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Rivian iconRivian

Rivian R3

85

BUYARY SCORE

Compact electric SUV with rally-inspired performance, versatile features, and promising range, but watch for production delays.

Meet the Rivian R3, a compact electric SUV designed for urban adventurers craving off-road thrills and weekend escapes. It packs a punch with over 300 miles of range and a tri-motor variant that rockets from zero to sixty in under three seconds—delighting experts and early fans alike. Users praise its sleek design, versatile interior, and rapid DC fast charging, though whispers about production delays temper excitement. Priced around $35k, it strikes an appealing balance between performance and value. With clever features like the innovative structural battery pack, this nimble crossover promises big things but awaits broader user feedback before full verdicts land.

USB-C-Ready
Off-Road-Ready
Urban-Friendly
Cargo-Ready
Passenger-Centric
High-Performance
Long-Range
Energy-Efficient
Low-Emissions
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The Scoreboard

Does this actually make your everyday life better? Considers health, habits, and environmental impact over time.

85

FIT

85

EXPERTS

TBD

USERS

83

VALUE

Benefits

🌳

Cleaner local air

Zero tailpipe emissions in use; reduces local air pollution and respiratory risks.

🏕️

Extended real-world range

Bigger structural battery and 4695 cells deliver 300+ miles, reducing charging stress.

🔌

Emergency power resilience

Bidirectional charging enables home backup and energy sharing during outages, boosting household safety.

Adventure-friendly comfort

Flat-fold seats, ample storage and glass roof encourage car-camping, outdoor time, and stress reduction.

🛡️

Smarter driver assistance

11 cameras, radars and improved computing reduce accident risk and driver stress in traffic.

Trade-Offs

⛏️

Battery production footprint

4695 cells and large structural pack increase upstream mining and manufacturing carbon footprint.

♻️

Recycling complexity

Treehouse-integrated battery and electronics complicate disassembly, making recycling and parts reuse harder.

🏁

Performance energy penalty

Tri-motor R3X consumes more energy and can cause faster tire wear, increasing particulates.

Fast-charging trade-offs

Regular 10–80% DC fast charging stresses cells and may increase lifetime degradation and emissions.

🚧

Scaling and service strain

Rapid ramp and simplified configs may still leave service gaps, longer repairs, and shipping emissions.

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Passenger-CentricEnergy-EfficientLow-Emissions

Alternatives

Rivian R3 offers long-range EV performance and adventure-ready packaging, but depends on lithium-cell production that elevates mineral-extraction and lifecycle emissions. Preserve driving utility while trading battery impacts: hydrogen fuel-cell SUVs reduce reliance on mined battery materials but encounter clean-hydrogen sourcing and fueling-network limits; plug-in hybrid compact SUVs retain range and camping utility while trading higher tailpipe emissions.
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Publications

2 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS


83

Logo of topgear.com

Jack Rix from Top Gear highlights Rivian’s surprising reveal of the R3 and R3X models, praising their unique blend of hatchback, SUV, and retro-futuristic design that could appeal strongly to European tastes. The review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the R3’s compact yet spacious form, likening its styling to iconic cars like the VW Golf and Lancia Delta, and emphasizing its “soul of a rally car” character as described by CEO RJ Scaringe. While the vehicles impress visually and conceptually, the review tempers excitement with cautious realism about Rivian’s challenging path ahead, noting the company’s ambitious production goals and the complexities of scaling up from current volumes. The review offers a balanced perspective, combining admiration for Rivian’s innovation and brand identity with an awareness of the operational hurdles it faces, making it a thoughtful and optimistic yet measured appraisal of the R3’s potential impact.

By Jack Rix
March 12, 2024

86

Logo of TechRadar

Myriam Joire from TechRadar highlights the Rivian R3 as an exciting and characterful compact electric SUV that stands out in the crowded EV market. Praising its edgy design, strong performance, and competitive 300-mile range, she positions the R3—and especially the sportier R3X—as a fresh alternative to Tesla’s more conventional offerings. Joire appreciates Rivian’s strategy of scaling down from premium models to more affordable, mass-market EVs, noting the R3’s attractive price point around $35k and versatile configurations. However, she tempers enthusiasm with caution about the long wait until production begins (post-2026) and the intense competition from established brands like Volvo, Kia, and Tesla’s upcoming models. Despite these challenges and uncertainties about Rivian’s future stability, Joire remains optimistic, drawing parallels to Tesla’s early struggles and emphasizing Rivian’s growing commercial EV business as a stabilizing factor. Overall, she conveys a hopeful yet measured excitement for the R3’s potential impact.

