After about three years of the R1S and R1T gracing our roads, Rivian is gearing up to broaden its horizon. The Californian EV maker is set to unveil the compact R2 SUV in 2026, and hot on its heels will be the subcompact R3 and its racier sibling, the R3X. In a bold move, CEO RJ Scaringe has confirmed that the R3X will take the spotlight first, even before the standard R3.

This tantalizing tidbit came straight from Scaringe on a recent episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast. He enthusiastically stated that the company aims to roll out the R3X "as soon as we possibly can" after the larger R2 hits the market.

While details remain scarce, we know that the R2 and R3 will share the same platform, with the R3 sporting a wheelbase about 12.7 cm shorter than the R2. The R2, aimed at a broader market, is expected to debut in 2026 with a starting price around €41,000. Rivian is sizing the R2 to take on the likes of the Porsche Macan and BMW X3, hoping to capture the attention of a global audience.

However, something that might not sit well with mainstream buyers is Rivian's steadfast refusal to integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In a candid chat on Marques Brownlee's podcast last year, Scaringe justified this choice by emphasizing the need for control. He reiterated this stance on the recent Decoder podcast, highlighting Rivian's desire to ensure its software remains seamlessly integrated by keeping it tightly under the company's wing.

Rivian's journey is one to watch closely, as it pushes the boundaries of what's expected in the EV market, blending innovation with a touch of audacity.