Rivian R2: Everything We Know

By Karan Singh
Rivian

The Rivian R2 is Rivian’s future platform and electric mid-size SUV, which was announced on March 7th, alongside the R3 and R3X. The R2 is supposed to bring Rivian’s performance and capabilities in a smaller, five-seat package optimized for everyday use and adventuring.

Price and Specs

Rivian hasn’t provided complete details on all the build options for the R2 just yet – but it will be starting at $45,000 USD. It’ll have an estimated range of up to 300+ mi, and a 0-60mph (0-100 km/h) in under 3 seconds in select trims. This, alongside the 5-seat capacity, makes the R2 a strong competitor against the Tesla Model Y Long Range in the United States – which starts today at $47,990.

Rivian recently announced the specifications for its R2 AWD launch edition.

Battery Options

We expect Rivian’s offerings to vary widely based on the battery and motor package. Today, Rivian offers a Standard Pack, Large Pack, and Max Pack on the R1S and R1T. For the R2, Rivian will launch two battery packs, and the larger pack will be the one that obtains both the 300+ mi of range and the 3-second 0-60mph acceleration. This could change in the future, but for now, this seems pretty settled, as Rivian intends to offer fewer configuration options to reduce manufacturing complexity.

The R2 will also feature a structural battery based on Rivian’s new 4695 cells, which they say will offer significant improvements in both energy density and output. Rivian intends to focus its efforts on this new cell size going forward.

Motor Options

On the R1T and the R1S, the motor options are a dual-motor AWD, trimotor, and quad-motor variants. However, for the R2, Rivian will be offering it in a single-motor (RWD) variant, as well as a dual-motor (AWD), and tri-motor (two rear, one front) configuration. This is mostly to make the vehicle as cost-efficient as possible.

Rivian Wave

EV Rebates and Tax Credits

We’re currently not sure if the R2 will be eligible for the United States Federal EV Rebate, or Canada’s iZEV rebate. The Canadian rebate is more flexible but is only $5,000 CAD (~$3600 USD), while the American rebate is a tax credit, and is based on battery material origin and vehicle production. It’ll likely be eligible for the full $7,500 USD (~$10,000 CAD), but we’ll have to wait for confirmation from Rivian.

Charging Capabilities

One of the most important things for the R2 is the inclusion of Tesla’s NACS port, and built-in Supercharger support. Additionally, for the R2 specifically, the charge port will be moved to the rear left quarter panel – matching the location of Tesla’s NACS port – making it easy to fit your Rivian in at a Tesla Supercharger and not worry about blocking any stalls.

The R2 will also be CCS compatible but will require a CCS-to-NACS adapter. At this point, Rivian does not intend to provide an adapter with the R2, so a third-party adapter will be required unless Rivian releases an OEM option.

Rivian has said that the R2 will be able to charge – on the right hardware – from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. That’s expected to be in line with the top EVs in this price range. The numbers may even improve as Rivian fine-tunes their new 4695 cells.

Autonomy

Rivian Wave

Rivian’s built up an entirely new autonomy hardware system, including 11 cameras, 5 radars, and an updated compute platform. While they haven’t said exactly how many self-driving capabilities they intend to include, this is an upgraded package from the R1S and R1T Gen1’s MobilEye EyeQ4 “Mid” system. This new system, also included on the second generation R1S and R1T, is MobilEye’s EyeQ5 High, or “MobilEye SuperVision”.

Rivian’s custom compute package also includes compute from Nvidia, but supposedly this board will be in training mode and non-functional until Rivian launches its own autonomy solution. The MobilEye hardware will be responsible for Rivian’s autonomy features, including full-surround perception, automated lane changes, and highway and traffic jam assist – which is essentially an advanced highway lane-keeping assist. Rivian intends to eventually phase out the MobilEye hardware, but we’re not sure when that will happen.

Release Date

Rivian’s R2 is currently available for reservation in the US for $100 USD, and Canada for $150 CAD. The estimated delivery date for the United States is expected to be mid-2026, and Canada will follow along at the same time.

Rivian also intends to launch the R2 internationally, following its North American launch. We know plenty of European customers are considering the R2 as their first or next EV, but we haven’t heard any exact dates for its release in Europe yet. Rivian will likely allow reservations outside of North America once the R2 ramp is completed at its Normal, Illinois facility.

We’re excited to see the launch of the Rivian R2 as it’s expected to bring Rivian into the mainstream and make Rivian a household name.

It's Happening: Rivian R2 Orders Start in June

By Nehal Malik
Rivian Wave

Rivian is officially shifting into high gear as it prepares to put the R2 into the hands of customers. Following a strong first quarter where the company beat delivery estimates, the focus has moved entirely to the launch of its first mass-market SUV.

