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

[DuoRivian]

Sounds amazing! Is it actually going to sell for that though, or are we talking about starting at $59,999? Then there are the various upgrade packages to get what you want, fluctuating tariffs (or will this be made in the US?), dealer markups due to demand, etc. How much are people really going to pay for this on average? It still sounds great regardless, just always more expensive than it appears.

The configurator is rumored to be out on 6th May so we will know pricing then. The $60K price doesn't include destination just like Rivian. So I would expect it to be $2-3K more than the performance. For that is will miss out on heated/cooled seats, glass roof, but gain 70-100 miles of range, significantly faster L3 charging and be 1s slower (on par with Premium R2). It, along with the Volvo EX60, introduces choice - so if heated seats etc are not important but range and charging speed are (and a larger service network) then you can choose a vehicle that suits your needs for a comparable price.

The other thing to watch is option prices, both BMW and Volvo will have paint choice below $1000 and have three interior choices at likely no or minimal charge. They also come with 20" wheels, whereas for the R2 you could be paying several thousand dollars extra for those if that is what you wanted.

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[Gen(R3)Xer]

All good points. Thanks. May 6th is right around the corner. Of course without direct sales we will have to wait to see what people are actually going to pay from the dealerships. If demand is high people will definitely be paying above sticker, especially based on location.

 

[DuoRivian]

All good points. Thanks. May 6th is right around the corner. Of course without direct sales we will have to wait to see what people are actually going to pay from the dealerships. If demand is high people will definitely be paying above sticker, especially based on location.

Volvo is also rumored before Memorial Day to unveil their US specs - Canadian configurator is up.

As for pricing, I can see this year being higher (although some dealers have said MSRP), but next year when the Mexico factory comes online they will want to move volume and they have usually done good lease deals so I expect they will be competitive.

Main point is Rivian has competition at the top end of the R2 (not including tri motor) as well as at the lower end (Subaru Trailseeker is surprisingly competent for sub $40K).

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Volvo is also rumored before Memorial Day to unveil their US specs - Canadian configurator is up.

As for pricing, I can see this year being higher (although some dealers have said MSRP), but next year when the Mexico factory comes online they will want to move volume and they have usually done good lease deals so I expect they will be competitive.

Main point is Rivian has competition at the top end of the R2 (not including tri motor) as well as at the lower end (Subaru Trailseeker is surprisingly competent for sub $40K).

I like the Subaru Trailseeker too, but I think it’s more of an R3 competitor. It’s definitely a compact crossover with a lot less interior space. Looks great though. My wife wants an EV now and I think she should consider this.

 

[DuoRivian]

I like the Subaru Trailseeker too, but I think it’s more of an R3 competitor. It’s definitely a compact crossover with a lot less interior space. Looks great though. My wife wants an EV now and I think she should consider this.

I have leased a Trailseeker and it is 4” inches longer than an R2. It has comparable trunk (31 cu ft vs 29 in the R2) and legroom in the rear is comparable (R2 is listed as a few inches more but the Trailseeker easily takes 6’1 people).

The Uncharted will compete with the R3.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I have leased a Trailseeker and it is 4” inches longer than an R2. It has comparable trunk (31 cu ft vs 29 in the R2) and legroom in the rear is comparable (R2 is listed as a few inches more but the Trailseeker easily takes 6’1 people).

The Uncharted will compete with the R3.

Aaaaah, that’s what I was thinking of, the Uncharted. I always get those names mixed up. That starts under $35K, right? I’m not sure if the R3 will go that low. Maybe the base model? They keep saying significantly cheaper than the R2, but what does that mean? Of course they’re not going to tell us, so as to not Osborne the R2.

 

[Apprunner]

The performance spec between the BMW and R2 will be wildly different at $60k. Not really comparable given the massive speed difference. Also, the BMW isn't really an offroader which automatically disqualifies it for many people. Hope the Tri-motor gets a bigger battery option but doubt it.

