Rivian unveils $45,000 R2 electric SUV and its R3 and R3X siblings

Rivian officially revealed the R2 electric SUV during a live broadcast held on Thursday afternoon. We knew the sequel to the well-reviewed R1 was coming and even got some leaked specs earlier this week, but now we have heard it from the mouth of the electric horse. The company also teased the R3 and R3X, but it came as a complete surprise, harkening back to Steve Jobs and his famous “one more thing” conference endpoints.

As suggested earlier, the R2 is a compact SUV that looks quite attractive. All versions of the five-seat electric vehicle get at least 300 miles on a single charge, thanks to a newly developed 4695 cell and a much larger battery that makes up much of the bottom floor. Owners will also get plenty of fueling options. It comes with a NACS charging port so it will work with Tesla Superchargers. The company is also building its own charging network, called the Rivian Adventure Network, with plans for 600 locations within a few years.

The R2 has plenty of get-in-and-go options, with three engine layouts to choose from. There’s a standard single-engine, rear-wheel-drive model, a twin-engine all-wheel drive model with front and rear engines, and the beastly three-engine version that features two engines in the rear and one in the front. This latest model can go from zero to 60 in three seconds, although that figure probably shrinks when the other two versions are taken into account.

There’s a robust infotainment center up front, although the layout of these digital elements is subject to change closer to launch. Also in the front? The R2 features two gloveboxes, while the R1 line doesn’t even have one. There are also two scroll wheels on the steering wheel, complete with dynamic haptic feedback. The car’s self-driving features have received a major boost here, thanks to 11 cameras all around and five radars, including a long-range front radar.

Prices start at $45,000 for the standard single-engine version, which is in line with promises made by the company’s CFO Claire McDonough. Although slightly smaller than the R1, the R2 is still quite roomy. As previously stated, it fits five people and boasts an open design with quarter windows that pop up and a rear glass window that lowers and opens. The seats in both rows fold flat, so owners should be able to transport longer-than-average gear like surfboards. Just like the R1 line, there’s a roomy front truck, otherwise called a frunk, for extra storage. R2 is available for pre-order now, with deliveries starting in 2026.

The R3, on the other hand, looks even more compact than its newly announced sibling. It features a shorter wheelbase than the R2 and an overall tighter design. It will also be available in three models, including single-engine, twin-engine and triple-engine versions. No range data available, but it has the same battery as the R2.

The R3 also includes some of the same open-air design features as the R2, with an automatic rear lift and a rear-facing glass window that opens for storage. This window can be adjusted to multiple heights to accommodate oddly shaped items. It has a pair of glove boxes on the front and an interior design that prioritizes sustainable materials.

Finally, there’s the dune buggy-style R3X. It is a high-performance vehicle, with only a three-engine design available. It boasts a wider stance and higher ground clearance than the R3. In truth, it doesn’t really look like the R3 at all, with its “robust and playful” interior made of cork and anodized metal, among other materials.

Rivian has not announced any pricing or availability information for the R3 or R3X. He did, however, reveal some upcoming accessories for the company’s entire fleet. These include a tent that attaches to the roof, bike racks and additional rear storage options.

Now the bad news. Rivian itself is experiencing some problems. The company announced back in February that it would lay off 10 percent of its salaried employees, and the job cuts have already begun. The EV maker laid off about 100 workers at its Normal, IL factory this week.