Summary
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On top of that, the Rivian R3 seems to be a more economical decision, especially since I don’t need that much cargo space.
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The R3’s compact model is suitable for city and garage parking, while also bringing drivers closer to the road.
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Although other opinions are valid, its style is somewhat less generic to me.
If Rivian is not Electric cars Manufacturer Du Jour, of course, is running. Many people flock to Teslaif you want an alternative made in the US, Rivian’s R1T and R1 are perfect Seibok And X. Heck, while I usually avoid trucking, I’m still happy to think about the R1T if the budget is easy to swing.
Of course, this is Rivian’s biggest gain in 2025. You are considering spending at least $71,700 on the R1, and spending even more on the R1 than the average American can afford. The company aims to restore prices to R2 and R3 in 2026, which should be launched by 2027.
Personally, if I do get one of the new Rivians, it’s almost certainly R3. As I’m going to explain, although the R2 is nominally a better vehicle on paper.
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1
More reasonable pricing
The perennial challenge of electric vehicles
Rivian
You may be expecting this, but it’s still worth it. The R2’s electric SUV should be relatively affordable, at $45,000, but the R3 plan is cheaper. How many? Rivian hasn’t provided any details yet, but to make the gap meaningful, the R3 may have to be sold for less than $40,000. Some forecasts bring the price close to $35,000, no more than the cheapest U.S. electric cars.
It is obvious to minimize debt, and for me, cars are primarily a way to get my family and goods from A to B.
Even if the money flows, I want to be cautious when buying a car. It’s wise to minimize your debt, and for me, cars are mainly a way for me to take my family and goods from A to B. I’m willing to spend more money on technologies like all-electric drivetrains, but if I can get rid of the basic version of the basic version, I will. I don’t need cargo space for the R2, and I certainly don’t need to be able to fold the front seats for overnight stays.
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2
A compact crossover is suitable for me
Bigger is not always better
Rivian
After doing some internal work, I have long felt that most pickups and SUVs are too big to be practical, cargo benefits. I felt disconnected from the road as I sat higher in the cabin and they could make the parking lot a serious challenge. Back when I lived in Austin, I used to park at some concerts on the street or outdoor fields – I sometimes do it with a Honda fit or Nissan leaves without having to go for a midsize SUV. The owner of Escalade in Cadillac must be masochist.
The larger pickup trucks and SUVs made me feel disconnected from the road and had the potential to make parking a serious challenge.
As a compact crossover, the R3 fits my lifestyle better than the R2. This includes caring for it at home. Here in Edmonton, it is absolutely necessary to keep an electric car inside during the winter without driving. The R2 may be too big to fit in my bike garage, and the R3 would prefer to install a small room to walk around at least.
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3
Performance will be close enough
Don’t want to do a coast-to-coast run here
Rivian
The Rivian is still keeping the cage on final specs for obvious reasons, but both the R2 and R3 are planned to be available in single, dual sport and triple configurations. You can also use a better battery configuration to get into the first 300 miles (483 km) range. By the time they are ready to roll, all the decor could break into 300 miles – the best versions of the R1T and R1 are already in the top 400 (644 km). If Rivian can’t beat the Chevy Equinox EV, it looks a bit weak, even though it starts at $34,000.
From a performance point of view, it is hard to imagine that R2 is better than R3. In theory, it should have more battery space, but can be offset by increased weight. Anyway, I don’t need an EV for more than 300 miles – I can go from Edmonton to Calgary in January, taking care of the backup.
I’ll worry when I’m crazy enough to hit 400 miles Drive back to Texas.
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4
R3 is actually more stylish
Money won’t buy your taste
Rivian
This is very subjective, but I do find the R3 more attractive on an aesthetic level. Both the R2 and R3 borrow design tips from the R1 series – but, to me, the R2 looks a bit like the R1, and the R1 again looks like a loose, universal SUV, except for its tires and headlights. Please note that I did not say R2 and R1 are ugly. Instead, you can’t get excited outside from the competitor SUV manufacturers.
I want to see Rivian push its design further, but that may have to wait for an R3 Gen 2 or R4.
The R3’s tilted rear hatch gives it a bit of a retro talent. Actually, it reminds me of the Plymouth horizon that my parents had when I was a kid, and I bet it was Rivian on purpose. The company does want to sell us the “adventure” aspects of its vehicles, and the old hatchback undoubtedly evokes images of beaches or camping trips in her 20s. One of its promotional images is the reason that there is a prominent promotional image, and although most Americans are far from the tide, the surfboard stands out on the back.
I want to see Rivian push its design further, but that might have to wait for R3 Gen 2, or maybe R4 – assuming that the Rivian platform can be further stripped away.
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