Exciting news! Rivian is not only introducing the new R2 SUV but also unveiling a brand-new car: the Rivian R3. Set to be the company’s most affordable and compact vehicle, the R3 is generating a lot of buzz. Although its release is still a ways off, it promises to be an exciting addition to Rivian’s lineup, potentially competing with models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model 3.
Interested in the Rivian R3 and the sportier R3X? Here’s what we know so far.
First off, while the Rivian R2 bears a strong resemblance to the R1S, the R3 has some distinct design features that set it apart. It remains unmistakably a Rivian, but its smaller size allows for unique design elements. The R3 is less boxy than the R2, featuring a hatchback design with a sloping rear and a small spoiler extending from the roofline. One standout feature is the rear gate window, which can lift up, allowing easy loading of items through the window—handy for transporting longer objects.
The car retains signature Rivian design traits, like the oval headlights at the front and a long light bar at the back, though the light bar doesn’t extend to the sides as it does on the R2.
The R3X version ramps up the sporty vibe, showcasing a vibrant teal paint job with orange highlights during its launch event. Designed as a rally car variant of the R3, the R3X includes various design tweaks for a more aggressive appearance.
Inside, the R3 offers interesting design choices. Unlike the R1S or R1T, it features two glove boxes for front storage and a sizable display upfront for infotainment. A large glass roof gives the interior a more spacious feel. The door even has room for a large water bottle and contains Rivian’s signature flashlight.
The R3X keeps the same basic interior layout but includes sportier seats and a more colorful design.
As for tech, we expect the R3’s infotainment system to be on par with Rivian’s other vehicles. That means a well-designed system but no support for CarPlay or Android Auto.
We don’t yet know what driver-assist technology will be included in the R3. The R2 can drive itself on highways without the driver needing to watch the road, but it’s unclear if the R3 will offer similar features.
Regarding performance, Rivian has revealed that the R3 will come with three powertrain options: single-motor rear-wheel drive, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and tri-motor all-wheel drive, with the R3X exclusively available with the tri-motor setup. The car is expected to be fast, particularly in its more powerful versions. Rivian is marketing the R3X as a performance car, so it will need to compete with some speedy EVs in the market.
The range is still a mystery since the R3 will have a smaller battery than the R2. However, Rivian has a history of providing decent range, so we expect the base models to cover around 300 miles. Charging speed should be pretty good as well, with the car featuring a North American Charging Standard port to use Tesla Superchargers, potentially charging to 80% in under 30 minutes.
Pricing details for the R3 are still under wraps, but we know it will be priced lower than the R2, which starts at under $45,000. We hope the R3 might start around the $35,000 mark, with the R3X likely costing more.
The R3 is expected to launch soon after the R2, which is scheduled for the first half of 2026. This means we might see the R3 in 2027 at the earliest, with the R3X possibly taking longer to release. The car will be produced in the U.S., but whether it will qualify for the full federal EV tax credit remains uncertain.
Our hopes are that the R3 will have a range of at least 300 miles, even in its lower-cost models, with higher-range models reaching closer to 350 miles. On the pricing front, while an entry point of $20,000 would be ideal, a more realistic expectation is around $35,000 for the base model. The R3X, being a more high-performance vehicle, may be priced around $45,000, similar to the R2. Of course, all of this is speculative—only time will tell the exact details.