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

[Wilber]

So I just got to sit in and demo the iX3!

I was not allowed to take any pictures since it was the training car for BMW. All the badges were covered up.

The car is very very impressive in person. The exterior looks amazing in person. The interior is phenomenal and the new display configuration is a game changer, so crisp and clear. BMW hit a homerun with this car.

Deliveries start in October and all the cars are coming from Europe. Sticker was $72k

In the end I will most likely stay with the R2 as it is more appealing to me...

Thanks for the update. I have a configured iX3 on order. Sticker price is 67,150 including destination fee. I will be test driving the R2 and iX3 soon, and will decide then which one to get. I suspect it will turn on how the audio system sounds. I have an extensive mp3 library on an usb stick and currently use it in a BMW iX thru a data ready usb-c port. And, BMW has a very nice audio system that sounds great and organizes the tunes in a nice interface. As I understand it, the R2 doesnt have a data ready usb-c port. So, I would need to use bluetooth from my phone to play my tunes. A cludgy work around that does NOT sound as good as a USB stick directly connected to the car. With that said, maybe the Rivian folks can convince me that the R2 audio will work well enough. It's nice that the R2 is about same size as iX3 but about 7500 cheaper. We shall see.

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[Eric9610]

Thanks for the update. I have a configured iX3 on order. Sticker price is 67,150 including destination fee. I will be test driving the R2 and iX3 soon, and will decide then which one to get. I suspect it will turn on how the audio system sounds. I have an extensive mp3 library on an usb stick and currently use it in a BMW iX thru a data ready usb-c port. And, BMW has a very nice audio system that sounds great and organizes the tunes in a nice interface. As I understand it, the R2 doesnt have a data ready usb-c port. So, I would need to use bluetooth from my phone to play my tunes. A cludgy work around that does NOT sound as good as a USB stick directly connected to the car. With that said, maybe the Rivian folks can convince me that the R2 audio will work well enough. It's nice that the R2 is about same size as iX3 but about 7500 cheaper. We shall see.

After sitting in both I can tell you each car is distinctly their brands in a very good way. The packaging on the Rivian has more space and feels much larger inside. The BMW feels smaller and sportier. I can’t explain how impressive the digital bar screen is in the BMW. Super clear and very easy to use. Rear seating room and trunk space I give to Rivian. Drive, charging speed, and range will go the BMW


Similar cars but different in a good way.

 

[windblowlc]

Drive, charging speed, and range will go the BMW


Similar cars but different in a good way.

Did you test drive the iX3? It's premature to say the iX3 drives better when the R2 hasn't been available to test drive yet.

 

[Eric9610]

Did you test drive the iX3? It's premature to say the iX3 drives better when the R2 hasn't been available to test drive yet.

I have driven both and yes the BMW drives better...

 

[mkhuffman]

I have driven both and yes the BMW drives better...

Not on the sand at the beach.

 

[windblowlc]

I have driven both and yes the BMW drives better...

How so? Can you elaborate? "BMW drives better..." is not convincing anyone

 

[Thebandit]

How so? Can you elaborate? "BMW drives better..." is not convincing anyone

I mean it's not had to imagine that a BMW that sits 2" closer to the ground has a sportier and better driving experience than a Rivian. We're all Rivian fans but it's hard to argue with BMWs pedigree.

 

[mdpa]

I mean it's not had to imagine that a BMW that sits 2" closer to the ground has a sportier and better driving experience than a Rivian. We're all Rivian fans but it's hard to argue with BMWs pedigree.

Yes, they have advantages in different areas, even though they will be cross shopped due to the similarities in pricing. If handling is a priority, then I think the Model Y should be evaluated as well since it is a sub $60K option.

 

[Thebandit]

Yes, they have advantages in different areas, even though they will be cross shopped due to the similarities in pricing. If handling is a priority, then I think the Model Y should be evaluated as well since it is a sub $60K option.