By Myriam Joire
March 17, 2024
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YouTube

5 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS


91

Youtube IconKelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 and R3X as exciting, well-proportioned compact crossovers with rally-inspired performance and versatile features like a rear window that lifts independently. They praise the R2’s affordability, flat-folding seats, and advanced charging, expressing strong anticipation for Rivian’s expanding lineup despite some pricing details still pending.

March 8, 2024

86

Youtube IconAuto Focus

Auto Focus enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 as a nimble, smaller crossover with strong off-road capability and clever features like a flipper glass hatch and versatile storage. The reviewer appreciates its adventurous character, performance-oriented R3X variant, and thoughtful design, while noting its accessible price and urban-friendly size.

March 7, 2024

91

Youtube IconKelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 and R3X as exciting, well-proportioned compact crossovers with rally-inspired performance and versatile features like a rear window that lifts independently. They praise the R2’s affordability, flat-folding seats, and advanced charging, expressing strong anticipation for Rivian’s expanding lineup despite some pricing details still pending.

March 8, 2024

86

Youtube IconAuto Focus

Auto Focus enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 as a nimble, smaller crossover with strong off-road capability and clever features like a flipper glass hatch and versatile storage. The reviewer appreciates its adventurous character, performance-oriented R3X variant, and thoughtful design, while noting its accessible price and urban-friendly size.

March 7, 2024

91

Youtube IconKelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 and R3X as exciting, well-proportioned compact crossovers with rally-inspired performance and versatile features like a rear window that lifts independently. They praise the R2’s affordability, flat-folding seats, and advanced charging, expressing strong anticipation for Rivian’s expanding lineup despite some pricing details still pending.

March 8, 2024

86

Youtube IconAuto Focus

Auto Focus enthusiastically highlights the Rivian R3 as a nimble, smaller crossover with strong off-road capability and clever features like a flipper glass hatch and versatile storage. The reviewer appreciates its adventurous character, performance-oriented R3X variant, and thoughtful design, while noting its accessible price and urban-friendly size.

March 7, 2024
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Forum Reviews

CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM


TBD

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Reddit users express cautious optimism about the Rivian R3, praising its design, interior features, and competitive range options, with many appreciating its size as a practical alternative to larger EVs. The R3X variant garners particular excitement for its performance potential. However, concerns persist regarding production delays, supply chain challenges, and Rivian’s ability to scale manufacturing and service infrastructure effectively. Some users highlight uncertainty about pricing and market competitiveness, especially compared to established models. Prospective upgraders and new buyers alike remain interested but wary, often emphasizing the need to see the R2’s success before fully committing to the R3.

Many comments

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In-Depth Review

Highlights Icon

Highlights

  • Driving range
    Marketed as over 300 miles.
  • Tri‑motor performance
    Advertised under 3s 0–60 mph.
  • Fast charging
    Advertised 10–80% in under 30 minutes.
  • Structural battery ('treehouse')
    Designed to integrate electronics and battery.
  • Off‑road capability
    Promoted as off‑road capable with R3X.
  • Flexible interior and storage
    Designed for flat‑fold seats and frunk.
Considerations Icon

Considerations

  • Production ramp risk
    Documented delays and scaling concerns.
  • Software maturity
    Reviewers noted unfinished software features.
  • Price and market positioning
    Uncertainty about final pricing and competitiveness.
  • Service and support scaling
    Concerns about service network and parts.
  • Recycling and disassembly complexity
    Integrated treehouse complicates recycling.
  • Fast‑charging battery impact
    DC fast charging may accelerate degradation.

While real-world feedback on this compact electric SUV remains limited, early buzz suggests it’s carving a niche as an urban adventurer’s dream machine. Positioned below its larger siblings yet packing serious punch with over 300 miles of range and a lightning-fast tri-motor variant that rockets to 60 mph in under three seconds, it blends rally-inspired performance with practical versatility. Its clever structural battery pack, integrating power electronics seamlessly, sets it apart from rivals like the Kia EV6 and Volvo EX30. Designed for those craving weekend escapes or city commutes alike, features such as rapid DC fast charging—reaching 80% in less than half an hour—and off-road-ready tweaks ensure this nimble crossover doesn’t just talk the talk. Add flexible interior touches like flat-folding seats and ample storage, and you’ve got a vehicle aimed at families and thrill-seekers who want more than just an electric badge. Keep your eyes peeled: this one promises to shake up expectations while staying smartly grounded.

