2026 BMW iX3 launches as R2 competitor

[Eric9610]

I assume the $45K will be for reservation holders. Once production catches up I expect a 10% bump if sales seem strong.

Expect the first 8months to a year be the tri-motor. No way they launch lowest trim first. If you look at every car company the top trim comes first. I suspect it will be like the never appearing 35k model 3. Most if not all R2's will be over $50k

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[savethemanual]

Impressive specs with this new BMW, I like it! But am sill going with R2

Rivian is making a mistake by not giving the R2 800v architecture and starting that transition, we'll see how many kW it will pull when DCFC. I realize the reality is, most charge overnight at home...but it's definitely a factor for those road trips and marketing purposes.

 

[Florida Panhandler]

The reality is that this BMW is going to be a $80k vehicle out the door. Finding one not loaded up with typicaL loaded options will be difficult.

 

[manitou202]

The reality is that this BMW is going to be a $80k vehicle out the door. Finding one not loaded up with typicaL loaded options will be difficult.

Not true.

The current ICE X3 M50 starts at $66k in the US. Here is a link to a local BMW dealership with 14 in stock. The highest priced is $75k with most in the low $70k's. That's about $5k-$9k over starting price. Higher end specs typically come loaded with most options.

The iX3 50 xdrive is the top spec at launch and starts at $60k. So most will likely be in the mid to up $60k range. The lower end iX3 40 and iX3 40 xDrive start in the mid $50k range.

My i4 M50 starts at $70,700 and mine was loaded at $75k. Plus it's easy to custom order a BMW.

Schomp BMW X3 Inventory

 

[Hillbilly]

I have always wanted a BMW… but I dont understand where their designers have been going the last decade. I really want to like it… but i can’t see past the grill.

For real. I loved my old 335i coupe. Tuned to hell and would smoke the M3. The grill was perfect. This vertical shit sucks ass

 

[DanielEV2023]

No driver screen. I would never buy one for that reason; the ugly beaver teeth aren't doing it any favors either.

It looks like a character from the kids movie Cars.

 

[DanielEV2023]

Also the grille is cool. It’s retro and I like it. I’m in my 30s and grew up with Chris Bangle BMWs, however. So I’m used to BMWs looking quirky.

But why does an EV need a big grill in the first place? Just because old ICE-y habits die hard? Maybe a new design ethos for EV’s is warranted.

 

[Virtio]

Also for about $60K or so you will be able to get the new Mercedes GLC EV around the end of 2026 with it's huge 39" Hyperscreen and 16-speaker Burmester audio system. BTW, does anyone know if the R2 will have a base audio system and optional audio system upgrade like the R1?

 

[KRG]

But why does an EV need a big grill in the first place? Just because old ICE-y habits die hard? Maybe a new design ethos for EV’s is warranted.

I agree with you. It’s better than the i4/iX grill but still silly. Same with the new GLC EV. The R2 looks better than all of these.

 

[Holler Wanderer]

I like it. Impressive specs. But it will still be the R2 for me as an avid hiker, camper etc. Need the ground clearance.

 

[savethemanual]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vojt...b&rcm=ACoAAAO5j-8BWNg0i8ekrA5Sv5KFsHK2bljCGtY


Great Video showing more details of the factory, certainly a much lower carbon footprint of the vehicle compared to others. Break even of comparable ICE SUV is now down to 1 yr! Then it's all gains back for the entire lifecycle of the vehicle.

https://insideevs.com/news/768175/bmw-ix3-sustainability-co2-emissions/

 

[M3_R2]

I'm one of those weird cross shoppers that would consider this. I could put up with the beaver teeth. Better than a urinal and perhaps could do a modification to mitigate it a bit. Though I see the R2 as sitting very nicely (my optics only, of course) between a Scout and an iX3. Just wish the R2 had (or at least as an option) more range and faster charging. If tariffs remain, the iX3 would be strongly considered. Watched the Out of Spec review. Looks like it might do one of my trips without stops which would be very nice. Hope that's not the production steering wheel/controls. I have no issues with the screen shape. Overall, a very solid release but at a higher price point which makes the tri R2 a closer comparison and far zippier. Will be interesting to see if the V2H is released in North America at some point.

 

[savethemanual]

The iX3 front end is fine IMO, for me it's more about the interior (it will have 3 steering wheel options BTW) and how it drives because that's where I spend my time in a vehicle! The BMW has a very tech forward vibe, I much prefer the R2's outdoorsy vibe but hey to each their own. The specs are looking much better with the iX3 in regards to it's charge curve and range. BMW will have better service center options and most likely be more of a refined vehicle given the pedigree of the brand. The R2 should be a bit less expensive though, but BMW seems to have priced the iX3 aggressively! These two SUV's will be a great comparison review when they're out!

 

[dgennetten]

I have always wanted a BMW… but I dont understand where their designers have been going the last decade. I really want to like it… but i can’t see past the grill.

At least they got rid of the giant pair of URINAL stickers from the last design.

 

[M3_R2]

iX3 1000 km range test

You will need to turn on English subtitles.

Good Cd, large battery, crossover size = long range. Nothing new there. Will be interesting to see if Tesla does something similar with a larger pack size. If the R2 had this and 800v, even as an option, it would slay the competition. You'd probably also convert some EREV fence sitters. People want range. They likely don't need it, but they want it. BMW is delivering so now we get to see how much cost is prohibitive or not. I'm guessing only a small fraction of people that find 500 miles very attractive, will be willing to pay these prices for what is otherwise essentially a very nice entry level vehicle that has great suspension and a somewhat polarizing look and feel.

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