Finished R2 demo test drive? Share your review / impressions

[Millbarge]

Right, I assumed the iX3 was still a fairly compact SUV, like the X3 used to be, but apparently its cargo floor is even slightly longer and wider than the R2’s, based on the measurements I found online. That small difference could matter for some families.

The BMW does not offer a spare-tire option, though. If you are not getting the spare for the Rivian either and mostly drive on-road, then the decision may come down mainly to price versus range. The iX3 can offer close to 400 miles of range, which could be a major advantage for people who take more road trips.

And CarPlay/AA in bmw will be a huge advantage for some, for sure.

iX3 is pretty close to the size of R2. BMW's subcompact EV, the iX1, isn't available in the US (unless you want to get the Mini Countryman version of it).

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[Jeremy3292]

My best guess at matching up R2P with iX3 price wise for those curious, without shipping/destination charges. Obviously they are somewhat different vehicles in general.

R2P: $57,990 (no destination)
iX3: $68,900 (no destination)

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-own.html#/studio/fxtzbf5v/summary

 

[rvnxyz001]

My best guess at matching up R2P with iX3 price wise for those curious, without shipping/destination charges. Obviously they are somewhat different vehicles in general.

R2P: $57,990 (no destination)
iX3: $68,900 (no destination)

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-own.html#/studio/fxtzbf5v/summary

Plus you get $3500 discount on rivian if you are in California/first time EV

 

[Thebandit]

It's a BMW. It drives like a sports car. The 2 biggest differences:

The BMW is buttery smooth. Both the regen and the acceleration are smooth, and the car has plenty of get up and go.

Considerably less body roll in the BMW. Made the R2 feel like a boat

I mean, the R2 has like 3 more inches of ground clearance. By comparison, the BMW is basically a car and not an SUV.

 

[mellowthecat]

I mean, the R2 has like 3 more inches of ground clearance. By comparison, the BMW is basically a car and not an SUV.

yeah as I have said many times. I am not sure they should even be compared. The only reason they are compared is because they're EV's and they're being released at similar times. Otherwise they are completely different vehicles targeted somewhat different consumers, and different price points, and I am not sure why Rivian enthusiasts keep trying to to compare them and less so but still vice versa.

 

[graytag]

I am driving an i4 right now after turning in my R1S. I have to say BMW makes a fantastic EV, and it is still 100% BMW, which is a good thing. Even though I am currently waiting on a VIN for the R2, I am having doubts. I could keep the i4 for commuting and get a sub $20,000 truck (like a used Maverick or Ridgeline) for my weekend and MTB needs. The BMW is super efficient, and I commute about 80 miles a day. I'm pretty sure I'll get the R2, but BMW is making it hard.

Exact same shoes except I received a VIN a few weeks ago. The more I drive the i4 the more impressed I am- almost an ideal commuter. My lifestyle aligns better with the R2...hence I have thought about a similar set up as you described.

The other piece- regarding the iX3- no one is mentioning is that, while priced higher, BMW leases tend to be fairly aggressive. Again, big BMW fan but absolutely not quite "there" with the iX3 looks but, for those who don't mind them, it could be a compelling value prop.

 

[Jeremy3292]

yeah as I have said many times. I am not sure they should even be compared. The only reason they are compared is because they're EV's and they're being released at similar times. Otherwise they are completely different vehicles targeted somewhat different consumers, and different price points, and I am not sure why Rivian enthusiasts keep trying to to compare them and less so but still vice versa.

I agree, it's just been a constant comparison on this forum for some reason of people cross shopping them. There's a very long thread about it too somewhere.

 

[rvnxyz001]

yeah as I have said many times. I am not sure they should even be compared. The only reason they are compared is because they're EV's and they're being released at similar times. Otherwise they are completely different vehicles targeted somewhat different consumers, and different price points, and I am not sure why Rivian enthusiasts keep trying to to compare them and less so but still vice versa.

For some people, both are just cars. Most people are not going on any adventures with their Rivians, and the BMW iX3 can accomplish the same things.

 

[mellowthecat]

I think it is the newness of the market too. You don't see many people comparing a Wrangler and a Rav4 or even a Wrangler and an X3

For some people, both are just cars. Most people are not going on any adventures with their Rivians, and the BMW iX3 can accomplish the same things.

 

[rvnxyz001]

I think it is the newness of the market too. You don't see many people comparing a Wrangler and a Rav4 or even a Wrangler and an X3

Well, the Wrangler is a very specialized off-road vehicle. The R2 is a more mainstream SUV, maybe closer to a 4Runner Limited or Platinum. I wouldn’t compare it to a Subaru because the R2 doesn’t have full-time AWD, but it’s less off-road capable than a 4Runner because of its unibody design.

 

[Millbarge]

yeah as I have said many times. I am not sure they should even be compared. The only reason they are compared is because they're EV's and they're being released at similar times. Otherwise they are completely different vehicles targeted somewhat different consumers, and different price points, and I am not sure why Rivian enthusiasts keep trying to to compare them and less so but still vice versa.

and they are similar sized SUVs. they may have very different personalities, but the number of people who truly want in iX3 because of its sporty nature and handling is going to be a small percentage of buyers. a vast majority want an EV of that size and family/K9 hauling capability.

And vice-versa:

For some people, both are just cars. Most people are not going on any adventures with their Rivians, and the BMW iX3 can accomplish the same things.

Lots and lots of Rivian owners will never go off road (not much different than lots of Jeep owners).

 

[Mos Eisley]

I mean, the R2 has like 3 more inches of ground clearance. By comparison, the BMW is basically a car and not an SUV.

This. And that R2 corners as well as it does given height and form… a design miracle at this price.

