Abstract
- Above all, the Rivian R3 looks like a extra financially sound choice, 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 preserving drivers nearer to the highway.
- Its type 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 operating. Lots of people are flocking away from Tesla, and Rivian’s R1T and R1S are just about ideally suited if you would like American-made options to the Cybertruck and Mannequin X. Heck, whereas I keep away from pickup vans as a rule, I would nonetheless gladly take into account an R1T if it was a simple swing in my price range.
That, after all, is the massive catch with Rivian in 2025. You are spending at the least $71,700 on an R1T, and much more on an R1S — far more than the common American can afford. The corporate is aiming to deliver costs again all the way down to Earth with the R2, due in 2026, and the R3, which ought to 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 will clarify.
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1
The pricing is extra affordable
A perennial problem of EVs
Rivian
You had been in all probability anticipating this level, but it surely’s nonetheless value making. The R2 ought to 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 supplied any specifics but, however for the hole to be significant, the R3 will in all probability need to promote for lower than $40,000. Some predictions have put the worth nearer to $35,000, not far more than the most cost effective American EVs.
It is simply plain sensible to attenuate your money owed, and for me, a automotive is usually a manner for me to get my household and cargo from A to B.
Even when cash is flowing, I choose to be cautious when shopping for a automotive. It is simply plain sensible to attenuate your money owed, and for me, a automotive is usually a manner for me to get my household and cargo from A to B. I am prepared to spend just a little 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 flexibility to fold down the entrance seats for a sleepover.
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2
A compact crossover fits me
Larger is not all the time higher
Rivian
Having been inside a number of, I’ve lengthy felt that almost all pickups and SUVs are too large to be sensible, cargo advantages apart. Sitting larger within the cabin, I really feel disconnected from the highway, they usually could make parking a critical problem. Again once I lived in Austin, I used to park on the road or in out of doors heaps for some live shows — and I had a hell of a time doing that with a Honda Match or Nissan Leaf typically, by no means thoughts selecting a mid-sized SUV. Cadillac Escalade house owners have to be masochists.
Bigger pickups and SUVs make me really feel disconnected from the highway, and might probably 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 large to slot in my single-car storage, whereas the R3 at the least has a hope of becoming in with just a little room to stroll round.
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3
Efficiency will probably be shut sufficient
Not making an attempt to do a coast-to-coast run, right here
Rivian
Rivian continues 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 of 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 most effective variations of the R1T and R1S already high 400 (644 kilometers). Rivian would additionally look just a little 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 arduous to think about the R2 being dramatically higher than the R3. It ought to — in idea — 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 might make it from Edmonton to Calgary in January with cost to spare.
I will 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 fashionable
Cash does not purchase you style
Rivian
That is extraordinarily subjective, however I do discover the R3 extra interesting on an aesthetic stage. Each the R2 and R3 borrow design cues from the R1 collection — to me, although, the R2 appears to be like just a little an excessive amount of just like the R1S, which in flip appears to be like like a boxy, generic SUV other than its tires and headlights. Word that I did not say the R2 and R1S are ugly. Relatively, there’s simply nothing to get enthusiastic about on the skin that you simply could not get from rival SUV makers.
I would wish 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 provides it a little bit of retro aptitude. In reality, it jogs my memory a little bit of the Plymouth Horizon my mother and father owned once I was child, and I will guess this was deliberate on Rivian’s half. The corporate actually desires to promote us the “journey” facet of its autos, and outdated hatchbacks actually evoke photos of 20-somethings hitting the seaside or occurring a tenting journey. There is a motive one in every of its promo photos prominently options surfboards jutting out the again — although most People stay nowhere close to a surfable tide.
I would wish 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.
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