 

[Billyk24]

800v, 400kw charging with 400 mile epa range. Great bones to the car

EPA range? Thanks to the 112kWh battery pack. Put that in the R2 and we have what "range"?

 

[TexasBob]

The performance spec between the BMW and R2 will be wildly different at $60k. Not really comparable given the massive speed difference. Also, the BMW isn't really an offroader which automatically disqualifies it for many people. Hope the Tri-motor gets a bigger battery option but doubt it.

The R2 will be quicker but much shorter range and slower charging. The m version of the iX3 will likely close the gap on the performance for those who think sub 5 second crossovers are too slow. The i3M has already been confirmed as a quad motor for 2028. If they bring that same powertrain to the ix3 (why???) it will definitely offer plenty of performance. BMW should be very competent in snow and gravel roads but definitely not an off road vehicle.

 

[mellowthecat]

EPA range? Thanks to the 112kWh battery pack. Put that in the R2 and we have what "range"?

Put that battery in the R2, It might have better range than the iX3 but the R2 doesn’t have a 112kWh or 800v battery. So we will never know.

If I was 6’8” and 260 lbs, I could play in the NBA.

 

[DuoRivians]

EPA range? Thanks to the 112kWh battery pack. Put that in the R2 and we have what "range"?

Miles per kWh is considerably more efficient than the R2. iX3 gets 508 miles of actual range when driven at 50 mph

 

[TexasBob]

EPA range? Thanks to the 112kWh battery pack. Put that in the R2 and we have what "range"?

Since you asked... the TexasBob unofficial real-world range model says:

I changed the cells from the 4695 to the 46120 (that BMW is using) that gave a usable pack of 111 kwh as my hypothetical R2 "Max Pack" which I totally think Rivian should do. That would chew up 1/2" ground clearance and 1/2" headroom without a fundamental re-engineering. You still don't get to full BMW level range because of bigger frontal area and 400V inefficiencies.

 

[Apprunner]

The R2 will be quicker but much shorter range and slower charging. The m version of the iX3 will likely close the gap on the performance for those who think sub 5 second crossovers are too slow. The i3M has already been confirmed as a quad motor for 2028. If they bring that same powertrain to the ix3 (why???) it will definitely offer plenty of performance. BMW should be very competent in snow and gravel roads but definitely not an off road vehicle.

You're missing the point. I'm talking $60k price point with much different specs. One is much faster than the other while one charges faster and has longer range.

The i3M will be near $100k just like any other M model and not really comparable. There are already extremely fast EVs at that price point.

 

[TexasBob]

You're missing the point. I'm talking $60k price point with much different specs. One is much faster than the other while one charges faster and has longer range.

The i3M will be near $100k just like any other M model and not really comparable. There are already extremely fast EVs at that price point.

I was not missing the point. We agree. Rivian is giving you a quicker vehicle for $60k. BMW is giving you one that is longer range and faster charging.

I was just pointing out that BMW will also have a stupidly quick quad-motor M variant at least in the sedan that might port to the IX3. I have no idea why anyone would want this. As the owner of non-performance dual and tri-motor Rivians, and former owner of the OG quad, I personally find minimal value in the quicker vehicle and I would not pay for it. I found it lots of fun for a few weeks and then meh. I do not drive like that. YMMV.

 

[Apprunner]

I was not missing the point. We agree. Rivian is giving you a quicker vehicle for $60k. BMW is giving you one that is longer range and faster charging.

I was just pointing out that BMW will also have a stupidly quick quad-motor M variant at least in the sedan that might port to the IX3. I have no idea why anyone would want this. As the owner of non-performance dual and tri-motor Rivians, and former owner of the OG quad, I personally find minimal value in the quicker vehicle and I would not pay for it. I found it lots of fun for a few weeks and then meh. I do not drive like that. YMMV.

This is why choice is so important. I really don't want to downgrade the speed from my current ride so will look for the tri-motor R2 variant. I'm hoping the range penalty won't be so drastic. I'll assess when the specs come out though. I care less about range and even less about charging speed as i charge like 99% of the time at home.

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