Well sure. For me, Tesla is out for a number of reasons. I would cross shop the BMW, but the much lower ground clearance makes it a no-go for me. My previous car was a lifted Impreza which had a little over 7 inches of ground clearance, and it just wasn't enough. My current cross truck Wilderness at almost 9 inches is pretty good. I would certainly consider the BMW if it was more like 9 in.

Other than the goofy Solterra, the R2 is the only small-to-mid EV SUV on the market with decent specs and ground clearance. So I'm not really even shopping it against anything else. It's pretty much "get the R2 or keep my Crosstrek Wilderness until something better shows up."

 

[mellowthecat]

How so? Can you elaborate? "BMW drives better..." is not convincing anyone

I have not driven either, I would bet every dollar I have that the iX3 drives better than the R2. It’s BMW’s thing they’re known for. Plus every review I have seen says the iX3 drives better than the EX60 and GLC.

the R2 is not meant to be a sporty drivers car. It’s like the difference between a roadster and a muscle car

 

[TexasBob]

Well sure. For me, Tesla is out for a number of reasons. I would cross shop the BMW, but the much lower ground clearance makes it a no-go for me. My previous car was a lifted Impreza which had a little over 7 inches of ground clearance, and it just wasn't enough. My current cross truck Wilderness at almost 9 inches is pretty good. I would certainly consider the BMW if it was more like 9 in.

Other than the goofy Solterra, the R2 is the only small-to-mid EV SUV on the market with decent specs and ground clearance. So I'm not really even shopping it against anything else. It's pretty much "get the R2 or keep my Crosstrek Wilderness until something better shows up."

I think this is about right

• Rivian R2: 9.6 inches (fixed).
• Jeep Recon EV: 9.1 inches (fixed)*.
• Audi Q6 e-tron: Up to 9.0 inches (with optional adaptive air suspension).
• Polestar 3: Up to 8.3 inches (with standard air suspension set to maximum height)
• Subaru Trailseeker (2026): 8.5 inches (fixed)
• Subaru Solterra: 8.3 inches (fixed).
• Mercedes-Benz Electric GLC SUV: Up to 8.1 inches (with optional Airmatic suspension).
• Chevrolet Blazer EV: 7.9 inches (fixed).
• Volvo EX60 Cross Country (2026): Up to 7.6 inches (with standard air suspension).
• Volvo EX60 Standard (2026): 7.2 inches (fixed).
• BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse NA5): 6.9 inches (fixed).
• Tesla Model Y: 6.6 inches (fixed on Long Range AWD).

* Yes, I know the Recon is not a usable vehicle, just including since it has a lot of ground clearance.

 

[Eric9610]

How so? Can you elaborate? "BMW drives better..." is not convincing anyone

The BMW drive better on road is what I should have said. For almost everyone on here that will be 90% of the use. The feel in the BMW is sportier by a large margin, and not just from the drive and handling but total car feel. Like I said the cars a distinctly their brands and that translates to every aspect of the car. This is a very good thing in my opinion.

Personally, the R2 checks more boxes that appeal to me. Higher seating position, more ground clearance, traditional box SUV design.

 

[DuoRivian]

Well sure. For me, Tesla is out for a number of reasons. I would cross shop the BMW, but the much lower ground clearance makes it a no-go for me. My previous car was a lifted Impreza which had a little over 7 inches of ground clearance, and it just wasn't enough. My current cross truck Wilderness at almost 9 inches is pretty good. I would certainly consider the BMW if it was more like 9 in.

Other than the goofy Solterra, the R2 is the only small-to-mid EV SUV on the market with decent specs and ground clearance. So I'm not really even shopping it against anything else. It's pretty much "get the R2 or keep my Crosstrek Wilderness until something better shows up."

The Trailseeker is better looking than the Solterra with a larger trunk. Good ground clearance and drive modes and very fast for sub $40k.

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