Rivian, maker of the giant R1T pickup and also-giant R1S SUV, just showed off two cars today built on a fresh mid-size platform — the R2 and R3. Both are SUVs, with the latter coming in an off-road-oriented “R3X” guise; it looks absolutely fantastic. In fact, to me, it looks somewhat similar to the legendary Russian off-road hatchback, the Lada Niva.
Looking at the new R3X had me wondering: Why doesn’t America get the off-road hatchbacks that the rest of the world gets?
The Fiat Panda, for example, is a tiny hatchback that just so happens to be a beast off-road; why don’t we get that here? I mean, just look at the little thing go!:
Then there was the VW Golf Country that we never got. It’s literally just a VW Golf hatchback on stilts:
But the off-road hatch I’ve always wanted more than any other — a vehicle I consider the Jeep Cherokee XJ of Europe, as it’s small, cheap, and capable — has been the Lada Niva. The Russian 4×4 is so beautifully squared-off, so simple, so charming — I just cannot not give in to its lure.
Luckily, now America is getting a Lada Niva of its own, and in electric form: It’s the Rivian R3X:
It’s a badass-looking little machine. It’s high off the ground, has short overhangs, and will feature three motors — one up front, and two out back.
I plugged the photos into a handy-dandy online angle finder, and it looks like the R3X’s approach angle is over 30 degrees, and the departure angle looks closer to 40. Those are impressive!
The breakover angle, though, doesn’t look great. I’m not sure exactly what it is, as there are a few ways to measure it, but you can see that the wheelbase-to-ground clearance ratio is a bit large.
The Lada Niva’s approach and departure angles are about the same, though it’s definitely got the R3X beat in breakover angle.
The truth is: The Lada Niva may look somewhat like the R3X in concept, but the two are nothing alike. The Rivian has fully independent suspension, a bunch of aluminum parts, a fully electric powertrain using advanced batteries, and a fancy cabin with all sorts of screens and other electronic fun. The all-steel Niva has a basic radio, a solid axle in the back, is powered by a small gas motor hooked to a five-speed manual transmission, and is generally built for folks who live on the land. It’s agricultural, you can fix it with a flathead, and it’s unbelievably slow.
This Rivian R3X is expected to do zero to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. I’m fairly sure the modern Lada Niva would take over 15 seconds.
So really, the R3X is nothing like like the Niva, except is just feels like it. And even though all that complaining I did in the beginning of this article about how America doesn’t get 4×4 hatchbacks is a load of crap (we have the Crosstrek Wilderness, we used to get the Suzuki SX4, and really, the small 4×4 crossovers aren’t that different than hatchbacks, are they?), it’s nice to add another one, because I’m growing a bit tired of everything being so damn big.
Small is good for off-roading, it’s good for efficiency, and it’s good for the soul.
Can’t wait to throw some giant rally mudflaps on this bad boy and go bombing down dirty roads. 0-60 in the mid 2s in a compact package like that? I. Cannot. Wait. Serious Cyberpunk 2077 vibes.
yes! I hope the cost isn’t insane and it isn’t a disappointment in real life like the Hyundai ioniq 5 that has seemingly tons of issues and bad dealer network. The one person I know with a Rivian loves it.
The R2 will start in the mid 40s and the R3 in the mid 30s
I want a toy R3X!
I see a Delta in it, but I’m a Lancia girl, so obviously I would.
I would propose if I wasn’t married already.
My first thought was… an updated Omni/Horizon? Ya, I’m old.
Biggest question: Will you be able to buy it and at the price they claim? It seems even the cars that actually make it to production are in many ways vaporware. Even cars like the Rav4 plug in hybrid have 3 year waiting list where I live (Montreal) and don’t even get me started on the Cybertruck…I should see my reservation materialize MAYBE 5-7 years after I made it.
Might just be a Canada problem? I swear I’ve heard of people getting called up for Cybertruck reservations and turning them down. I can’t think of a single current release EV or PHEV that is unobtainable in my area, granted I haven’t been looking for either of the ones you mentioned.
I’m holding out for an Ioniq 5N and wondering if that will be super hard to get or wildly marked up.
The Ioniq 5N just launched here in Oz for the equivalent of ~US$74,000. That’s quite a lot of cash and a hell of a premium over the top spec version of the 5.
Also I can’t see how they are handling the tail lights on a moving body panel issue. I don’t see any other lights on the rear of the car except on the tailgate
The glass slides down, so maybe the gate got a pass.
EDIT: maybe not, I am thinking of the R2
The glass can actually flip up separately from the hatch!
Sometimes they put the backup lights inside the seam behind the tailgate, so they’re only visible when needed. I’m fairly certain it’s been done before, at least in the Lucid Air.
Looks like there are red reflectors (not sure if active lights or not) on the rear lower valence. Also, if you look closely, there looks to be small clear LED strips on each corner of the rear bumper, which could be reverse or turn signals. My guess if anything they would be reverse, my gen2 BRZ had reverse lights down low like that.
Oof, this is a really good-looking car.
The folks upset there is no more e-Golf and upset VW won’t give us the iD3 can rejoice. The shape VW should have been after all along
It’s what the Scout should have looked like
I’m surprised no one has mentioned it shares some looks with the Renault 5 as well.
