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.

 

[YDR37]

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).

But even if the R3 is 4.3 inches shorter than a Slate, the wheelbase of the R3 (assuming 110.2 inches) is actually 1.3 inches longer than the wheelbase of a Slate (108.9 inches).

Given the slightly shorter length and slightly longer wheelbase of the R3, the wheels of the R3 are positioned closer to the corners of the vehicle than on the Slate.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

i believe the r3 will be competing with the slate suv especially if they are very close in price because people will look and see what they get lets say the r3x is slightly more about 3,000 depending on what it has it could very well take the lead lets say the suv kit and truck cost 30,000 and the r3x cost 33,000 the 3 thousand will determine a lot but also depends who comes out first both have about a year of hype so we will see personally if i had the money id get both or just the basic slate and the r3x