4 causes I need a Rivian R3 as a substitute 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 house.
The R3’s compact dimension is best for metropolis and storage parking, whereas additionally retaining 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 actually within the operating. Lots of people are flocking away from Tesla, and Rivian’s R1T and R1S are just about ideally suited in order for you American-made options to the Cybertruck and Mannequin X. Heck, whereas I keep away from pickup vehicles as a rule, I might nonetheless gladly contemplate an R1T if it was a simple swing in my funds.

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 common American can afford. The corporate is aiming to carry costs again all the way down to Earth with the R2, due in 2026, and the R3, which must be out by 2027.

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

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1

The pricing is extra cheap

A perennial problem of EVs

Rivian

You have been in all probability anticipating this level, however it’s nonetheless price making. The R2 must 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 in all probability need to promote for lower than $40,000. Some predictions have put the worth nearer to $35,000, not rather more than the most affordable American EVs.

It is simply plain good to attenuate 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 choose to be cautious when shopping for a automotive. It is simply plain good to attenuate 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 slightly 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 house of the R2, and I actually 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 all the time higher

Rivian

Having been inside just a few, I’ve lengthy felt that the majority pickups and SUVs are too massive 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 outside tons for some live shows — and I had a hell of a time doing that with a Honda Match or Nissan Leaf generally, by no means thoughts selecting a mid-sized SUV. Cadillac Escalade house owners have to be masochists.

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

Being a compact crossover, the R3 is significantly 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 in the course of the winter whenever you’re not driving. The R2 would in all probability be too massive to slot in my single-car storage, whereas the R3 at the least has a hope of becoming in with slightly room to stroll round.

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

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3

Efficiency will probably be shut sufficient

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

Rivian

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

From a efficiency perspective, it is exhausting 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 am going to 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 would 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 slightly an excessive amount of just like the R1S, which in flip seems like a boxy, generic SUV aside from its tires and headlights. Be aware that I did not say the R2 and R1S are ugly. Reasonably, there’s simply nothing to get enthusiastic about on the surface that you simply could not get from rival SUV makers.

I might prefer to see Rivian push its design additional, however that is in all probability going to have to attend for an R3 Gen 2, or possibly an R4.

The R3’s sloped rear hatch provides 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 am going to wager this was deliberate on Rivian’s half. The corporate actually needs to promote us the “journey” side of its automobiles, and previous hatchbacks actually evoke photos of 20-somethings hitting the seashore or occurring a tenting journey. There is a cause one among its promo photos prominently options surfboards jutting out the again — even if most Individuals reside nowhere close to a surfable tide.

I might prefer to see Rivian push its design additional, however that is in all probability going to have to attend for an R3 Gen 2, or possibly an R4 — assuming it is potential to strip down the Rivian platform any additional.