The R3 will not be their sales leader but the R2 will so they need to bring what is going to sale mure units first. The simple fact is if you look at crossover sales or even sales numbers period the SUVs that sell the most are either compact or midsize, not the subcompact. For example, the Rav4 is not only does Toyota's Rav4 trounce the Corolla Cross in sales, not only is the Rav4 their best selling vehicle it's the #1 selling SUV in North America. Even if you look at all the other automakers their compact and midsize SUVs are their best sellers and if RIvian is going to compete with Tesla they need to bring the R2 to market first to compete with the Model Y which is their best seller.
@@kenyattaclay7666 With that logic, why wouldn't the R3 sell more? It's basically a Rav4? I have a Tesla Model Y. If something a tad smaller (like the R3) was available, I might have bought that instead, especially if they can get the R3 down to $35K or so.
@ rcpmac Well, at one time only the sky seemed to be the limit with Tesla and their anticipated futuristic Roadster, Pickup, and cheap entry level EV. When the Cybertruck came out, it was hardly futuristic and looked stupid. Also, development for the roadster and entry level EV were cancelled, so I’d say Rivian is the best thing now.
Rav4 Prime redesign may be just around the corner. By 2026 there will be some great options. I agree the R2 would be awesome, but my fam is all ICE right now and we may need Plug-in Hybrid as a stepping stone. I suppose the R2 is similar in size/cargo capacity to the Rav4?
I'm currently driving a Model Y. Prior to switching to electric, I had driven Subarus, starting with the very first car I ever bought, back in 1979. My last Subaru was a Crosstrek, and as of now, as long as Rivian continues to be a viable motor car company, I'm planning on trading in my Y for an R3. The Y is nice, but the R3 is the size and style that fits me best.
This car is basically a modernized Lancia Delta Integrale with some Lada Niva styling and ground clearance thrown in, and I love it. It's one of my favorite looking EVs. I just hope Rivian figures out reliability and their cash situation since their reliability has been bad, and they've been burning a lot of money and it's not been great there.
@@charlesbolton8471 Lancia delta integrale was the first car that came to my mind. Proportions and size are just right too, so I love it. I think “compact SUVs” now have become too big so something like this R3 or the ID4 in electric, or the Kona or Taos for gas is the ideal size car imo.
These cars have been designed with less parts in mind, and more ROI. With R3X being a big draw, I think R2/R3 will do well. It also helps that VW pledged $5 billion and working together on a new line of cars.
I've never been a fan of SUVs, but I have to say that Rivian is really killing it with these cars - especially the R3X is something that I've grown to really love. Might be my first car if they manage to deliver what they are promising.
As a new(ish) Tesla owner, I still don't regret getting a Model Y because the Supercharger network is orders of magnitude better than the competitors. However, if (somehow) EA or other DCFC infrastructure catches up, I can't imagine choosing a Tesla over something fun like a Rivian or practical like a Hyundai
The R3X is a serious contender for me. I used to have a Mazdaspeed3 and now have a Model S. Gotta have that hatch and low ride height. I hope they keep the R2’s full fold flat seating in the R3.
My friend has a new Rivian SUV and his cameras failed and he backed up into a bumper pole. Not a lot of damage but the estimate to repair the dent was $32,000. And the company that repairs the cameras said they could do it but they were booked out over three months. Dang I really want me a Rivian after that story.
It may be the case. A lot of these glass roofs aren't so much just an option any more, they radically change how the car can be manufactured to get components in during assembly. The future may have a lot of glass roofs.
@@Charles31822 I've seen so many reports from such trivial or common things, it really feels like a design defect that should be covered or even recalled
All you need is tint on them, and they reject essentially all IR and UV for a cool, airy experience. If you don't want to do that, the aftermarket has panels which you can pop into or out of place very easily.
The R3/R3X is literally the Rivian everyone been waiting for, but it's still 3 years away. I am truly impressed with the brand, overall, but they are taking way too long to bring these smaller, more affordable models to market.
Will likely replace a Subaru Forester with an AWD R3. Like the looks of the R2 more but really prefer a car that's smaller on the outside while keeping great interior volume.
Model y user here, but I can confirm the R2 and R3 would be very competitive with the Tesla to me. Obviously off roading people will have an easy choice, but in terms of daily driving, i would definitely test drive both. I do love the Tesla, so I’m not in the market for anything else, but I really hope this becomes a best seller for Rivian.
Hopefully we'll see the Rivian models launching in Sweden as well... The R3 and R3X look amazing. Practical vechicles for any lifestyle. Living in the city myself as well, range is not really an issue. Kudos Rivian. Keep on delivering!
