4 causes I desire a Rivian R3 as a substitute of the R2

Abstract

Above all, the Rivian R3 looks as if a extra financially sound determination, particularly since I do not want that a lot cargo house.
The R3’s compact dimension is healthier for metropolis and storage parking, whereas additionally maintaining drivers nearer to the street.
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 working. Lots of people are flocking away from Tesla, and Rivian’s R1T and R1S are just about preferrred 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 might nonetheless gladly take into account an R1T if it was a straightforward swing in my price range.

That, after all, is the massive catch with Rivian in 2025. You are spending no less than $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 must be out by 2027.

Personally, if I do get one of many new Rivians, it will nearly 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 had 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 provided any specifics but, however for the hole to be significant, the R3 will in all probability must promote for lower than $40,000. Some predictions have put the value nearer to $35,000, not way more than the most affordable American EVs.

It is simply plain good to attenuate your money owed, and for me, a automotive is generally a means for me to get my household and cargo from A to B.

Even when cash is flowing, I want to be cautious when shopping for a automotive. It is simply plain good to attenuate your money owed, and for me, a automotive is generally a means for me to get my household and cargo from A to B. I am prepared to spend a bit 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 power 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

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Having been inside just a few, I’ve lengthy felt that almost all pickups and SUVs are too huge to be sensible, cargo advantages apart. Sitting increased within the cabin, I really feel disconnected from the street, and so they could make parking a critical problem. Again once I lived in Austin, I used to park on the road or in outside heaps 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 should be masochists.

Bigger pickups and SUVs make me really feel disconnected from the street, and might doubtlessly make parking a critical 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 residence. Right here in Edmonton, it is an absolute should to maintain an EV inside through the winter once you’re not driving. The R2 would in all probability be too huge to slot in my single-car storage, whereas the R3 no less than has a hope of becoming in with a bit room to stroll round.

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

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3

Efficiency will likely be shut sufficient

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

Rivian

Rivian remains 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 may 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 doable that every one trims will break 300 miles — the perfect variations of the R1T and R1S already high 400 (644 kilometers). Rivian would additionally look a bit 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 laborious to think about the R2 being dramatically higher than the R3. It ought to — in concept — have extra room for a bigger battery, however that might be offset by elevated weight. Regardless, I do not want an EV to go a lot previous 300 miles — I may 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 degree. Each the R2 and R3 borrow design cues from the R1 collection — to me, although, the R2 seems a bit an excessive amount of just like the R1S, which in flip seems like a boxy, generic SUV other than its tires and headlights. Notice that I did not say the R2 and R1S are ugly. Quite, 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 offers it a little bit of retro aptitude. The truth is, 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 guess this was deliberate on Rivian’s half. The corporate actually needs to promote us the “journey” side of its automobiles, and outdated hatchbacks actually evoke pictures of 20-somethings hitting the seashore or happening a tenting journey. There is a purpose certainly one of its promo pictures prominently options surfboards jutting out the again — even though most People 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 doable to strip down the Rivian platform any additional.