Is the Rivian R3 trying to compete with Slate's Fastback Version?

[cadblu]

Slate Fast Back

Rivian R3

Don't believe it's a coincidence when looking at the Rivian R3 and the Slate Fast Back version side by side.
Interesting that the Rivian is a four door, yet overall smaller in length by almost 13 inches!

The two models are compared in the table below (from Bing Copilot):

Spec	Rivian R3	Slate Fastback (Slate Truck Base)
Length	~161.4 in (4,100 mm)	174.6 in (4,435 mm)
Height	~59.5 in (1,511 mm)	69.3 in (1,760 mm)
Width	Not confirmed (est. ~72 in)	70.6 in (1,793 mm)
Wheelbase	~110.5 in (2,807 mm)	108.9 in (2,766 mm)
Curb Weight	TBD (likely ~3,800 lbs)	3,602 lbs (1,634 kg)
Body Style	Subcompact crossover hatch	Compact pickup/SUV convertible
Available	2028	Late 2026
Est. Price	$37,000	~ $28,500 with fastback option

Summary:
Slate Fastback is longer, taller, and slightly narrower—more utility-focused, with modular panels and a pickup/SUV hybrid vibe.
Rivian R3 is shorter and lower-slung, designed for urban agility and performance, especially in the R3X variant.
Slate has the clear advantage with price and time to market.

Your thoughts / comments are appreciated!

 

[GaRailroader]

Slate Fast Back

Rivian R3

Don't believe it's a coincidence when looking at the Rivian R3 and the Slate Fast Back version side by side.
Interesting that the Rivian is a four door, yet overall smaller in length by almost 13 inches!

The two models are compared in the table below (from Bing Copilot):

Spec	Rivian R3	Slate Fastback (Slate Truck Base)
Length	~161.4 in (4,100 mm)	174.6 in (4,435 mm)
Height	~59.5 in (1,511 mm)	69.3 in (1,760 mm)
Width	Not confirmed (est. ~72 in)	70.6 in (1,793 mm)
Wheelbase	~110.5 in (2,807 mm)	108.9 in (2,766 mm)
Curb Weight	TBD (likely ~3,800 lbs)	3,602 lbs (1,634 kg)
Body Style	Subcompact crossover hatch	Compact pickup/SUV convertible
Available	2028	Late 2026
Est. Price	$37,000	~ $28,500 with fastback option

Summary:
Slate Fastback is longer, taller, and slightly narrower—more utility-focused, with modular panels and a pickup/SUV hybrid vibe.
Rivian R3 is shorter and lower-slung, designed for urban agility and performance, especially in the R3X variant.
Slate has the clear advantage with price and time to market.

Your thoughts / comments are appreciated!

Perhaps the other way around since the Rivian R3 was unveiled before the Slate though Slate will be available first. I did think of the R3 when I saw the Slate fastback images leading up to the 4/24 unveil.

 

[AKrietzer]

The Slate with the hatchback, rollbar and rear seats will more than likely be more than 28,500, probably closer to 30,000. The Rivian looks nice, except those headlights. 😁

 

[Doug T]

The thing is, this not a particularly unique design. For example here is an Ioniq 5:

 

[Luxrage]

The thing is, this not a particularly unique design. For example here is an Ioniq 5:

It's hard to compete with that shape. The Slate and Rivian are only a little more raked forward than a Range Rover.

 

[YDR37]

Interesting that the Rivian is a four door, yet overall smaller in length by almost 13 inches!

The two models are compared in the table below (from Bing Copilot):

Spec	Rivian R3	Slate Fastback (Slate Truck Base)
Length	~161.4 in (4,100 mm)	174.6 in (4,435 mm)
Height	~59.5 in (1,511 mm)	69.3 in (1,760 mm)
Width	Not confirmed (est. ~72 in)	70.6 in (1,793 mm)
Wheelbase	~110.5 in (2,807 mm)	108.9 in (2,766 mm)
Curb Weight	TBD (likely ~3,800 lbs)	3,602 lbs (1,634 kg)
Body Style	Subcompact crossover hatch	Compact pickup/SUV convertible
Available	2028	Late 2026
Est. Price	$37,000	~ $28,500 with fastback option

I think the R3 length is a miss by Bing Copilot. As far as I can tell, Rivian has not yet listed official specs for the R3. However, we do have a statement from the Rivian design team:

Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s head designer, confirmed to Green Car Reports that the R3 family is 170.3 inches long and rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase—so it’s about 15 inches shorter than the R2, with a wheelbase about five inches shorter.

If the 170.3-inch number is correct, the R3 would be 3.5 inches longer than a 2-door Jeep Wrangler (at 166.8 inches) and 4.3 inches shorter than a Slate (at 174.6 inches).

Compared to other 4-door vehicles, it would fall between a Volvo EX30 (166.7 inches) and a Subaru Crosstrek (176.4 inches). But the R3 looks cooler than the EX30 or the Crosstrek.