The Rivian R2 electric SUV won’t be the least expensive model in the startup automaker’s lineup.
On Thursday, CEO RJ Scaringe surprised everyone at the R2 debut with the R3 and performance variant R3X hatchbacks. When they eventually arrive after the R2, which won’t arrive until the first half of 2026, the R3 will cost less than its sibling, which starts at $45,000.
Rivian R3
The R3 lineup will share the R2’s single, dual, and tri-motor powertrains along with the electric SUV’s structure and battery pack. That battery pack will be structural and feature 4695-style cells.
Rivian said the R3 will charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes and come standard with Tesla’s NACS charge port. The R3 will be able to interface with CCS fast chargers via an adapter. Unlike the larger R1 lineup, the R3 like the R2 features its charge port on the passenger-side rear fender.
Rivian R3
Sitting about 5.0 inches shorter than the pint-size R2, the R3 looks like a squattier hot-hatch ready to hit the gravel trails. Signature Rivian lighting sits up front with the horizontal lightbar and vertical headlights, but in back things take a turn. The sloping roofline leads to a VW Golf-like hatchback with a party trick. The rear glass flips up independently from the hatch as a feature Rivian dubs the Flipper Glass. It enables longer items like surfboards to be hauled in the hatchback.
Like the R2, the interior of the R3 features a digital gauge cluster, large touchscreen, and first and second row seats that fold completely flat. There are also two gloveboxes and a hidden storage drawer inside the cab. A front trunk features secure storage.
The R2 will enter production in early 2026 in Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant where the R1T and R1S are built. Eventually production of the R2 will move to the automaker’s new plant set to be constructed in Stanton Springs, Georgia. It’s unclear when the R3 will enter production and where it will be built, though eventually it will be built alongside its sibling, the R2.
