Rivian has officially pulled the curtain back on the R2, its long-anticipated midsize SUV designed to bring the brand’s adventurous spirit to a much broader audience. Following a week of leaked color options and preliminary specs, we now have the full picture of the lineup that Rivian is banking on to carry it toward profitability.
Built on an all-new platform that is roughly 2,000 lbs lighter than the R1S, the R2 manages to pack Rivian's signature "adventure DNA" into a more compact, affordable frame. The vehicle is already making its public debut at SXSW 2026, where the company plans to offer public rides and demos starting Friday, March 13.
Rivian R2 Specs Comparison
The R2 arrives with three primary configurations that vary in power, range, and luxury features. While the R2 Performance is the "halo" model that ships first, the R2 Standard Long Range is arguably the range king of the group.
Feature | R2 Performance | R2 Premium | R2 Standard (LR) |
|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $57,990 | $53,990 | $48,490 |
Est. Delivery | Spring 2026 | Late 2026 | Early 2027 |
Drivetrain | Dual-Motor AWD | Dual-Motor AWD | Single-Motor RWD |
Range | 330 mi (EPA-est.) | 330 mi (EPA-est.) | 345 mi (Rivian-est.) |
Horsepower | 656 hp | 450 hp | 350 hp |
0–60 mph | 3.6 sec | 4.6 sec | 5.9 sec |
Suspension | Semi-active | Standard | Standard |
Wheels | 21-inch all-season wheels and tires | 20-inch all-season wheels and tires | 20-inch all-season wheels and tires |
Drop Glass | Included | Included | Not Available |
Headlights | Matrix LED w/ Adaptive High Beams | Matrix LED w/ Adaptive High Beams | Standard Matrix LED |
Drive Modes | All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, Sport, All-Terrain, Rally, Soft Sand, Launch Mode | All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, Sport, All-Terrain | All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, Sport |
Audio | 975W Premium (9 speakers) | 975W Premium (9 speakers) | Standard (5 speakers) |
Ground | 9.6 in | 9.6 in | 9.6 in |
Payload | 1,168 lb | 1,168 lb | 1,102 lb |
Torque | 609 lb-ft | 537 lb-ft | 355 lb-ft |
Towing Capacity | 4,400 lb | 4,400 lb | 3,500 lb |
Battery Size | 87.9 kWh | 87.9 kWh | 87.9 kWh |
The R2 measures 185.9 inches long and 84.7 inches wide (78.1 inches with the side mirrors folded), with a wheelbase of 115.6 inches. It is 66.9 inches tall.
You can also see how the R2 stacks up against the R1S.
The Promised $45,000 Entry Point
Rivian also confirmed that a fourth, even more accessible R2 Standard variant will debut in late 2027 starting at $45,000. While many details for this trim remain "to be determined," Rivian expects it to offer more than 275 miles of range. This entry-level model is clearly designed to battle the base Tesla Model Y, though it arrives much later than its more powerful siblings.
Built for Adventurers
The R2 isn't just a shrunken R1; it introduces several clever features designed specifically for car camping and storage. For the first time in a Rivian, both the front and rear seats fold completely flat, creating a massive interior space for sleeping.
Storage is equally innovative, featuring two glove boxes and a "hidden drawer" for extra gear. The signature flashlight inside the door frame remains, and a new "Field Outlet" accessory can plug into the charge port to turn the R2 into a 12V power station for external devices. Additionally, the rear window on Performance and Premium trims can drop completely into the tailgate to provide an open-air feel and accommodate longer items like surfboards.
R2 Interior Options
Rivian is introducing two new nature-inspired interior themes for the R2:
Coastal Cloud Signature: A light, airy white interior inspired by ocean skies, featuring upcycled birch wood.
Black Crater Signature: A dynamic dark-toned interior inspired by volcanic rock.
Note: The R2 Standard trims are restricted to the Black Crater interior without the "Signature" wood accents.
The R2 Performance comes with a "Launch Package" for early buyers, which includes a green anodized key fob, a tow package, and a lifetime subscription to Rivian’s Autonomy+ hands-free driving system, which is normally a $2,500 value. This trim also gets access to the full color palette, including the exclusive Launch Green paint.
On the tech front, the R2 features a new "Haptic Halo" steering wheel with physical dials that tilt and scroll, providing a unique way to interact with the vehicle's software. The car is also ready for modern charging standards with a native NACS port for direct access to Tesla Superchargers.
With reservations currently open for $100, Rivian is positioning the R2 as the versatile, accessible electric SUV that the market has been waiting for. Deliveries for the Performance trim begin this spring, marking the start of a new era for the company.
