Rivian officially unveiled the R2 electric SUV during a live broadcast held Thursday afternoon. We knew a follow-up to the critically acclaimed R1 was coming, we even received some leaked specs earlier this week, but now we’re hearing it from the mouth of an electric horse. The company also surprised us with the R3 and R3X, however, this was a complete surprise, reminiscent of Steve Jobs and his famous “one more thing” meeting ender.
As previously speculated, the R2 is a compact SUV that looks quite attractive. All versions of the five-passenger electric car can travel at least 300 miles per charge, thanks to a newly designed 4695 battery cell and a larger battery pack that takes up most of the floor space. Owners will also get plenty of refueling options. It comes with a NACS charging port so it can be used with Tesla Super Chargers. The company has also built its own charging network, called the Rivian Adventure Network, with plans to build 600 charging stations over several years.
The R2 is rich in getting up and running, with three motor layouts to choose from. There’s a standard single-motor rear-wheel-drive model, a dual-motor all-wheel model (motors front and rear), and a fierce three-motor version (two motors in the rear and one in the front). The last model can go from 0 to 60 in three seconds, although that metric may shrink when considering the other two versions.
There’s a powerful infotainment center up front, although the layout of these digital elements may change as we get closer to launch. Still put it in front? The R2 comes with two gloveboxes, while the R1 series doesn’t even have one. There are also two scroll wheels on the steering wheel with dynamic tactile feedback. Thanks to the 11 cameras and 5 radars in the car (including the remote front radar), the car’s autonomous driving function has been greatly improved here.
Prices for the standard single-motor version start at $45,000, in line with the company’s chief financial officer Claire McDonough’s commitment. Although slightly smaller than the R1, the R2 is still quite roomy. As mentioned, it seats five and has an open-air design with pop-out quarter windows and a rear glass window that lowers and opens. Both rows of seats fold flat, so owners should be able to transport longer than average lengths of gear, such as surfboards. Just like the R1 series, there’s a roomy front truck, also called a trunk, for extra storage space. The R2 is available for pre-order now, with deliveries starting in 2026.
The R3, on the other hand, looks more compact than its newly launched sibling. It has a shorter wheelbase than the R2 and a more compact overall design. It is also available in three models, including single-motor, dual-motor and triple-motor versions. No range figures are available, but it does come with the same battery pack as the R2.
The R3 also includes some of the same open-air design features as the R2, including an automatic rear lift and a rear-facing glass window that pops out for storage. This window can be adjusted to various heights to accommodate oddly shaped items. There’s a pair of gloveboxes up front, and the interior design prioritizes sustainable materials.
Finally, there’s the dune buggy-style R3X. This is a high-performance vehicle that only features a three-motor design. It has a wider body and greater ground clearance than the R3. In fact, it doesn’t look like an R3 at all, with its “robust and fun” interior made from materials like cork and anodized metal.
Rivian has not announced any pricing or availability information for the R3 or R3X. However, it did preview some upcoming accessories that will be available across the company’s fleet. These include a tent fixed to the roof, a bike rack and additional rear storage options.
Now, the bad news. Rivian has had some problems of its own. The company announced as early as February that it would lay off 10% of its salaried employees, and the layoffs have already begun. The electric vehicle maker laid off about 100 employees at its Normal, Illinois, plant this week.
