All-electric vehicle startup Rivian recently unveiled its third passenger vehicle, the 2026 Rivian R2, set to slot in under the R1T pickup and R1S SUV as the company’s smaller, more-affordable utility model. Alongside the new R2, Rivian also unveiled two surprise models, the Rivian R3 and Rivian R3X, both likely arriving for the 2027 model year. When it launches, the Rivian R3 will serve as a potential rival to the Chevy Equinox EV.
The Rivian R3 and R3X will ride on the same platform as the R2, but with different dimensions, including a wheelbase length of roughly 110.5 inches, five inches shorter than the R2’s 115.5-inch wheelbase. The exterior, however, draws obvious similarities to the rest of the Rivian lineup, including a familiar fascia design with rounded headlights and a full-length horizontal lighting strip up front and in the rear. That said, the rear section of the R3 really helps to set it apart, showing an attractive 45-degree slant that lends it a decidedly sporty vibe.
Speaking of performance, the R3 is expected to offer similar power and drivetrain configurations as the Rivian R2, including a structural battery pack, plus single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD options. Range-per-charge should be greater than 300 miles, with quick charge options on the table. Meanwhile, the Rivian R3X is expected to offer the R2’s top-level three-motor setup, blessing the R3X with the highest level of performance in the R3 lineup.
The R3X will also boast wider wheels and tires, as well as more ground clearance and a slew of visual cues that give a nod to its positioning at the top of the R3 lineup, such as orange sideview mirror caps.
Inside, we see a set of horizontally oriented screens for infotainment and driver info duties, while the flat-folding seats maximize interior room.
Pricing for the 2027 Rivian R3 is expected to start around $35,000, while the R3X is expected to start around $45,000.
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Comments
Looks brilliant. Modern and retro at the same time. Gm must learn how to make great looking cars. All they make now is a boring, soap design, asian looking b.s. I cant even remember how they look. You look at it and then forget it 5 mins later.
Blazer should have been smth like this. Modern and retro.
I don’t know about the styling. Not very stylish. China BYD will kill due to better styling, China subsidized prices and BYD being financed by Americans- thanks for screwing the USA.. Looks like it could have been an old VW.
Glad Rivina did it, though, and I agree they may not make it to 2027. Now Tesla should dump their old models and come out with new ones… and dump the dumb truck.
wtf u mean it looks like the illegitimate love child of an amc gremlin and a prius
With an added dose of Plymouth Horizon/ Dodge Omni, plus Fiat 128!
Pushing forward as if they are going to be successful. If nothing else, you have to admire the positive attitude.
However, I just don’t think Rivian will make it to 2026 to release the R2 and R3.
I have to laugh when people (mostly EV fanboys on sites like Clean Technica, Elektrek, and InsideEVs) claim the startups are at an advantage over the legacy automakers when it comes to an EV transition. But they fail to understand two basic things here.
1) Tesla came around at a time when it had zero competition and interest rates were rock bottom. Companies like Rivian, Lucid, Fisker, and even Nio and Xpeng don’t have that luxury. Even these two Chinese companies are bleeding cash hard as Xpengs CEO said the Chinese EV market is a bloodbath.
2) Legacy automakers can fall back on ICEs while slowly and gradually transitioning to EVs. Its why you see the legacy automakers more resistant to dropping their prices than Tesla and Lucid. Legacy automakers like GM can still invest in EV R&D while making sales with cars like the Trax, Tahoe, Silverados, etc. But Tesla and Lucid have no choice but to drop prices just to keep demand going and stay afloat.
There’s also BYDs example. Well I would argue that BYD is NOT an EV startup and actually is technically a legacy automaker. They are actually a multi-industry conglomerate. They started building ICE cars later on but the company started off as a battery manufacturer. So the one complex component in the EV they have down packed already and all they had to do was marry two of their industries together.
Well said!!
Folks all around the Net are calling this a lifted Rabbit. Retro but the Equinox EV is much more stylish, excepting that ridiculously tiny rear window. Rivian might not be around until the R2 is produced, much less this one.
Different strokes for different folks. I like both styles, though. They are different enough from each other to earn their own merits based on the approach.
If Rivian can survive until they can start mass producing and selling the R2 in volume, they will become a huge problem for the likes of Land Rover, GMC, and mostly Jeep
Rivian showcased some awesome upcoming vehicles. Good for them. Hope they can survive.
This is how stylish and functional the new Bolt should be forget the equinox as a competitor.
Another small cross over ev . Should have made a smaller rivian truck . Would of sold much better than this
Reminds me of an AMC Gremlin with fender flairs, which isn’t a bad thing. I don’t think the EV Nox has to worry about this stealing sales. Rivian in general doesn’t have the capacity to threaten any Chevy or GMC EV’s
I absolutely love it. Looks fantastic.
GM has so much styling heritage that they can draw from. Imagine an all-new K5 Blazer treated this way? Still square, but modern. It would be amazing. Make it a hybrid and it would be unstoppable.
Thats what I meant Scott.
But Gm is Gm. They wont build that way. They will give us an asian, soap looking cartoonish b.s. with an fwd proportions.
Oh, how cool that would be. To see the design language from the 60s-80s. But modern at the same time. That would sell like hot cakes.
Love the R3X. Will definitely put a reservation in for one when they open reservations. I know it will be years from now, but that’s ok, it would just be a fun 3rd car for me anyway.
Every time I look at it I see a different retro design “inspiration”, and I love all of them. Lancia Delta Integrale, VW Rabbit/GTI, Dodge Omni GLH.
Smaller? Yes. Sportier? Maybe. Uglier? For certain!!!
Reminds me a bit of an AMC Gremlin
Looks like a 1979 Fiat Strada with upgraded headlights and taillights. 🤣
It looks like an AMC Gremlin. 🙁
R3 looks like an’87 Dodge Omni.
You stole my witty observation :-)!
Crossed with a Fiat 128.
I doubt they will be much competition, with their prices and styling they aren’t apt to be a hit. I have only seen 2 Rivians. ( pick ups). One on the open road and another here in town!
I’m as anti-EV as the next guy, but somehow (and please don’t poke me with a fork) this weird grandson of Lada Niva works for me! And I also agree with the Omni, Delta, Rabbit, etc. observations.
Love these. But not quite sure really equinox competition. These seem more off-road oriented or at least catering to that image.
I have one thing good to say about owning an EV vehicle. While those batteries are charging you can catch a good nap. I saw it today and wanted to get a picture so bad , but the hard rain keep me from getting a picture. I’m sure he will be more alert driving home.