Rivian unveils compact R3 electric SUV with hot-hatch variant

The Rivian R3 small electric SUV has been revealed – alongside a high-performance R3X version with three electric motors – ahead of plans to sell the new vehicles internationally.

Plans for an Australian launch are yet to be confirmed, but Rivian says the R3 and R3X will be "available internationally following their North American launch," which is at least two years away – and they are expected to be built in right-hand drive for the UK market.

The R3 is expected to be close to a BYD Atto 3 or MG ZS EV in size, given it has a 135mm-shorter wheelbase – and shorter front and rear overhangs –than the Tesla Model Y-sized, 4715mm-long Rivian R2.

Prices are yet to be announced, but Rivian promises the R3 will be cheaper than the $US45,000 ($AU69,000) R2 SUV.

The new compact models take the form of small SUVs, with large wheels and boxy profiles that have been likened to 1980s Volkswagen Golf GTI or Lancia Delta Integrale hot hatchbacks.

They have five doors and five seats, with a traditional liftgate rear end – including an opening rear window similar to BMW wagons – and a storage space under the bonnet.

The R3X is differentiated by wider wheels, all-terrain tyres, wheel-arch flares, orange accents, and a rear spoiler.

Inside, there are dual screens, a simple steering wheel with two dials, glass roof, and seat trim pictured in white in the R3, and tan in the R3X.

Underpinned by the same platform as the larger R2, the R3 range will offer two battery sizes – with a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive in the R3, and standard tri-motor all-wheel drive in the R3X.

No technical specifications have been confirmed, but in the larger and heavier R2, Rivian claims more than 550km of estimated driving range in European WLTP testing (or 483km in more stringent US tests) from the largest battery, and 0-60mph (97km/h) in less than three seconds.

The battery pack forms part of the structure of the vehicle, and uses new 4695 (46mm diameter, 95mm tall) cell technology claimed to be more energy dense than previous Rivian batteries.

A 10 to 80 per cent fast charge can reportedly be completed in less than 30 minutes, through a NACS charging port in North American-delivered examples.

The R3 and R3X are fitted with 11 cameras, five radars and more powerful computing hardware than previous Rivians.

Details on launch timing and pricing is yet to be disclosed, but Rivian says the R3 and R3X are due sometime after the R2 goes into production in the first half of 2026.