Rivian reveals new SUV and hatchback
The American manufacturer has taken the wraps off the next two entries in its family, the R2 SUV and R3 crossover, the latter getting an off-road performance version.
Rivian has expanded its line-up with a third model, a slightly smaller SUV called R2. It comes as the affordable entry point to the brand and will hit North America in 2026.
It’ll start at US$45,000 (NZ$72,890) and be available in single, dual and triple motor (two rear and one frontmounted) configurations along with two battery sizes. According to the brand, the largest battery with the single motor powertrain will allow a range of more than 480km.
As for power, Rivian isn’t saying, aside from quoting an estimated 3.0-second 0-60mph (97kph) sprint time with the trimotor option ticked.
Being more entry level, the R2 isn’t quite as big as the R1S. It’s a five-seater measuring 4714mm long, 2143mm wide and 1699mm tall.
Compared with the R1S, it’s 381mm shorter and doesn’t boast as much off-road credentials, although it should still hold its own fairly well with a 25-degree approach angle and a 27-degree departure angle.
In terms of styling, it’s a case of ‘if it ain’t broke’. The R2 looks almost exactly like the R1S, particularly from the front. It has Rivian’s familial lighting signature with a thick LED strip split by two vertical ovals.
The rear also takes a lot of styling cues from the larger Rivian, with a full-width rear light stretching across the bootlid. It appears the R2 gets a pop-out rear window, good for dogs occupying the luggage area, while the rear hatch glass can also roll down.
Inside is a dual-screen cabin, including a 15.6-inch infotainment display that serves as the control hub for all in-car settings like media and climate as well as steering wheel and mirror adjustment. And there’s more cubby storage than in the R1S.
Weirdly, neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is offered, but an onboard wi-fi hotspot, a wireless smartphone charging pad and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant are all included.
If the R2 isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps Rivian could interest you in the even smaller R3? While it does seem odd that the company’s smaller vehicles have larger numbers, the R3 looks genuinely interesting.
Rivian is calling it a crossover but it looks closer to a lifted hatchback, with a wheelbase five inches shorter than that of the R2. The two new models use the same platform, which means the R3 gets the same single/dual/tri motor powertrain configurations.
We know even less about the R3 than the R2, aside from the fact the rear glass lifts up, there are two glove boxes inside, and a performance R3X version looks a lot like a rally car.
That one gets a slight ride height increase, bigger wheels and tyres, extra cladding around the bumpers and wheels, and a “rugged playful” interior with orange and aluminium inserts.
Pricing for the R3 and R3 should be confirmed soon. We’re still holding hope for a local launch, but it’s looking unlikely at the moment.