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

[r2fb]

ix3 is more impressive from a quality and tech standpoint except for it OS, but you have to look at it.

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[Husky]

Similarly equipped the IX3 is $10,000+ more. Better range and slightly faster DC charging is the main advantage of the BMW. BMW has upped its UI but I suspect it’s still inferior to the Rivian. The R2 is far more versatile for light off-roading and notably can be ordered with a compact spare but has significantly less range. Chassis build quality on the Rivian trails BMW.

I purchased an R2 to replace a BMW IX50 coming off lease. BMW has better build quality but my BMW has spent 11 weeks in the shop during the last three years. I’m hoping the Rivian is better. The ix3 is still using a brush motor in the rear. Unlike Rivian which warranties its drivetrain including the motors and inverters for 8 years or 120,000 miles, BMW only warranties its motors and drivetrain for 4 years or 50,000 miles…. That is a huge advantage to Rivian.

Wow, a brushed motor!? At first I thought you must be mistaken, but after some digging, confirmed that it is indeed a brushed rear motor. I imagine it's evolved a bit from the conventional brushed motors that have been around forever, but I really couldn't find any technical details on it. Apparently the primary benefits are avoiding the need for rare earth magnets, and supposedly efficiency (the ability to coast without a clutch). Crazy. I wonder why they didn't go all-in and use a brushed motor front and rear?
I was/am also curious about the warranty on their motors/drivetrain. Car & Driver says 8 years or 100k miles on "Electric Component". One could argue that that includes the motors, but you could also argue they are Power Train, which is as you said, 4 years or 50k miles. That would be pretty lame. (The motor brushes are probably designed to last 55k miles )

 

[windshieldfarmer]

Wow, a brushed motor!? At first I thought you must be mistaken, but after some digging, confirmed that it is indeed a brushed rear motor. I imagine it's evolved a bit from the conventional brushed motors that have been around forever, but I really couldn't find any technical details on it. Apparently the primary benefits are avoiding the need for rare earth magnets, and supposedly efficiency (the ability to coast without a clutch). Crazy. I wonder why they didn't go all-in and use a brushed motor front and rear?
I was/am also curious about the warranty on their motors/drivetrain. Car & Driver says 8 years or 100k miles on "Electric Component". One could argue that that includes the motors, but you could also argue they are Power Train, which is as you said, 4 years or 50k miles. That would be pretty lame. (The motor brushes are probably designed to last 55k miles )

I did some warranty research because I was thinking about buying out the lease on my IX50. The BMW propulsion motors are clearly not covered after 4/years 50,000 miles (C&Dis wrong - only the battery is covered) and my service advisor questioned whether motor debris from the brushes would be covered by an extended warranty since such debris might be considered a wear item…a very expensive and a difficult to anticipate wear item. BMW’s extended warranties are silent on this issue…leaving BMW to interpret coverage. No thank you.

 

[Apprunner]

Besides charging and range performance, the R2 is much much much faster than the iX3. Also, why doesnt the iX3 have ventilated seats? Weird.

 

[savethemanual]

Besides charging and range performance, the R2 is much much much faster than the iX3. Also, why doesnt the iX3 have ventilated seats? Weird.

R2 Premium non performance is a better comparison. Or the performance version of the iX3 (whatever they are going to call that) to the R2 performance.

 

[DuoRivian]

Besides charging and range performance, the R2 is much much much faster than the iX3. Also, why doesnt the iX3 have ventilated seats? Weird.

Efficiency and quality as well

 

[Apprunner]

R2 Premium non performance is a better comparison. Or the performance version of the iX3 (whatever they are going to call that) to the R2 performance.

You mean the M version? Probably start in the 6 figure range

Also, there is probably a bigger than $10k gap between the non-performance premium AWD version and a comparable iX3. Really different classes of vehicle. iX3 isn't really an SUV...its tall car/crossover at best

 

[Apprunner]

Efficiency and quality as well

Of course. Rivian quality is nowhere near BMW for sure.

 

[NCBob]

iX3 Reviews List: https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2218993

The first reviews for the 2026 BMW iX3 are in and they're impressive. Hoping the R2 can garner this much praise in its first drive reviews.

The iX3 is really tempting, especially since the BMW dealer is about a mile away and the Rivian SC is about an hour's drive away. But the extra space in the R2, especially 2nd row leg room, is hard to pass up. My reservation number hasn't come up yet so I haven't had to commit. It'll be a tough choice!

 

[savethemanual]

You mean the M version? Probably start in the 6 figure range

Also, there is probably a bigger than $10k gap between the non-performance premium AWD version and a comparable iX3. Really different classes of vehicle. iX3 isn't really an SUV...its tall car/crossover at best

Not the full blown M car version but one that slots in between iX3 50 and full M.

 

[Apprunner]

Not the full blown M car version but one that slots in between iX3 50 and full M.

I'll believe it when i see it. The one that slots in between the regular and M versions aren't all that quick. The R2 trap is actually about the same as the current M3 which is pretty fast. Of course, Rivian is bringing out the R2X which is probably a better comparison to a full M version.

 

[TexasBob]

Not iX3 but worth posting anyway. State of Charge got 385 miles on the 70mph range test of the new CLA Mercedes. For a vehicle that is EPA rated at 312, that is not too shabby.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Very good indeed but it was the most ideal conditions one could imagine. Low 70s temp, no wind, and flat. I’d still like to see R2 test in that same environment. *Obviously won’t be anywhere near as good*

 

[mellowthecat]

Not iX3 but worth posting anyway. State of Charge got 385 miles on the 70mph range test of the new CLA Mercedes. For a vehicle that is EPA rated at 312, that is not too shabby.

Does the CLA have a 2 speed gearbox like the GLC? If reliable, could be the future on squeezing extra highway range out batteries

edit: answered my own question. Google says it does. I love what Mercedes is doing

 

[savethemanual]

Not iX3 but worth posting anyway. State of Charge got 385 miles on the 70mph range test of the new CLA Mercedes. For a vehicle that is EPA rated at 312, that is not too shabby.

This is consistent with the overall approach of conservative EPA numbers from most German manufacturers, Love that!

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