4 causes I desire a Rivian R3 as an alternative of the R2

Abstract

Above all, the Rivian R3 looks as if a extra financially sound resolution, particularly since I do not want that a lot cargo area.
The R3’s compact measurement is best for metropolis and storage parking, whereas additionally preserving drivers nearer to the highway.
Its model feels rather less generic to me, although different opinions are legitimate.

If Rivian is not the electric car maker du jour, it is definitely within the working. Lots of people are flocking away from Tesla, and Rivian’s R1T and R1S are just about excellent if you’d like American-made alternate options to the Cybertruck and Mannequin X. Heck, whereas I keep away from pickup vehicles as a rule, I would nonetheless gladly contemplate an R1T if it was a simple swing in my price range.

That, after all, is the massive catch with Rivian in 2025. You are taking a look at spending at the least $71,700 on an R1T, and much more on an R1S — far more than the typical American can afford. The corporate is aiming to convey costs again all the way down to Earth with the R2, due in 2026, and the R3, which ought to be out by 2027.

Personally, if I do get one of many new Rivians, it will virtually definitely be the R3. That is regardless of the R2 nominally being the higher car on paper, as I will clarify.

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1

The pricing is extra affordable

A perennial problem of EVs

Rivian

You have been most likely anticipating this level, however it’s nonetheless price making. The R2 ought to be comparatively reasonably priced for an electrical SUV at $45,000 — however the R3 is slated to be even cheaper. How a lot? Rivian hasn’t supplied any specifics but, however for the hole to be significant, the R3 will most likely must promote for lower than $40,000. Some predictions have put the value nearer to $35,000, not far more than the most affordable American EVs.

It is simply plain good to reduce your money owed, and for me, a automotive is usually a method for me to get my household and cargo from A to B.

Even when cash is flowing, I desire to be cautious when shopping for a automotive. It is simply plain good to reduce your money owed, and for me, a automotive is usually a method for me to get my household and cargo from A to B. I am prepared to spend a bit of extra on applied sciences like an all-electric drivetrain, but when I can get away with the bottom model of that, I’ll. I do not want the cargo area of the R2, and I definitely do not want the flexibility to fold down the entrance seats for a sleepover.

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2

A compact crossover fits me

Greater is not at all times higher

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Having been inside just a few, I’ve lengthy felt that almost all pickups and SUVs are too large to be sensible, cargo advantages apart. Sitting increased within the cabin, I really feel disconnected from the highway, and so they could make parking a severe problem. Again once I lived in Austin, I used to park on the road or in out of doors heaps for some concert events — and I had a hell of a time doing that with a Honda Match or Nissan Leaf typically, by no means thoughts selecting a mid-sized SUV. Cadillac Escalade homeowners have to be masochists.

Bigger pickups and SUVs make me really feel disconnected from the highway, and might probably make parking a severe problem.

Being a compact crossover, the R3 is a lot better suited to my way of life than the R2. That features taking good care of it at house. Right here in Edmonton, it is an absolute should to maintain an EV inside through the winter if you’re not driving. The R2 would most likely be too large to slot in my single-car storage, whereas the R3 at the least has a hope of becoming in with a bit of room to stroll round.

Front quarter view of the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid.

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3

Efficiency can be shut sufficient

Not making an attempt to do a coast-to-coast run, right here

Rivian

Rivian remains to be being cagey on closing specs, for apparent causes, however each the R2 and R3 are slated to be accessible in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations. You may additionally have the ability to high 300 miles (483 kilomters) of vary with higher battery configurations. By the point they’re able to roll, it is potential that each one trims will break 300 miles — the very best variations of the R1T and R1S already high 400 (644 kilometers). Rivian would additionally look a bit of weak if it could not beat the Chevy Equinox EV, which will get 319 miles regardless of beginning beneath $34,000.

From a efficiency perspective, it is arduous to think about the R2 being dramatically higher than the R3. It ought to — in principle — have extra room for a bigger battery, however that may very well be offset by elevated weight. Regardless, I do not want an EV to go a lot previous 300 miles — I might make it from Edmonton to Calgary in January with cost to spare.

I will fear about hitting 400 miles once I’m loopy sufficient to drive all the way back to Texas.

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4

The R3 is definitely extra trendy

Cash does not purchase you style

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That is extraordinarily subjective, however I do discover the R3 extra interesting on an aesthetic stage. Each the R2 and R3 borrow design cues from the R1 collection — to me, although, the R2 seems a bit of an excessive amount of just like the R1S, which in flip seems like a boxy, generic SUV aside from its tires and headlights. Word that I did not say the R2 and R1S are ugly. Reasonably, there’s simply nothing to get enthusiastic about on the skin that you simply could not get from rival SUV makers.

I would prefer to see Rivian push its design additional, however that is most likely going to have to attend for an R3 Gen 2, or perhaps an R4.

The R3’s sloped rear hatch offers it a little bit of retro aptitude. In truth, it jogs my memory a little bit of the Plymouth Horizon my mother and father owned once I was child, and I will wager this was deliberate on Rivian’s half. The corporate actually needs to promote us the “journey” facet of its autos, and previous hatchbacks definitely evoke pictures of 20-somethings hitting the seashore or happening a tenting journey. There is a cause one in every of its promo pictures prominently options surfboards jutting out the again — even supposing most People stay nowhere close to a surfable tide.

I would prefer to see Rivian push its design additional, however that is most likely going to have to attend for an R3 Gen 2, or perhaps an R4 — assuming it is potential to strip down the Rivian platform any additional.