R3X First Impressions - Design & Quality

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

Both? It is hot hatch-sized in overall dimension, but since it's an EV, it can have a longer wheelbase, which means the interior isn't nearly as cramped as a traditional hot hatch. So you still get the small exterior size but a better interior. Walking up to it I get the same vibes from the 90's hot hatches I grew up with, but looking inside is a different story.

Cool! The exterior dimensions are what I was worried about.

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[Mathme]

The Rx3 is currently a hand-built show car built in really small numbers. Things will change between now and when it's ultimately built that will be determined by price target vs. cost vs. parts availability.

That being said, the design language here is intriguing and it'll be interesting to see how many of these features make it to production, and also what new ideas will be added along the way.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

The Rx3 is currently a hand-built show car built in really small numbers. Things will change between now and when it's ultimately built that will be determined by price target vs. cost vs. parts availability.

That being said, the design language here is intriguing and it'll be interesting to see how many of these features make it to production, and also what new ideas will be added along the way.

One of the designers was in attendance at the Nashville space, and it was mentioned the model is a production-intent vehicle, not a concept car. I wouldn't expect significant changes. You are correct; they are possible, but hopefully, we will get something close to what is touring now.

 

[Riv_Ian]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely ups the anticipation!

 

[Rivianready]

Great report! Thanks for sharing. Rivian is going to sell A LOT of these.

 

[dleepnw]

im considering trading in my R1T for this once its released. totally different use cases but if the price and specs are right, im in.

 

[wjhdrew]

Looks like everyone chiming into this R3X thread is in for the R3 more so than the R2. Same is true for me. I don't really need a midsize suv like the R2, when we have either the R1T or R1S. The R2 doesn't fill any gaps that we have with the two larger vehicles, but the R3 fills the gap of having a small and more efficient car and carrying a fewer number of people.

R3X will replace my ioniq5. Can't wait.

 

[theyoungone]

I was at the Rivian space in Nashville today, where they have the R2 and the R3X. Walking up to it, my wife remarked that she thought it was cool. Right away, I'm starting on the right foot because she will need a new car by the time that one comes out. I thought the R3X looked cool in pictures, but that's nothing compared to seeing it in person. It is a hot hatch that goes well from practical to cool. I was also highly impressed with the build quality and all the little touches found everywhere in the vehicle. I don't have many pictures of the car because those are everywhere. I took pictures highlighting specific things I wanted to talk about here.

This wicker texture draws the eye to it and gives the smaller space some volume. Notice the stitching colors on top: Orange for the X and body color stitching. This pattern was repeated throughout all the stitching. The R3X is full of these little touches that remind you this vehicle is special.

The orange detailing is on the dash and the wicker is on the seats. Also notice all the spots with the orange and blue stitching in the car. I'm not sold on the mustard color on the lower half of the dash, but I like the design overall so it's something I'd live with.

Notice the orange metal on the upper portion of the seats. Another nice little touch.

Plenty of room back there for groceries or other errand supplies. Also notice the very top of the rear seat belt in the picture, it has the blue accents on the sides. All the seatbelts had that.

The rear hatch is curved in so the Rivian logo is proud of the hatch by a good amount. This gives a really cool 3D effect when walking around/past the vehicle. The R2 has this same logo but they are contrasted by the R1's. Only problem is for those who want to debadge their vehicles. I don't see these coming off very easily as the trim looks to be cut around them.

Two more orange accents, the calipers and this badge. It is also on the rim as well.

Orange mirrors, orange tow hooks.

The R3X will be an excellent replacement for my wife's i4M50 when it is released. So long as they stick to the same design and have the performance they are suggesting, R3X will be on my shortlist. I plan on returning to Rivian one more time before I leave Nashville, so if there's anything you all want to see that I haven't covered, let me know, and I'll see what I can do. I also got general information on the other vehicles, but I'll save that for a different post.

I'm swinging by the Nashville space today too. How did you get so close? I thought it was roped off.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I'm swinging by the Nashville space today too. How did you get so close? I thought it was roped off.

It is, but the rope was pretty close yesterday. They were accommodating for sure.

 

[Evan1]

People must be better behaved in Nashville. They wouldn’t dare leave the doors open when it was in Denver.…bastards

The doors were opened at the Manhattan Space where crime has been high, lol

 

[Evan1]

The R3X is on my shortlist too however I am also thinking of the KIA EV3.

 

[COdogman]

The doors were opened at the Manhattan Space where crime has been high, lol

Well, if they had done that for us maybe I wouldn’t have stuck my entire upper body through the window to look at the interior, testing the limits of their “don’t touch” policy

 

[CharonPDX]

The R3X WILL be my next Rivian. The sooner they get it into production the sooner I can give them more money. I like the R2, but it’s not really on my radar.

Same.

I wasn't really planning on replacing either of my vehicles (R1T and Ford Mach-E) until they were no longer financially reasonable to repair.

But the R3X has me absolutely looking at replacing the Mach-E. (Which is funny, because Ford teased the Mach-E Rally just before the R3X reveal, and I was all "oh, I might upgrade my Mach-E sooner than I thought!" for a couple months until the R3X reveal.)

 

[R1Tacoma]

VERY well written and I agree with the points you made.

 

[Monkey]

People must be better behaved in Nashville. They wouldn’t dare leave the doors open when it was in Denver.…bastards

Yeah, couldn’t get anywhere near close enough to touch it. Maybe this means they’re relaxing a bit…. Maybe they now have more than one functioning prototype?

Anyhoo…. While we’re planning to replace our Model Y with an R2 (which they also wouldn’t let us touch in Denver, or other places apparently), I’m really thinking I may have to buy an R3X just because. I’m not too wild about that yellowy-tan color on the seats, would much prefer a gray, but I absolutely love everything else about this car.

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