, a lot of unique characteristics across brands, model, etc. Since most folks here are fans of EVs, we should all be very excited by this!

 

[mkhuffman]

I think it is the first Out of Spec video I watched all the way through. Their videos are still to damn long.

1.5x speed is the way.

 

[windblowlc]

All personal opinions respected, of course, but two items to take further. I disagee that EVs are inherently defined by software. For some who may share my attitude, if my current X3 could be magically changed to an EV powertrain, I'd keep it as is. I don't care about the software stacked, laid out, spread around, or whatever else one does with software. I certainly make sure to skip over and not order any autonomous features. The car already has navigation. My music comes via Sirius satellite and my phone has no other need to connect and I don't need any other apps. I don't disagree that some others share your perspective, but it's certainly not universal among all EV buyers.

Whether a design is "progressive" or not would also be subjective. The iX3 is certainly not regressive, evoking designs of the past except for a minor nod to the Hofmeister Kink. It's not a current design lookalike to the G45 current generation X3, so doing diagnosis by exclusion, it represents progress to a new design. They should call it the New Class! Conversely, those buying an R2 are buying a reduced size lookalike version of something that has been around for years. From a distance, most typical "civilians" would likely have trouble telling an R2 from an R1. Designs and aesthetics evolve over time for the sake of interest, improvement, efficiency, pleasing the mind...we are inherently wired to notice novelty, and then each can determine if it's for better or worse. I think iX3 is better; you apparently feel the opposite. That's why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors!

EDIT: As to performance, any of these vehicles will get me to Costco or the next red light plenty fast enough. As to suspension/steering performance, even MB and Audi can't keep up with BMW. R2 may be great for off-road, but one would not compare an R2 to an iX3 on suspension attributes for normal daily driving street use, or even an occasional run on a track. Two different types of vehicles completely in that arena.

I had a 2026 X3 rental for a week in Florida early this year and I couldn't wait to return it. I've owned 2 X5s, an F30 330i, a Z4M Coupe, and an E46 3 series convertible in my 50 years of driving and the X3 was the worst Bimmer I've driven/used. As to suspension/steering, it's agree to disagree. BMW suspension at their worst is bone jaring (they can never tune their X3/X4/X5/X6M performance right) and not something I would ever want to own. BMW has never been able to compete with Porsche in this regard - if I want a super fast super handling vehicle that can also ride on cloud money is no object, I would look to Porsche. But the Macan EV is $120K+, the Cayenne EV is $180K+ so the R2 LE at $60K is a steal while waiting for the R2 Tri Motor and the R3X. I wouldn't want to spend $70K for an IX3 with ho hum styling.

Never been a fan of Baskin-Robbins either, sorry.

 

[Virtio]

You can now build and price the EX60 for USA delivery.

https://www.volvocars.com/us/build/ex60-electric/

 

[Virtio]

Basically the EX60 P10 AWD (322 miles of range) is $62,145 (inc. delivery).
Add $6600 for B&W sound system, electrochromic glass on the roof and ventilated Nappa leather seats. Choice of paint and interior color is free.

 

[Mikey]

Exactly. We currently have an R1S and a BMW i4 M50. We love both of these cars for very different reasons. Our R1S lease is up next, so the R2 and the iX3 are our leading contenders to replace it. While we love the Rivian style and interior, the iX3 with a sportier ride, better comfort and luxury, along with the range and fast charging will likely push us to the iX3.

Quite a few people have mentioned Rivian having an advantage over BMW in terms of UI, but none of us have actually tried the iX3. If you take the time to watch the detailed Out of Spec video on their new UI, you might come away quite impressed. I don't mind our current i4 UI, and the iX3 seems to be quite the improvement.

I agree. I want the adventurer look which is swaying me to the R2. OOS did mention the iX3 electronics are fantastic except it did not have a dog/camping mode. Can't remember exactly, but the iX3 powers down after around 30 minutes.

 

[Jabbahop]

the Summarize the video option in my youtube premium ios app s the only way to consume Kyle content. ;-)

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