120 miles/day - Rivian R2 vs BMW i3X

[Universe93B]

Love the shape and look and brand of the Rivian R2, but BMW seems to have a good vehicle on their hands in the fall when the I3X comes out. It seems BMW has had good reliability with their current iX and almost seems like a sleeper EV maker.

Which one would have the best build quality and also reliability for over 20k miles/year put on the vehicle?

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[LevelHeaded]

I think posing this question to a broader EV community like r/electricvehicles would get you a more balanced set of responses than a Rivian forum

 

[RandomMcRandomFace]

I also think this is very much a sit in both and see which one speaks to you. You need to pick that car that meets your needs.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

How close are you to a Rivian service center? If you're close, I'd say you'll like the Rivian. If not, it might be a different story.

 

[Zorg]

It needs to be more reliable than my gen1 R1T that just died in my driveway yesterday.

 

[TexasBob]

Since you asked... I have opinions having looked at both pretty carefully.

First my 2c I would not buy either one this year. I would wait for the R2 with the more advanced Autonomy features. I would also wait for the BMW with the active suspension since the harsh ride is the most common complaint among reviewers. Both will be available by Dec / Jan. Worth the wait IMO.

Comparing then the Jan versions...
Autonomy BMW much better now, Rivian should get better over time.
Rear seating space - Rivian much better
Cargo Rivian should be a bit better but close, way better in the frunk
Range and Charging - BMW gives R2 a proper smackdown here which matters a lot if you road trip and little if you don't
Repair costs and maintenance - BMW will be easier, just true (says man who has to replace a $5,000 door to fix a side view mirror)
Software - Rivian should be better over time but I think BMW better for now (which I know is weird and I would not have thought I would say that either).

For me personally, I would go with R2 100% of the time despite its weaknesses if not for the shorter range/slower charging. R2 is, IMO, a very, very nice vehicle. (Oh, and the weakness in the EX60 since you did not ask according to the Bob-o-meter is very weak autonomy like Gen 1 R1, and slow-assed charging at a 400V station though super fast charging at 800V, BMW does not have that problem).

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Since you asked... I have opinions having looked at both pretty carefully.

First my 2c I would not buy either one this year. I would wait for the R2 with the more advanced Autonomy features. I would also wait for the BMW with the active suspension since the harsh ride is the most common complaint among reviewers. Both will be available by Dec / Jan. Worth the wait IMO.

Comparing then the Jan versions...
Autonomy BMW much better now, Rivian should get better over time.
Rear seating space - Rivian much better
Cargo Rivian should be a bit better but close, way better in the frunk
Range and Charging - BMW gives R2 a proper smackdown here which matters a lot if you road trip and little if you don't
Repair costs and maintenance - BMW will be easier, just true (says man who has to replace a $5,000 door to fix a side view mirror)
Software - Rivian should be better over time but I think BMW better for now (which I know is weird and I would not have thought I would say that either).

For me personally, I would go with R2 100% of the time despite its weaknesses if not for the shorter range/slower charging. R2 is, IMO, a very, very nice vehicle. (Oh, and the weakness in the EX60 since you did not ask according to the Bob-o-meter is very weak autonomy like Gen 1 R1, and slow-assed charging at a 400V station though super fast charging at 800V, BMW does not have that problem).

I have an i4M50 and IDK what you mean by better software. From a stability standpoint I would agree, the BMW software stack is better than Rivian's. I don't think I've ever had an error with my wife's BMW. It works, but it's more plain. Rivian's software offering is more complicated but does more stuff.

 

[Thebandit]

The big benefit of the R2 is ground clearance and price, neither of which matter for a long commute unless you're in an area that gets a lot of snow or spend time off pavement. If so, Rivian. Otherwise, BMW.

 

[Doggman]

We have an R1S (2026) and an iX (2024), so not an identical comparison, but close. We've had X3s and X5s in the not so distant past, so pretty familiar with BMW SUVs. I put in between 1500 and 2000 miles a month on the R1, now almost 10k, the Bimmer has 35k. I've not driven an R2. Neither vehicle has any drivability issues as of yet.

Both have decent range and more or less equivalent charging stats, at least in real life situations. Both are way faster than they have any right to be. BMW definitely has the superior fit and finish, on-road manners and is quieter. The R1 has better utility/capability with cargo and terrain along with truck like ergos which I prefer for long drives (not a fan of being "enveloped" by the vehicles interior). The iX will definitely never be taken camping or used to haul bags of dirt or lumber from Home Depot.

Rivian's software is IMHO the much easier to navigate/use on the go than Bimmer's, more so now with RA, and there are the updates that regularly bring new features/functions. I find the iDrive requires way more futzing around and drilling into to do simple things and updates are far and few between (so far). Voice commands are iffy-er in the iX and I'm not a fan of the hand gestures which change the media every time you reach for your cup of coffee or sunglasses, but like anything once you get used to it I'm sure it's fine. BMW also has the CarPlay/AA advantage so there's that along with more physical buttons. tl;dr The Rivian is definitely the software driven car whereas the iX is a car with software.

They both offer level 2 self drive on the highway. I don't notice much of a difference between them on the highway these days, both make long hauls more relaxed. BMWs may be marginally better in stop and go traffic but not by much, particularly if you put the Rivian in mild mode (spicy mode does up the abruptness of braking and acceleration relative to the iX but results in few drivers trying to squeeze in front of you if that matters).

If reliability alone is the deciding factor then it would be hard not to go with the legacy manufacturer - it's unlikely that BMW will have disappeared from the market 10 years from now. Rivian? I hope not, it's no Fiskars but it's not as sure of a bet either.

 

[Great Gatsby]

It depends overall, but based on your last question, BMW. Their build quality is impeccable. They have also been building vehicles for a while and know not to mess that up with their customer base.

If reliability, serviceability and over stability are the pillars, then BMW wins all 3. Not to say I expect the R2 to suffer at any of these, but at the moment they have a smaller network in comparison with some growing pains for a new company.

As for the car that might be more exciting in the long run...Rivian. The R2 is just plain cool, specially if you get it in a fun color. Not sure if that weighs in at all in your consideration, but it is what has me deciding to get the R2 over the iX3 currently but this can change after a test drive. It also cheaper and faster as well.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Road tripper the BMW......it really isn't that close.....

 

[DuoRivians]

I’d say bmw

 

[TexasBob]

I have an i4M50 and IDK what you mean by better software. From a stability standpoint I would agree, the BMW software stack is better than Rivian's. I don't think I've ever had an error with my wife's BMW. It works, but it's more plain. Rivian's software offering is more complicated but does more stuff.

I am basing this on various software deep dives. I think this one is pretty good.



And this



The new software's hugely customizable. Little things like the camera and the energy monitoring etc. And of course has the AA/CP mirroring. Also super impressive digital assistant (built on Alexa) which Rivian is certainly not. But I have not spent any time with the new software in person so my observation may be wrong.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I am basing this on various software deep dives. I think this one is pretty good.



And this



The new software's hugely customizable. Little things like the camera and the energy monitoring etc. And of course has the AA/CP mirroring. Also super impressive digital assistant (built on Alexa) which Rivian is certainly not. But I have not spent any time with the new software in person so my observation may be wrong.

That's fair; my comment was based on the older software. I don't know anything about the new stuff; I'll give those videos a watch.

 

[TexasBob]

That's fair; my comment was based on the older software. I don't know anything about the new stuff; I'll give those videos a watch.

I think the OOS video with teh software designer is probably the more enlightening of the two. IMO very impressive and more than what I see on my R1 on numerous dimensions. BMW seems to be really upping their game.

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