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Charging Speed

Zap! The Rivian R3 supports DC fast charging capable of going from 10% to 80% juice in under half an hour via native NACS or CCS adapters—a smart nod toward accessibility on varied networks. This rapid top-up pace helps reduce downtime during adventures or city runs alike. Yet while experts applaud this speed as competitive class-leading tech, cautious users note potential long-term battery stress factors tied to fast-charging habits—a delicate dance between convenience and longevity that's crucial for electric ownership satisfaction.

Powertrain Performance

The Rivian R3 flexes serious muscle through its scalable powertrains—single-motor for efficiency, dual-motor AWD for balance, and tri-motor AWD powering the lightning-fast R3X variant with sub-3-second sprints from zero to sixty. Experts laud this rally-inspired dynamism paired with off-road tuning that doesn’t sacrifice daily usability. Despite production delays tempering enthusiasm slightly, performance remains a headline grabber; it's where thrill meets practicality wrapped in one sleek compact SUV package ready to shake up expectations.

Battery Pack Architecture

Rivian’s innovative 'treehouse' module integrates power electronics seamlessly within a diecast structural battery housing packed with high-density 4695 cells—an elegant design marrying strength and efficiency. This architecture boosts energy output while trimming weight and complexity but introduces challenges around recycling due to integrated components. Industry insiders praise this packaging wizardry as forward-thinking yet acknowledge trade-offs affecting sustainability efforts—the kind of clever engineering making waves beyond mere numbers into real-world impacts customers might not immediately see but definitely feel over time.

Driving Range

When it comes to hitting the road, the Rivian R3 impresses with its over 300 miles of range thanks to a robust structural battery pack featuring advanced 4695 cells. This generous reach reduces charging anxiety and suits both urban commuters and weekend adventurers. While official claims sparkle, early user chatter hints at real-world versatility that aligns well with these figures. It's this blend of solid engineering and practical distance that makes the R3's driving range a key player in its segment, promising freedom without frequent pit stops.

Conclusion

Sparse real-world impressions leave room for cautious optimism, but the Rivian’s over 300 miles of driving range feels like a confident promise rather than a gamble. Its scalable powertrain lineup, crowned by a tri-motor that rockets to 60 mph in under three seconds, injects genuine excitement without overshadowing everyday usability. The cleverly integrated structural battery pack architecture not only pushes energy density forward but also hints at future challenges in recycling and repair. Fast charging clocks in at an impressive pace, though owners should mind the trade-off between convenience and long-term cell health. Off-road tweaks on the R3X add dimension beyond pavement, while flexible interior touches—like flat-fold seats and ample storage—speak directly to urban adventurers craving versatility. This compact crossover carves out its niche as both weekend warrior and city slicker companion with confidence tempered by production realities—a smart choice for those who value thoughtful engineering wrapped in spirited performance.

Feature Scores Icon

Feature Scores

This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.

Performance

Driving Range

4/5

Charging Speed

4/5

Acceleration

5/5

Handling and Ride Comfort

4/5

Energy Efficiency

4/5

Battery Durability

4/5

Value

Purchase Price Competitiveness

4/5

Total Cost of Ownership

4/5

Resale Value

3/5

Design

Exterior Styling

5/5

Interior Space and Packaging

4/5

Ergonomics and Controls

4/5

Health

Cabin Air Quality

3/5

Low-Toxicity Materials

3/5

Safety

Crashworthiness

3/5

Active Safety Systems

4/5

Battery Safety Systems

4/5

Sustainability

Lifecycle Emissions

4/5

Battery Recyclability

3/5

Use of Recycled Materials

3/5

Experience Style

Infotainment and Connectivity

4/5

Charging Ecosystem Integration

5/5

Customization and Driving Modes

4/5

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Specifications

This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.

Performance

Value

Design

Safety

Sustainability

Experience Style

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Frequently Asked Questions


7 Questions