Rivian R2 and R3 – Mostly Hits, One Miss
By Edward A. Sanchez — March 7, 2024
The Rivian R2 has been teased for a while, and even a few days ahead of the “official” reveal on March 7, 2024, some specs were inadvertently leaked via some clever code sleuthing on Rivian’s website. Taking a page from the Apple playbook, Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe had not just “one more thing” following the R2’s reveal, but one more one more thing in the R3 and the R3X.
Reaction to these reveals has been overwhelmingly positive, and certainly, models and derivatives that will be more accessible to the mainstream car buyer is always a good thing.
The R2 will be a smaller variant of the R1S offered in single, dual, and tri-motor derivatives (as will presumably the R3). The R2 will start at $45,000, making it competitive with the Tesla Model Y, Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Nissan Ariya.
(Above: Rivian’s R2 will be a two-row version of the larger R1S, sporting an equally reduced price.)
Among the clever bells and whistles on the R2 are a retracting rear glass window (although seemingly still a hatch, not a folding tailgate), and folding seats in both first and second rows. Responding to criticism on the R1 models for the lack of a glovebox, the R2 doubles the fun with two.
On the engineering side, the R2 and R3 feature a 4695 battery cell structural pack. Specific capacity was not mentioned, but with a stated range of up to 300+ miles, we’re expecting capacity of more than 90 kWh in top models. Scaringe claimed 0-60 times of “well under” 3 seconds for the tri-motor R2 variants.
In the photos, I saw a horizontal pill-shaped cutout in the fender. Turns out, that’s the charge door to the NACS port, which the R2 and R3 will natively support.
The “one more thing” was the surprise reveal (for most) of the R3 and R3X – smaller, sportier variants of the R2.
(Above: The Rivian R3 offers sporty looks at (hopefully) affordable pricing.)
Depending on your perspective and age, it either looks like a buffer Hyundai Ioniq 5, or modern-day MK1 Volkswagen Golf. Exact pricing wasn’t announced on the R3, but it’s promised to be “less than” the R2.
(Above: The R3X is Rivian’s more rugged take on the R3.)
I have my own “one more thing” with both the R2 and R3. For some, it may be a non-issue. But it was a little puzzling to me that with ostensibly clean-sheet designs, it’s something that wasn’t done: It’s a front cut-down to give easier access to the “frunk,” a la F-150 Lightning.
To be fair, it was more of an issue on the R1 models due to their higher beltline and lift-over. From a cost and engineering standpoint, I’m sure it was easier not to do the front cut-down. It avoids the cost of wiring for the unibrow LED light, as well as having to relocate the heat exchanger and associated hardware. As my crude rendering with the red lines shows, it wouldn’t have changed the overall styling by that much. It would have undoubtedly been a surprise and delight feature. But maybe I’m just yelling in the face of a hurricane of Rivian fanboy praise.
These red lines on the R2 indicate where the author thinks cut-downs on the frunk could be placed. This would increase usability, but perhaps would be something more beneficial on the larger R1 platform vehicles.
Regardless, I’m still intrigued by the R3, and may take a look at it when it’s expected to go on sale around the 2027 timeframe, if the Tesla Model 2 or another model doesn’t get my money in the meantime.
Bottom line: Kudos to Scaringe and Rivian for unveiling compelling new models that will certainly improve Rivian’s volume and popularity.
(Images courtesy Rivian)
