EVwire brief: Rivian has started the first public customer deliveries of the R2, the more affordable mid-size SUV it is counting on to reach a far broader audience, and opened ordering to existing reservation holders.
However, the version going out first is the most expensive one. Deliveries and orders both begin with the R2 Performance with Launch Package at $57,990, while the entry Standard trim that anchors R2's accessible pricing, at $44,990, is not due until summer 2027.
CEO RJ Scaringe is excited to start bringing the R2 to consumers.
I am really proud of the work our team poured into creating R2. This vehicle reflects the passion and excitement of the entire Rivian team who have worked tirelessly to bring it to life. I can't wait for customers to experience this vehicle.
The Rivian R2’s deliveries start with the top-tier R2 Performance trim
Details:
Here’s what the first available trim, the R2 Performance with Launch Package, brings:
Starting price: $57,990 (before taxes and fees)
Drivetrain: dual-motor all-wheel drive, 656 hp and 609 lb-ft
0-60 mph: as quick as 3.6 seconds
Range: EPA-estimated up to 330 miles (531 km)
Towing: 4,400 lbs with an integrated 2-inch hitch
Suspension: semi-active, unique to the Performance trim
Driver assistance: Autonomy+ included (a $2,500 value), with hands-free assisted driving across 3.5 million miles (5.6 million km) of US and Canada roads through its Universal Hands Free system
The R2 Performance is almost 2,000 lbs lighter than its R1 predecessors
Context:
Rivian first showed the R2 in March 2024 at an event in Laguna Beach, California, positioning the two-row SUV as its mass-market entry point at roughly half the price of the R1S. Rivian said reservations topped 68,000 in the first 24 hours.
The R2 then went through a multi-year validation program. Rivian says development vehicles racked up tens of thousands of miles and ran in conditions from -45°F (-43°C) to 122°F (50°C).
The R2 rides on a new mid-size platform, nearly 2,000 lbs (about 900 kg) lighter than the R1, on a shorter 115.6-inch wheelbase, with 9.6 inches of ground clearance that keeps Rivian's off-road billing.
The affordable R2 Standard trim is expected to be available summer next year
Three lower trims follow the launch configuration over the next year and a half. All figures are for US-market vehicles, before taxes and fees:
Trim | Starting price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
R2 Performance with Launch Package | $57,990 | Available now |
R2 Premium | $53,990 | Late 2026 |
R2 Standard RWD Long Range | $48,490 | Early 2027 |
R2 Standard | $44,990 | Summer 2027 |
Rivian has named the Tesla Model Y as the R2's primary target, and the launch pricing lands right on top of it. The $57,990 R2 Performance sits within about $500 of the Tesla Model Y Performance, which starts at $57,490 before destination and fees.
The R2 is built on a dedicated line at Rivian's plant in Normal, Illinois, alongside the R1S and R1T. Rivian is also building a second plant in Stanton Springs, Georgia, due to start assembling vehicles in late 2028 with up to 300,000 units a year of capacity for the R2, Rivian's planned robotaxi platform, and future models.
Rivian has framed the R2 as central to its path to profitability, after posting $1.38 billion in first-quarter revenue and a narrower net loss.
Source: Rivian Newsroom
DON'T FORGET to subscribe to EVwire for the EV and AV news that matters, and join 14,000+ EV geeks who get it first.