Reservation holders have started receiving emails from the automaker to confirm their delivery addresses and provide an update on the next steps. According to a screenshot shared by @gdann27 on X, Rivian has informed fans that "in June, we’ll be reaching back out with a date for when you can configure and order your R2."

The Road to June Deliveries

The timing of this email is critical. Rivian has consistently maintained that the R2 is on track for late spring 2026 deliveries. Opening the order configurator in June suggests that the actual delivery dates for the first wave of customers won't be far behind.

This update follows a recent executive interview, where it was revealed that employees would receive their units first to help validate the software before the public launch. For those who can't wait until June, Rivian is currently hosting a series of cross-country R2 viewing events to let people see the SUV in person.

R2 Lineup and Specs

When the configurator finally goes live, the R2 Performance will be the first model off the production line. Starting at $57,990, this top-tier trim features a dual-motor AWD system capable of 656 horsepower and a blistering 3.6-second 0–60 mph time. It also includes the signature "Drop Glass" rear window and 21-inch all-season wheels.

Rivian Wave

The rest of the R2 variants announced last month will follow a staggered rollout:

  • R2 Premium ($53,990): Expected late 2026 with 450 hp and 330 miles of range.

  • R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Arriving early 2027, this will be Rivian’s range leader at 345 miles.

  • R2 Standard ($45,000): The most affordable base model is currently slated for late 2027.

The Performance trim will also feature an exclusive Launch Package for the very first group of reservation holders. If you are still trying to decide which model fits your lifestyle, you can check out our R2 vs. R1S comparison for a better idea of the size and feature differences.

A Critical Milestone

The R2 is more than just a new car for Rivian; it is a volume play designed to make the company profitable. By moving toward a June ordering window, Rivian is proving it can stick to a tight manufacturing schedule even while overhauling its platform for a new generation.

As we enter the spring window, Rivian’s lucky first customers are just weeks away from finally locking in their builds. Stay tuned, as the launch of the configurator will likely reveal even more granular details about interior materials and final accessory options for the R2.

Rivian Beats Q1 Delivery Estimates as R2 Launch Nears

By Nehal Malik
Rivian Wave

Rivian is kicking off 2026 with some much-needed momentum. While the electric vehicle industry has faced plenty of "doom and gloom" headlines lately, the Irvine-based automaker managed to beat Wall Street’s expectations for the first quarter, signaling that demand for its adventurous R1T and R1S is finally stabilizing.

According to the official announcement, the company produced 10,236 vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, and delivered 10,365 vehicles during the quarter ending March 31, 2026. These delivery figures comfortably surpassed analyst estimates of roughly 9,678 vehicles, proving that Rivian is effectively navigating a market recently hampered by the expiration of U.S. federal tax credits.

Breaking Down the Growth

When we look at the numbers year-over-year, the delivery growth is impressive. Rivian delivered 1,725 more vehicles than it did in Q1 2025, representing a 19.9% year-over-year increase. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, deliveries rose by 6.4% compared to the 9,745 units handed over in Q4 2025.

Production, however, saw a slight strategic dip. The 10,236 units produced this quarter represent a 30% decrease compared to the 14,611 units built in the same period last year. This suggests Rivian is focusing more on clearing out existing inventory and balancing its supply with current demand before its next massive manufacturing ramp.

Q1 2026

Q4 2025

Q1 2025

Deliveries

10,365

9,745

8,640

Production

10,236

10,974

14,611

Stabilizing Demand and Global Factors

Several factors are helping Rivian find its footing. While the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit last fall initially hurt sales, rising gasoline prices — driven largely by the ongoing Iran war — have reportedly pushed more buyers back toward electric options.

Additionally, Rivian is making huge moves in the software and autonomy space. Just last month, the company signed a massive $1.25 billion deal with Uber to deploy R2 SUVs as robotaxis starting in 2028. This partnership, combined with Rivian’s reaffirmation of its 2026 delivery guidance of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles, suggests the company’s long-term outlook remains incredibly strong.

The Road to R2

Everything Rivian is doing right now is essentially a warm-up for the all-important R2 launch. This midsize SUV is the company's first true mass-market play, and it officially begins deliveries later this spring with the $57,990 Performance Launch Edition.

To build excitement, Rivian is currently taking the R2 on a cross-country viewing tour, giving potential customers a chance to see the vehicle's features — like its spacious frunk and signature Drop Glass — in person. While the more affordable $45,000 R2 Standard won't arrive until late 2027, the success of the current R1 lineup provides a solid foundation for Rivian to eventually take on the Tesla Model Y.

Rivian will release its full first-quarter financial results after the market closes on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Investors will be watching closely to see if these higher delivery volumes are translating into the profitability targets the company has set for the end of the year.

Latest Rivian Update