I will strongly consider an R3 if pricing isn't a surprise, even more if they did an R3T single-cap tiny truck ... It would replace my daily '23 manual integra, but I would keep an older wagon for the occasionally 450+ mile trip to the nearest Micro Center or Canada
I'm hopeful that pricing stays reasonably close to projections (though for the R3 there hasn't been anything official so we're all just taking educated guesses. I don't, however, expect we'll be seeing a T variant anytime soon and that's a prediction I would love to be wrong about. -Travis
@williamchen3789 Usually, it's 2 of us going at once, and we save about $200-$300 apiece on our hobby purchases. In my integra, it's about $100 in gas round trip... It's also become an annual road trip to get out of town for a day, just that savings cover the cost. If they open a Micro Center nearby, I'll find another excuse to drive for a day or 2
I love the utilitarian/adventure mindset of Rivian, I just wish it continued to the interior as well. Ditch the cost cutting/MiNiMaLiSt interior and use a more solid durable interior like a 4Runner/Wrangler
That R3 looks like a marvelous place to go from our 2016 Soul EV. Hopefully the Soul will last until the R3 is available... or the Kia EV3 perhaps though I actually like the look of the Rivian better. We shall see. Meanwhile the Soul keeps on doing our in town daily driver stuff.
I love these cars and can't wait to replace my Model Y with an R2. Having said that, I also hope Rivian steps up with helping replace the "hole" left behind when Tesla decimated their Charging team.
@@Kurre. yes, I do. I have had a Tesla Model 3 for five years… “need” might be too strong of a word, but I absolutely “want” CarPlay. I had CarPlay before this Model 3, and it was hands down better than what Tesla has built, despite everyone saying Tesla is the gold standard of OEM infotainment systems.
@@barrsm yes, I said I had seen the articles today, which were covering that podcast episode. I also wrote a long-winded comment on The Verge explaining how RJ was plainly wrong about what he said. Either he is ignorant of how CarPlay works, or he was lying. Either option looks super bad. He was effectively gaslighting. So, no, I'm not impressed by what he said.
The major cons for me are: No spare tire, a big problem for an "adventure" vehicle. The glass roof, I hate those and they’re useless when you have a roof rack with a tent. No CarPlay, seriously?
I'd compare the R3X to the Ioniq 5/Kia EV6. I'm really excited for it personally. Really hoping they have an option for a solid roof, really don't want a glass roof personally. If they do force it then i hope they at least build in a roof cover.
I guess "tons of space" is relative. I traded my Crosstrek for a Forester after the first camping trip because the rear storage was insufficient and that cargo area looks smaller than a Crosstrek. They need a model closer to a Toyota Highlander. It seems they are skipping that segment entirely, going from bigger (R1S) to smaller (R2). Also, having a higher number for a smaller model doesn't make sense. R1 should be the smallest, not largest model. That just shows a lack of planning for the future.
Sorry if you mentioned this, but would you mind sharing how tall you are to provide some reference for when you're measuring head/legroom at about 4:41?
I am now driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 AWD LR and a 2024 Model Y AWD LR. I am hoping to replace the Model 3 with the Rivian R3X and the Model Y with the R2 AWD. I am hoping to be able to get a "custom color" and maybe even AIR SUSPENSION on both. I'm hoping for ventilated and cooled front seats as well either an option or standard???? Largest batteries available in both vehicles.
Love the vehicle style and size but hate the steering wheel controls with a burning passion. When driving I want buttons that do exactly what the label says, at least for key things. Lack of buttons in general will probably keep me away.
@@EVBuyersGuideVoice commands are worse. With CarPlay locking out some functions to voice only while driving, I end up picking up my phone because it's faster, less frustrating, and less distracting. Plus I'm not talking to my car when I need to change a setting right away or when I'm trying to listen to music or a podcast or talk to a passenger. Voice commands in cars are worse than touch screens. But unlike the other person, I actually like those controls on the Rivian. They have haptic feedback IIRC and are clicky and tactile and you don't have to take your hands off the wheel to navigate a menu, etc. Love that.
@@EVBuyersGuide yep, see the interview recently with their CEO regarding CarPlay. It's a shame because it is such a fantastic feature and not having it is one of the big reasons I went with a Hyundai EV over a Rivian. Well, that and the almost $20k cost difference...
I feel like Rivian out-subaru’d Subaru with the R3X, lol! Its a great idea that subaru has applied as their “Wilderness” trim (which, by the way, has orange accents…) but subie customers have been crying out for a hybrid or EV option for years with no response.
R2 needs to come out in massive volume with massive charging and massive range ASAP. I'd own an R1T today if it wasn't for the stupid gear tunnel and non-dog friendly backseat.
