Rivian Is Planning Cheaper EVs, With the R4 Potentially Around $30,000MotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaFri, September 25, 2026 at 12:37 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleRivian is preparing to move beyond its relatively expensive R1T pickup and R1S SUV with a future lineup aimed at making its electric vehicles more accessible. The company's upcoming R3 and R4 models are expected to cost substantially less than its existing vehicles, potentially pushing Rivian into lower-priced segments of the EV market.Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed in an interview with The New York Times, as quoted by CarBuzz, that the R3 will be positioned below the R2 in price. The R2 itself is scheduled to start at $44,990 for its base version when deliveries begin next summer. According to Scaringe, the R3 will be "materially lower" in price, while a less expensive R4 is planned afterward.The R3 is expected to take the form of a raised hatchback and will also be offered in a more rugged R3X configuration. Based on the estimate mentioned in the report, the R3 could start at roughly $35,000, putting it close to the current price of the Tesla Model 3.Image Credit: RivianAdvertisementAdvertisementThe R4 could go even further downmarket. If Rivian maintains a lower price for each successive model, the R4 could potentially arrive at around $30,000 or below. However, Rivian has not announced official pricing for either vehicle, and the company has yet to provide a firm launch schedule for the R4.Production plans offer some indication of the timeline. Rivian's facility being built in Stanton Springs, Georgia, is expected to begin producing the R2 around late 2028, with R3 production potentially following in 2029. The R2 currently being delivered is produced at Rivian's Normal, Illinois, factory alongside the R1 models. As a result, the R4 and any further models could arrive sometime in the next decade.Rivian may be able to lower prices by applying lessons learned from developing the R2. The company says its redesigned electrical architecture and simplified manufacturing process cut bill-of-material costs by 50% compared with the R1.The R3 will use the same Midsize Platform as the R2, while the R4 is expected to adopt a new Affordable Mass Market Platform outlined by Rivian in a 2024 investor presentation. Rivian has also previously discussed possible R5 and R6 models, although their positions within the lineup remain unclear.R2Image Credit: Rivian
