When Rivian first introduced its R1, it was a major disruptor in the electric vehicle market at the time. Offered as the R1S SUV and the R1T pickup, the model presented a vision of a rugged, adventure-ready EV with off-road capability and the practicality of both of its available body styles, as opposed to the luxury models and city-focused EVs that comprised the existing market. Now, Rivian has grown to be a significant part of today’s electric mobility industry, and as the manufacturer grows, it announced that smaller and more affordable models would be joining the lineup alongside the R1.
The R2 and the R3 were announced some time ago, but now, the R2 will be available this year, with the full lineup and pricing just announced by Rivian for the model. Based on a new midsize platform, the R2 helps Rivian offer a greater variety of EVs to its customers, and the new model itself will offer a variety of trim levels for different drivers: Performance, Premium, and Standard.
The first to arrive on the market is the R2 Performance, which will be available starting in spring 2026. It’s debuting with the Launch Package, with which it carries an MSRP of $57,990, and it features dual-motor all-wheel drive with 656 horsepower, 609 lb/ft of torque, a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a driving range of up to 330 miles. The Launch Package, available for a limited time, includes Autonomy+ for the lifetime of the vehicle, a special key fob, the option of a Launch Green exterior color, and a 4,400-lb capacity tow package.
Available later this year is the R2 Premium, which features 450-horsepower dual-motor all-wheel drive, with 537 lb/ft of torque, a 4.6-second 0-60 time, and a range of up to 330 miles. The Premium starts at $53,990. The new Rivian R2 Standard will become available in 2027. It features rear-wheel drive, and starts at $48,490. It has 350 horsepower, 355 lb/ft of torque, a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds, and a range of up to 345 miles. Starting at around $45,000, an R2 Standard variant with less range will also be available in late 2027.
On display at SXSW, the iconic event that Rivian has become a prominent partner of, the Rivian R2 will be on public display at the Rivian Roadhouse. Offering a smaller, more affordable way to access its rugged EV capability, the R2 is the next chapter of the Rivian brand.
Image Source: Rivian
