Rivian Officially Announces R2: Standard, Premium and Performance — Compare Prices and Specs

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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It's Happening: Rivian R2 Orders Start in June

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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.

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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.

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Rivian Beats Q1 Delivery Estimates as R2 Launch Nears

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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.

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.

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