This is quite an attractive shape so points there
If the price is similarly similar to the Niva, they’ll sell a metric gagillion of them.
We literally got the Fiat Panda…. Jeep Renegade. How well are those selling?
I don’t think that’s the same platform.. Pretty sure we don’t get the Panda’s mini platform in the States. Maybe I’m wrong
I guess your right, It’s based on the FCA Small Wide platform which is the 500x, 500L and Tipo/ Toro. I have driven both a Panda and a Renegade, and I swear they were the same- I guess the Panda is smaller- and not made in Turin.
The Panda is on a different platform, this one is shared with the 500X which is noticeably more urban and style-driven.
Different platforms. That said, I don’t think people realize how small the current Panda actually is. It’s like 22″ shorter than the Renegade. It’s shorter than a Mitsubishi Mirage. It’s way small.
I agree that this is a really fun looking car! It is a refreshing out there design. So kudos for that.
But, and this is a very big but, the final price will be the deciding factor. To quote Han Solo – I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I suspect this will be super duper premium in pricing. I predict $60,000 easily. It might even touch $70,000.
Remember this is built on a shortened R2 platform, so the only savings is the smaller battery VS the R2. Everything else will be the same cost for Rivian to manufacture.
They announced the R2 pricing as $45,000 before the tax incentive, so the R3 will be less.
Yes, I know the R2 RWD one engine model is starting at $45,000. I was talking about the R3X for pricing.
The R2 RWD one engine (likely very basic) base model is $45,000. That is not the three motor R3X I was talking about for pricing.
Lets spitball here. R2 RWD One engine: $45,000. So what are they going to save with a smaller battery and exact same motor and same frame just shortened. $5000?? So the one engine R3 will go for $40,000.
There is no pricing I can find for the R2 AWD Two engine and the R2 AWD three engine models.
R2 AWD Two engine. I’m guessing $9000 more to jump to AWD with two motors. So $54,000. That pegs the R3 AWD Two motor at around $49,000
R2 AWD Three motor. This is a halo car. I would expect this to be $20,000 more than the base model. So $65,000. That pegs the R3X AWD Three motor at around $60,000.
I’m still comfortable saying the R3X will be a $60,000+ car that you can easily option over $70,000.
Oh, I gotcha. It’s certainly possible it could go that high for the maxxed-out R3X model. They could get away with it if nobody comes up with a competing product in that time (like a smaller Scout or a Rally Ionic 5).
I wouldn’t ever take it into the woods, what if I bump into something; is it going to cost me $42,000 to repair? Also, how much does it weigh, will it just sink into the mud?
Having owned Nivas and ridden in plenty more (I’m an American living in krygyzstan) they are terrible. The old carbureted ones vapor lock when climbing passes, they overheat easily especially on mountain passes, the modern ones with fuel injectors have terrible electrical systems that eat alternators. All of them vibrate like washing machines. They are charming, but hard to live with. A friend bought a new one at the dealership a few years back and it blew fuses before getting home from the dealership.
I remember hiring a driver to take me over Tosor Pass to scout the route , his drunk friend was passed out in the back seat. He’d wake every time we broke down and drink vodka and try to get me to join him. Let’s say he was more drunk by time we got back then when we left.
Yip, plus a whole lot were delivered to France about five years ago where you could see hammer marks on the dashboard and other exposed metal. Precision engineering they are not. Pretty sure even injected models banned now because motors very dirty too.
I think i looks a lot like a final version Lancia Delta Integrale, which is amazing as that is an absolute beauty!
I don’t hate this take.
I want a lowered version with wide wheels and WRC box flares, dammit. Bishop!!!
I second.
Y’know what? Screw it, since it’s a skateboard chassis, I also want a WRC Stratos cosplay version of this, too. While I’m at it, a Delta Integrale suit, and a 6R4 metro bodykit, too.
Well done Rivian.Something smaller is a good thing.
The styling is good but also odd.I’m seeing shapes from several 80s cars but not sure which ones.It’s screwing with my brain
Too bad Rivian has painted themselves into the corner of having the stupidest looking headlights of any car brand. The rest of the car doesn’t look too bad 🙂
And we don’t really see Russia as a part of Europe over here.
I think their headlights are awesome. Every other manufacturer is stuck doing the “angry squint”, “friendly Anime eyes” is a refreshing change.
I also like that they’re not the same aggro squint that every other automaker is doing. And even more interesting to me is that, when looking at any Rivian, I see Geordi La Forge while others see Big Hero 6. It’s like an automotive Rorschach test.
I love the little headlights! They’re friendly, and they’re not horrifically blinding when they’re following you.
I respect them for having a definitive Corporate identity in this day and age although they look better on the bigger R1.
Love this. First EV to make me really want one.
This is easily the most interesting new electric vehicle coming to market for me. There isn’t any competition, a sensible hot hatch rally beast at a price that is attainable.
I will gladly get one if these end up being as good as they seem. Just might be a few years until the current daily is ready to retire.
I just really like every box this thing checks.
It looks like a Yugo 45 to me.
let’s expand this list. I’m calling Citroen Axel to the stage. A Visa Chrono is out there somewhere as well. (Funny that on Autopian people can get excited on car shapes that bring Yugo, Omni/Hoizon and other shitboxes to mind. Hurrah!)
I still want one though.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the chief designer on that thing is a European roughly my age.