Electric vehicle startup Rivian Motors has revealed its third passenger vehicle model, an SUV called the Rivian R2 – as well as two surprise new models, the more crossover-sized R3 and off-road focused R3X.
The new R2 SUV will start at an “estimated” $45,000, according to Rivian. That price point undercuts the two previous Rivian models by almost 50% and targets the growing number of more affordable electric cars entering the marketplace, including from electric car maker Tesla and legacy brands. Options will increase the price, of course. According to the company, the R2 is slated for production in 2026.
No pricing, specifications, or production timetable were detailed for the surprise R3 and R3X models, although Rivian’s CEO, Robert “RJ” Scaringe, who hosted the reveal, said the R3 and R3X were essentially based on the same basic platform as the R2 and are also 5-door format. Scaringe did say the R3 is five inches shorter than the R2. It’s likely they will be less expensive than the base R2, but again, no pricing has been announced. Rivian is now taking $100 deposits on the R2.
Rivian R2 (and R3 and R3X) Tech
Features of the new R2 model include options for a single 2WD version, plus AWD dual or triple-electric motor powertrains and up to 330 miles of range on the base battery pack. Rumor has it that the R2 can do 0-60 in three seconds with the tri-motor setup, putting it on par with many high-powered sports cars that cost far more, but Scaringe did not confirm this during the presentation. No exact horsepower, torque figures, or battery pack sizes for any of the new cars were specified at the reveal or on Rivian’s website. However, Scaringe did say that all models would have “at least” 300 miles of range, and much of the video footage of the vehicles was of off-pavement driving, including some very aggressive drifting of the R3 on a dirt road.
The base configuration of the R2 will seat five with a generous cargo area behind the seats – and under the hood since there is no gas engine in the car. In fact, Rivian says the front trunk area has been specifically designed to be more spacious and useful. Here are some images from the R2 reveal event:
Once in production, initial information from the typically reliable Electrek.com website listed the R2 as 186 inches in length, 75 inches wide – or 85 with mirrors deployed – and 66.9 inches tall. Ground clearance and approach/departure angles were not specified. Wheel size options were not specified. Electrek said they got their information from the source page code on Rivian’s website, which was later removed.
Rivian says the R2 will be able to charge at both “non-Tesla” J1772 Level 2 and CCS DC Level 3 high-voltage chargers, as well as Tesla’s NACS terminals, which are fast becoming the industry standard in the U.S. and the EU. Scaringe also announced the Rivian Adventure Network of chargers but also noted that the cars would be compliant with Tesla’s chargers. Scaringe said 90% of EV owners charge at home due to the lack of chargers, but public chargers are still important to implement.
Rivian R2 Style and Special Overlanding Features
Styling for the R2 seems a bit influenced by older, boxy Range Rovers, but it retains Rivian’s signature oval headlight nacelles and width-spanning LED horizon lighting front and rear. Interior highlights include the ability to fold ALL of the seats flat, specifically for car camping, Scaringe said in the presentation. Scaringe got a laugh from the crowd when he showed the R2 included two glove boxes. The original Rivian R1T and S models have come in for criticism for not having the legacy storage cubbies.
Noted special features include a powered rear glass window that allows for simplified access to the rear cargo area, while the R3 has both a liftback and a powered liftable rear window that can then “close” and lock to a preset position to accommodate surfboards, SUPs, and other oversize cargo.
It was also clear that Scaringe has overlanding in mind for all of the new vehicles, and said an integrated rooftop tent and rear-mounted kitchen module that runs off the cars’ battery pack is in the works. A slide briefly showed a rooftop tent on the R2. He also said the R2 fold-down seats were designed to allow for an in-car sleeping mattress above the wheel well level.
Scaringe also talked a fair bit about the ability to carry bicycles on the R3, including showing one slide with multiple bikes on both a rear carrier and several more on rooftop holders. While no specific bike racks were mentioned, there is a rumor that Rivian will offer a tool-less quick-mount bike rack that attaches to the back of the R2 but folds up to store quickly in the front trunk. None of the vehicles were shown with a roof rack of any sort, but they will likely be an option.
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R3 and R3X Get Surprise Reveals
Scaringe and Rivian pulled an unexpected surprise by revealing the smaller R3, which is clearly along in development. He briefly mentioned it being a “one more thing” moment in the spirit of the late Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs’s talent for springing a surprise announcement at the end of his presentations by saying, “There’s just one more thing.” Scaringe then followed up the R3 surprise reveal with the R3X, a clearly more off-road capable variant of the R3 with more ground clearance, aggressive tires, tow hooks, and what appears to be a utilitarian interior.
Again, no specific performance or other specifications for the R3 models were released, but the R3 does have a faint whiff of Subaru Crosstrek to it and will likely be targeted at that demographic in terms of price and performance.
Rivian currently produces the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. Both are all-electric or “battery electric vehicles,” or “BEVs,” as industry insiders call them. Rivian does not produce any hybrid or gas-powered vehicles.
The company also makes the quiet electric Amazon delivery vans that seem to be everywhere. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest people on Earth, is a large investor in Rivian, with a reported 20% stake and at least 100,000 of the delivery vans on order, according to numerous industry sources.
Overland Expo will update readers about the Rivian R2 and R3 as we receive information from the company.
