Unfortunately, the world will have to wait until after 2026 before the smallest of all Rivian models hits the market
by Brad Anderson
10 hours ago
The Rivian R1T and R1S have captured the imaginations of EV enthusiasts since their respective launches, but for the vast majority of people, they’re simply too pricey. they are far too expensive. That’s where the smaller and more affordable Rivian R2 and R3 models come into the equation, as they’re designed to appeal to a broader audience.
Rivian revealed its upcoming models at an event last week in California. While both remain in the prototype stage, it took a handful of them onto the street, providing us with our first opportunity to see what they look like in public. Videos have appeared on numerous social media channels as well as on dedicated sites such as Rivianforums where one of its users caught it on Laguna Beach. Out of the two, it appears to be the smaller R3 and R3X models that are generating most of the buzz on social media.
Read: New Rivian R3 And R3X Promise To Combine Affordability With 300+ Mile Range
Source Rivianforums
The company has said that the R3 and R3X will launch after the R2, which is set to hit the market in 2026, meaning we probably have at least 3 years to wait before we see R3s landing in the driveways of customers. While that’s a long time to wait, we think the retro-themed design that looks a little like a modern Lada Niva or Lancia Delta will continue to look fun and fresh for many years to come.
Plenty of comparisons have been drawn between the Rivian R3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and for good reason, as both boast boxy, modern designs infused with retro-futuristic styling cues paying homage to the 1980s. However, while they are both high-riding hatchbacks rather than conventional crossovers or SUVs, the R3 stands out for its notably smaller size compared to the Ioniq 5.
Shoppers will eventually be able to order the R3 with single-, dual-, and tri-motor powertrains with the flagship setup propelling it to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than three seconds. Two battery packs will be offered, including one offering more than 300 miles (483 km) of range.
The R2 has also been filmed out and about on public roads. It is much similar in size and shape to the larger R1S than the compact R3 and shoppers are already eager to get their hands on it. In fact, Rivian founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe recently revealed the firm received over 68,000 reservations for the R2 SUV less than 24 hours after its unveiling.