When Rivian first revealed its R2 electric SUV on March 7, 2024, it also unveiled the R3 and R3X — two models that were in the works and due out sometime after the R2 was launched. The R3 is a five-door SUV that is expected to be the least expensive model Rivian offers. The R3X variant will target those who want a performance or off-road capable vehicle. The R2 is in production, which means the company can now take the next step in its quest to become a viable mass market manufacturer. In an interview with The Drive last week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed that his company still plans to put the sporty compact SUV into production — probably before the end of the decade. Prices for the new models have not been announced, but Rivian claims the R3 will start at less than the R2’s starting price of around $45,000. Car and Driver this week estimated the price of the R3 at between $37,000 and $47,000. The R3 and R3X will likely be built at the company’s new manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, which is expected to be completed in 2028. That factory is being funded in part by the billions of dollars Volkswagen is investing in the company to help it create a glitch-free software platform for its electric cars. There are reports that the Rivian-developed zonal architecture may be made available to other manufacturers. Rivian has yet to reveal any specifications for the R3 or R3X, but has said they will be built on the same platform as the R2. Two battery sizes will be available, with the larger battery providing an EPA-estimated range of more than 300 miles. It will incorporate the NACS charging system that can interface seamlessly with Tesla Superchargers. The company suggests that when using a high-power Level 3 charger, the R3 will be capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent battery capacity in fewer than 30 minutes. Three Seconds, No Waiting Rivian R3 Rivian has said the R3 and R3X will be available in a single- or dual-motor configuration, as well as a three-motor variant that can hustle the cars from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. Not the fastest electric car in the world, but pretty damn quick for the price. The tri-motor versions of the R1S and R1T are rated at 850 hp and 1,103 ft lb of torque. There is no guarantee the performance version of the R3X will have similar specs, but it is tantalizing to think of a backroad blaster having that sort of street cred. The R3X will be the high-performance version of the new model and will be available before the standard version. It will feature more ground clearance and may offer an off-road suspension package for those who want to bash some backroads in the boonies. It will feature different wheels and bumpers as well as unique two-tone accents both inside and out. Styling Inspiration Rivian’s chief design officer, Jeff Hammoud, told The Drive the angular hatchback design of the R3 and R3X was inspired by Group B rally cars of the 1980s — particularly the Audi Quattro and Lancia Delta Integrale. While that may be true, readers may see a remarkable resemblance to the Plymouth Horizon/Dodge Omni twins that helped introduce America to front-wheel-drive cars. 1986 Plymouth Horizon. Credit: Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 Senior editor and exalted Grand Pooh-bah Zachary Shahan wrote earlier this year that the shenanigans by Musk and the alleged president may have unwittingly created space for Rivian to be successful. “Elon Musk’s political extremism has pushed countless people away from Tesla. Numerous Tesla owners will not buy another one, and many people who would have been open to buying a Tesla no longer are. What that means is there are a lot of people keen on buying a nice EV from an EV-only company, and the Illinois-based brand will get their business,” Zachary said. “Together, Elon Musk and Donald Trump also essentially ended US fuel economy standards, shut down the federal EV tax credit, and told automakers to pack up their EV business and go back to ICEs. Ford just announced a $19.5 billion EV write-off and an extreme shift in its EV products and plans. Other legacy automakers are doing similar things. “What that means, though, is that people in the market for an electric vehicle are going to have fewer options, pushing more of them into the lap of Rivian. Due to Tesla and legacy automakers ceding market position, Rivian can find more buyers, scale up, and, potentially, get to net profitability.” A three-second, tri-motor, performance electric hot hatch for $45,000? Where do we sign up?
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