Rivian Unveils R2 & R3 EVs As Tesla Rival Looks To Go Mass Market
American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, which is know for its R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck has introduced its new mass market offerings in the form of the R2 and R3 EVs.
The R2 and R3 are based on Rivian’s new midsize platform.
The R2 is the larger of the two new vehicles revealed by Rivian and is a midsize all-electric SUV that is due to arrive in 2026 with a starting price of $45,000 (Rs 37.23 lakh). Rivian claims that the new R2 is designed with both adventure and daily use in mind.
The R2 boasts a familar design, taking cues from its larger siblings, the R1S and R1T.
At the front, the Rivian R2 features the familiar stadium headlights that are connected to each other by a lightbar that runs across the front of the SUV. The boxy SUV shape that has been a Rivian staple from the start with Rivian not opting to go down Tesla’s unhinged design route.
The rear section of the R2 is also quite familiar with a full width lightbar acting as the taillights underneath which sits the Rivian badging. The interiors of the Rivian R2 are quite minimal and come draped in premium material. The five seats fold flat to increase storage space and there are displays for the instrumentation and infotainment.
The Rivian R2 is expected to arrive in 2026 with two battery pack options, the larger of the two set to deliver an EPA range of over 483km (300 miles). The Rivian R2 is expected to come in single, dual and tri-motor configurations with the most powerful triple motor EV set for a 0-60mi/h (0-96.5km/h) time of under 3 seconds.
The Rivian R2 is 4,714mm long, 1,905mm wide and 1,699mm tall. The wheelbase of the Rivian R2 measures 2,936mm long and offers a ground clearance of 241mm.
The R3, on the other hand, is a midsize crossover that sits somewhere betweeen an SUV and a lifted hatchback, the latter is especially evident at the rear of the R3 where it features a unique split tailgate and a hatch style opening for the boot.
The R3 also features a very minimal yet premium cabin, though with a lot less boot space considering its smaller overall size, compared to the R2.Like its larger sibling, it too features displays for the infotainment and instrumentation. While details about powertrains and exact sizes are not available, what is confirmed is the fact that the tri-motor model will be called the R3X.
Rivian has opened reservations for the R2 in its home country of the United States, with the first deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2026. The R2 will then go to Europe and other markets sometime in 2027. The R3 and R3X models will follow the release of the R2.
Rivian plans to initiate the production of the R2 at its existing manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois. This strategic decision is expected to save the company over $2.25 billion (over Rs 186 billion), avoiding the initial costs of setting up production in its Georgia plant. The move to begin production in Illinois by the first half of 2026 is aimed at reducing capital requirements and risk.
Thoughts About The Rivian R2 and R3
The Rivian R2 and R3 have shown that you don’t need bonkers design or other eccentricities to make two rather appealing electric vehicles. By following its design ethos and promising big batteries, Rivian has with the R2 and R3, two evs that we really want to drive.
