Does anybody out there remember the 1980s-era AMC Eagle Kammback? (Crickets.) If you don’t, I’m not surprised. The only reason it leaps to my mind is that my high school best friend had a sister who drove one of those dreadful things.
Moving on, how about the Mazda 323 GTX? Does that ring a bell? (More crickets.) Loved by driving enthusiasts, the 323 GTX was a rally-inspired, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive hatchback available in the U.S. in 1988 and 1989. It made rally cars for the road cool well before the Subaru WRX did.
I bring up both rare artifacts from automotive history because the new 2027 Rivian R3 and performance-oriented Rivian R3X appear to be modern incarnations of those two cars.
With a five-door hatchback design, a lifted ride height, available all-wheel drive, and stunning performance from the most powerful of their electric drive systems, the R3 and R3X tread unusual ground. Is the time right for a long-nosed, slant-decked, all-terrain thingamabob? The answer might be yes based on the positive audience reaction to the new 2027 R3 when Rivian rolled it out during a live-streamed reveal.
During the Rivian R3 and R3X reveal, the automaker’s founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe, said the R3X is the car employees see in the design studio and want to own. That’s understandable because it doesn’t resemble anything else on the road, is made for adventure, and boasts incredible performance.
Rivian bases the R3 and R3X on the same new platform that debuted underneath the R2, a compact SUV with a traditional profile. However, the R3 models are even smaller thanks to a wheelbase that’s 5 inches shorter than the R2’s.
From the front doors forward, the R3 has the Rivian family look and a front trunk (frunk) for extra cargo. Around the back, it adopts a rear window and roofline treatment reminiscent of an Audi Q8, angling into a stubby back end decorated with a recessed full-width taillight that reminds me of the new Dodge Charger Daytona.
That rear window is what Rivian calls a “flipper glass.” It flips up for easy cargo loading or carrying long items, like a surfboard. You can also adjust the height for added security and safety when something is sticking out of the cargo area.
In R3X specification, the smallest of Rivians has oversized wheels, all-terrain tires, and added cladding to protect the body. The look is complete with orange mirror caps and accents and a large rear roof spoiler.
Inside, the Rivian R3’s interior themes resemble its larger siblings, emphasizing clean lines, simple controls, sustainable materials, and display-driven access to information and entertainment. A panoramic glass roof makes it feel larger than it is.
Like the R2, the R3 has dual glove compartment storage areas and room for up to five people. Storage space is relatively abundant, and like other Rivian models, the R3 includes an integrated flashlight in the driver’s door panel. Rear air conditioning vents keep your passengers cool, and heated outboard seat cushions warm them up in cold weather.
Rivian hasn’t divulged cargo space measurements. However, the R3 has a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat to expand capacity. In addition, both front seats fold flat, making it possible to slide an inflatable mattress into the crossover for camping.
Built on a new Rivian platform and battery, the 2027 R3 offers single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD), dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), and tri-motor AWD performance powertrains.
Rivian says all three offer more than 300 miles of driving range, and the tri-motor setup will zoom the R3 to 60 mph in about three seconds. The Rivian R3X has a tri-motor electric drive system and added ground clearance to accompany its rally-car vibe.
Rivian hasn’t divulged the details of the R3’s digital instrument panel or the touchscreen infotainment system. However, both run on a new electrical network architecture promising improved performance, new features, and over-the-air update capability. Drivers can display a forward-facing camera view on the digital instrument panel, with a data overlay for the video feed.
In addition, Rivian will likely offer the same advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) it announced for the R2 in the new R3. Namely, the company plans to provide a hands-free and eyes-free Level 3 ADAS in these new electric SUVs.
With the compact electric crossover segment saturated with choices, the new 2027 Rivian R3 dares to be different. The most similar rival by appearance would be the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which also comes in a new Ioniq 5 N performance edition. The equally unusual Genesis GV60 is another alternative. Ford, perhaps identifying a trend early, is set to start selling the 2024 Mustang Mach-E Rally soon.
Of course, when the Rivian R3 starts rolling off its Georgia assembly line, there will likely be even more offbeat EVs like this one. Will they also remind me of an ancient AMC and briefly beloved Mazda? Probably not. And that could make them less memorable than this Rivian.
Rivian is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of March 7, 2024, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with nearly 30 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals.
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