 

[Husky]

I’m not convinced the ix3 will feel much more premium than the R2. BMW probably gets better pricing on materials because of its scale, but the ix3 still has an expensive EV drivetrain and battery, and it will be imported from Hungary. It also doesn’t cost that much more than the higher R2 trims.

I also don’t think the $54k–$58k R2 should be judged like a car that was designed from the start to cost $58k. Rivian had to engineer the basic vehicle around a roughly $45k starting price, so the more expensive versions are mostly paying for more battery, performance and equipment, not necessarily a much more expensive interior.

The BMW has some of the same cost pressures, plus shipping and import costs, so I wouldn’t automatically expect a huge jump in material quality. It may still feel better put together, quieter and more refined, but the actual cabin materials could be pretty similar.
I also assumed China is one of the main markets BMW had in mind with this design, where fancy screens, ambient lighting and shiny controls seem to matter a lot...

I don't know. I've owned many BMW 's in the last thirty years, but the low miles, one-owner 2024 X3 that I have now has lots of squeaks and creaks, especially all around the dash. The seats are also very uncomfortable. (Unfortunately these are issues that weren't really apparent on a 20 minute test drive.) In contrast, my 2024 Kia EV6, with more miles on it, is solid as a rock and absolutely silent inside, with comfy seats. I'm not at all impressed with modern BMW's. I'd still be interested to test drive an iX3, but I'm skeptical, and I do think it will cost another $10k more.

 

[SCSEV]

Went and looked at the R2 again, but also test drove an R1T. After the test drive, it just confirmed that the R2 is not exactly what I’m looking for at this time. I love how it drIves and how it handles, but it’s just not exactly what I want. Going to stick with the R1 lineup and buy an R1T this time. Will go with the trim motor version, again. I just love how it drives. I can’t stress how much I want the R2 to be a success. I obviously have faith in Rivian if I’m getting a second one. Good luck to all those who complete their reservations and drive one.

 

[Husky]

Ugh. I just got back from my second R2 test drive. I paid more attention to a few concerns some people have mentioned in this forum (including myself, haha). My order window is coming up and I wish I was less concerned and more excited.

* It was a beautiful, dry, sunny 80 degree day in southern NH (in other words, a very cool day for the Southwest), and even with the AC and seat ventilation on high (yes, it's very loud), it was really struggling to make the cabin comfortable - and apparently in Auto mode, it doesn't blow any cold air through the lower vents, so my legs were really too warm the whole time. I would say it took a good 20 minutes or more, and the cabin temp still never reached my 70 degree setting where the AC would dial it back.

I had this same experience on my first test drive. I don't know how anyone test driving this in Dallas or Phoenix or Las Vegas could possibly think this isn't an issue. Maybe this demo car's heat pump isn't up to snuff, but I would say a sun shade is a must-have. The SC rep said there should be one available in the store, when you order the car, but I haven't checked.

* I now see what some taller (6' or more) people have mentioned about the seats. I'm 6' 1" and I noticed how the change in the seat back, from one cushion to another, where the logo is, hits me across my shoulders. The good news (at least for me) was that it fell more into the "slightly annoying" category, rather than "uncomfortable". Still not ideal, but I did forget all about it ten minutes into the drive. I found the seat cushion and back cushion (up to my shoulders) to be very comfortable.

* For me, the sound system was fine, and I didn't even bother digging into the screen menus to find the equalizer. But I'm not happy with the lack of an actual radio, or the ability to play music from my thumb drive. (Yes, I know, put it on your phone, blah-blah.) I tried the I-Heart radio, but couldn't find the station I usually listen to, so that was a bummer.

* The buttons (touch switches? Hard to tell) for the frunk and rear hatch are a bit wonky. They don't feel like actual buttons, but if you don't "touch" them hard enough, or you hold your finger there too long (?) they don't work. Not a big deal and I'm sure you'd learn how to do it correctly very soon, but it seems like it's harder to get them to work than it should be. Why does something so simple need instructions?! It's the kind of thing that would get annoying when trying to tell a passenger or someone not familiar with it how to do it (like opening my EV6 non-popout door handles).

* I noticed that when the frunk lid releases, the latch really makes quite a loud noise. Closing it by hand does require a bit more force than expected.

* I was very pleased that the latest OTA update fixed the turn signal volume. It's fine now.

* I found the acceleration and braking to be perfectly smooth. I'm not sure why some say it isn't. The Regen levels were fine for me. I now see that, although there are three different levels, they will all apparently bring you to a full stop (unlike my EV6, where only the highest level is truly OPD).

* I'm a bit concerned over reliability issues after reading of all the R1 troubles people in this forum have had. I won't be a happy camper if I need to make regular 1.5 hour round trip drives to get things fixed (and wait weeks for parts). I'd like to believe that all that learning on Rivian's part will make the R2 their best vehicle yet, and that may prove to be true (I certainly hope so), but it's also got tons of new designs that may (or may not) have their own new problems. Time will tell. If only I was a patient person....

* I thought the operation of the haptic wheels was fine, but it's hard to remember which motion on which wheel does what. This would take a while - at least for an older person like me, haha. You still have to go to the big screen to open some of the menus before the wheels will work for that function (like mirror and steering wheel adjustment, for example).

If I'm going to get an SUV, rather than a sedan, the cargo storage of the R2 is by far the best in this size class. I love the brand and want them to succeed (plus our son works there), I'm just trying to decide if it's the best choice for me. Hell, I can't even decide on the color, haha. Strangely, the only color they don't have in the sample kit at our SC is the Esker Silver, and the two demo R2's were white and Grey, so I haven't been able to see the silver in person.

Sorry for the long post. Decisions, decisions....

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