Rivian, one of Tesla’s competitors, has just unveiled not one but three electric cars. After the R2 which is an SUV competing with the Tesla Model Y, here is the R3. A compact crossover coupe. It exists in a very efficient version, the R3X.
Here is Rivian’s new electric car designed for Europe: the R3. A compact coupe car, more crossover than SUV. It is smaller than its big sister, the newly announced R2, and even smaller than the Rivian R1T pickup and the large Rivian R1S SUV.
For the moment, we don’t know much about the technical sheet, except that it will use the R2 platform. The wheelbase is announced at 2.8 meters, which is shorter than the R2 which measures 4.7 meters. For comparison, the new Renault 5 E-Tech electric measures 3.92 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.54 meters. The length of the R3 is then estimated at approximately 4.3 meters.
On the engine side, the R3X will integrate the three engines found on the R2 and which catapult the SUV from 0 to 96 km/h in 3 seconds. It is possible that the autonomy is slightly lower on the R3 and R3X, if the battery is small, due to the wheelbase. As a reminder, the autonomy of the R2 is announced at more than 500 km on the American EPA cycle, or more than 550 km on the European WLTP cycle.
A practical car
We find the practical features of the R2, namely two glove boxes, the rear window which can open independently of the trunk to transport long objects. And a camping mode, which allows the rear passenger seats to be flattened, so that two people can sleep in the cabin, completely lying down.
Price and availability
The R3 and R3X will be available after the R2, which will itself be available from the first half of 2026 in the USA and in 2027 in Europe. We can therefore expect to see the R3 and R3X arrive at the end of 2026, or even in 2027 in the USA, and perhaps 2028 in Europe.
It should be noted that the R2, R3 and R3X are partly designed for Europe. Which explains their much more compact format. But be careful, because these cars will be manufactured in the United States, and Europe will not necessarily be a priority. Deliveries could therefore begin later on the old continent.
The R3s will also be less expensive, knowing that the R2 is announced at 45,000 dollars (excluding taxes), or around 50,000 euros including tax.
Photos of the Rivian R3 and R3X
Here are the first official photos of the R3 in “civilized” version.
And here, the photos of the R3X, the high performance, rally-style version. It uses the same platform as the R3, but is distinguished by a more aggressive design and differentiating elements in the cabin.