Alongside the new Rivian R2 SUV, Rivian additionally introduced an all-new automobile — one which’s set to be its least expensive and smallest car. The Rivian R3 gained’t be launched for a while, but it surely might be Rivian’s most enjoyable EV and a competitor of the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model 3.
Curious in regards to the Rivian R3 or the sportier R3X and whether or not or not it is likely to be your subsequent automobile? Here’s all the things we all know to this point.
Rivian R3 design
While the Rivian R2 seems to be very very similar to the Rivian R1s, the R3 has a number of distinguished design variations. That’s to not say it doesn’t look associated — quite the opposite, it’s clearly a Rivian. However, as Rivian’s smallest automobile to this point, it reveals off a collection of design components that we haven’t but seen from the corporate.
The R3, for instance, continues to be fairly boxy, however a lot much less so than the R2. It has a hatchback design, with a sloping rear and a small spoiler that follows alongside from the roofline of the automobile. Unlike many different automobiles, the R3 has a rear gate window that may carry up, permitting drivers to load objects into the automobile by way of the window and retailer extra-long objects.
Of course, the automobile borrows loads of design traits from earlier Rivian automobiles. It nonetheless has oval headlights on the entrance and an extended gentle bar alongside the again—although that gentle bar doesn’t lengthen to the edges prefer it does on the R2.
The R3X is a sportier model of the R3 and has a collection of design tweaks in comparison with the usual R3. Notably, the R3X Rivian confirmed off at its launch occasion had a teal paint job with orange highlights — a fairly neat look. In common, the R3X is designed to be a rally automobile variant of the R3.
Rivian R3 inside and tech
There are some fascinating inside design selections, too. For instance, in contrast to the R1S or R1T, the R3 has two glove bins for entrance storage and a big show towards the entrance for infotainment. There’s additionally a big glass roof that helps make the automobile really feel greater on the within. The automobile door has room for a big water bottle, and additionally it is the place Rivian’s signature flashlight could be discovered.
The R3X has the identical total inside design as the usual R3 however with sportier-looking seats and a extra colourful look.
We anticipate the R3’s infotainment expertise to be the identical as that of Rivian’s different automobiles. That is, it’ll have a fairly well-designed infotainment system, however no help for CarPlay or Android Auto.
It’s unclear what sort of driver-assist tech the R3 will provide. In asserting the R2, Rivian touted the brand new automobile’s capacity to drive itself on the freeway — with out the motive force even having to look at the street. It’s unclear if the R3 will provide comparable options.
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Rivian R3 efficiency
There’s nonetheless quite a bit we don’t know in regards to the Rivian R3, and efficiency is a type of issues. We do know that the R3 will are available three powertrains, together with single-motor rear-wheel drive, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and tri-motor all-wheel drive, with the R3X solely coming within the latter configuration.
We anticipate the automobile to be fast, particularly the extra highly effective variants. Rivian is clearly touting the R3X as a efficiency automobile, and given how briskly the competitors is within the EV house, Rivian has its work lower out for it.
Rivian R3 vary and charging
Range is one other factor we don’t but know in regards to the Rivian R3. The automobile is constructed on the identical platform because the R2, however it’ll have a smaller battery. Rivian has a monitor document of guaranteeing its automobiles provide a good vary, so we anticipate that even the bottom fashions can have a spread of round 300 miles.
The charging pace must be first rate, too. The automobile will provide a North American Charging Standard port that enables it to natively charge at a Tesla Supercharger, and it ought to have the ability to cost to 80% in beneath half-hour. Exact figures have but to be introduced.
Rivian R3 value and launch date
We don’t know precise pricing of the Rivian R3, nevertheless, we do know that it will likely be “cheaper” than the R2. That’s excellent news — it implies that it’ll begin at decrease than $45,000, which is already not a foul value level for a contemporary EV. Hopefully, it’ll push down into the $35,000 territory as its beginning value, although anticipate the R3X to price extra.
The R3 is slated for launch “soon after” the R2, which can ship to prospects within the first half of 2026, in line with Rivian. We’re not anticipating the automobile to launch in 2026 in any respect — so anticipate it in 2027 on the very earliest. We do know, nevertheless, that the sporty R3X will launch earlier than the usual R3, as Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed in an interview with The Verge‘s Nilay Patel.
Rivian R3 tax credit score standing
The Rivian R3 will probably be constructed within the U.S., however given the quick tempo of the federal EV tax credit score, it’s unattainable to foretell if the automobile will qualify for all or a number of the EV tax credit score. Rivian has stated that the R2 will qualify for the total $7,500 tax credit score, however that’s a little bit arduous to foretell.
Our Rivian R3 want record
We hope the Rivian R3 will provide a spread of a minimum of 300 miles, even in its least expensive and strongest variants. Typically, EVs provide a lower-range base mannequin and a lower-range efficiency mannequin. Hopefully, the highest-range fashions will probably be nearer to 350 miles.
We’re additionally hoping that the automobile will push the boundaries of pricing a little bit. Of course, it’s simple to say that we’d just like the automobile to be priced at $20,000 — however that gained’t occur. A sensible hope is one thing within the $35,000 value vary, a minimum of for the bottom mannequin. As far because the R3X goes, it’s extra highly effective and a bit extra focused at fanatics, so it’s affordable to anticipate the R3X to come back in at round $45,000 or so — the identical because the R2. All of that is hypothesis, although — we’ll have to attend and see how a lot the R3 prices.