Rivian has officially unveiled its much-anticipated R2 SUV, and while the specs and pricing are impressive, the visual identity of this midsize electric explorer is equally striking. The R2 lineup is launching with a palette of eight distinct colors, including three brand-new options designed specifically for this new platform.
The R2 will arrive in three primary trims: Performance, Premium, and Standard. The Performance trim, starting at $57,990, will be the first off the production line, slated for delivery in Spring 2026. It will be followed by the $53,990 Premium trim in late 2026 and the $48,490 Standard Long Range in early 2027. An even more affordable $45,000 Standard variant is also planned for late 2027.
If you are in Austin, you can see these colors in person as Rivian offers public rides and demos at SXSW 2026 this week. For everyone else, here is a detailed breakdown of the R2 color palette.
Catalina Cove (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
Exclusive to the R2, Catalina Cove is a metallic paint inspired by the waters surrounding Catalina Island. Rivian describes this finish as one that shifts from deep Pacific blues to translucent greens depending on how the light hits the vehicle. It is a highly technical color that reinforces the expressive character of the new midsize platform.
Esker Silver (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
Esker Silver serves as the default paint option for the R2 across all trims. It is inspired by the winding ridges of gravel and sand left behind by glaciers. The paint features fine metallic flakes that shimmer and provide significant depth compared to a traditional flat silver.
Half Moon Grey (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
The final new addition to the palette is Half Moon Grey. This metallic grey takes its inspiration from the coastal cliffs of Half Moon Bay. The finish is designed to look like layers of granite and sandstone shifting under warm light, offering a sophisticated, earthy alternative to standard grey.
Midnight
Rivian Wave
Midnight is a premium, cool-toned black. Rather than being a flat, solid black, it features subtle blue metallic undertones and flakes that add depth. Rivian says the finish is intended to evoke the appearance of gazing up at the stars on a perfectly clear night.
Glacier White
Rivian Wave
Glacier White is the only non-metallic color in the R2 lineup. Rivian designed it to be pure and crisp with a hint of warmth. Because it lacks metallic flakes, it emphasizes the graphic outline of the vehicle and makes signature design elements, like the gloss black tailgate pillars and headlamps, pop.
Borealis
Rivian Wave
Previously a limited-edition color, Borealis is now a permanent part of the R2 lineup (at least for the Performance trim). It is described as a "deep, velvety purple" inspired by the aurora borealis. The paint has heavy black tones and shifts dramatically with the light, moving from a dark, moody hue to a vibrant purple.
Launch Green
Rivian Wave
Launch Green is a signature Rivian color that is only available for a limited time as part of the Launch Package. It is a non-metallic, deep olive-green with subtle red undertones. The color was originally inspired by the anti-corrosion E-coat applied to vehicle chassis in the factory. It has an industrial, matte-like appearance that blends seamlessly with nature.
Forest Green
Rivian Wave
A staple of the Rivian brand, Forest Green is a deep, metallic dark green. It has a high metallic content that produces bright highlights in the sun and sophisticated shadows in the shade. It often appears quite moody and rich, shifting between forest tones and a more technical gray depending on the environment.
R2 Color Availability by Trim
While the full list of colors was leaked just ahead of the official reveal, their availability is not uniform across all R2 versions. Esker Silver is the standard, no-cost option for every trim level.
The R2 Performance is currently the only trim that allows you to select from all eight colors. Furthermore, Launch Green is restricted exclusively to the Launch Package, which is being offered to the earliest buyers of the Performance trim. For the Premium and Standard trims, some of these colors will be available as paid upgrades, while others will be unavailable entirely. Here’s a full breakdown of color availability by trim:
Color
R2 Performance
R2 Premium
R2 Standard
Catalina Cove
Yes
Yes
No
Esker Silver
Yes
Yes
Yes
Half Moon Grey
Yes
Yes
Yes
Midnight
Yes
Yes
Yes
Glacier White
Yes
Yes
Yes
Borealis
Yes
No
No
Launch Green
Yes
No
No
Forest Green
Yes
Yes
Yes
The R2 is clearly designed to look just as good in the city as it does on a remote trail. By mixing its classic R1 colors with three new, R2-exclusive options, Rivian has created a lineup that highlights the vehicle’s more compact and agile proportions.
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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.
Rivian Wave
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.
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.
Rivian Wave
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.
Rivian Wave
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.
Rivian Wave
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.
Rivian Wave
Rivian Wave
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.
Rivian Wave
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.
Rivian is getting ready to pull back the curtain on its next big thing, but it seems some of the most colorful details have already slipped out. Just a day before the official reveal on Thursday, March 12, the full list of color options for the upcoming R2 SUV was leaked online.
The discovery was made by Rivian Forums user TXR1SMD, who spotted the information while passing the company’s South Congress showroom in Austin. The site is currently closed as the team prepares for SXSW 2026, where Rivian plans to host public rides and showcases for the new midsize electric SUV after unveiling it.
TXR1SMD (via Rivian Forum)
The R2 Color Palette
According to the leaked posters, Rivian is planning a diverse range of finishes for the R2. While initial production may only offer a limited selection before scaling to the full list, the leaked lineup includes eight distinct options. Interestingly, the list features two different shades of green, suggesting that Rivian is leaning heavily into its adventurous brand identity.
TXR1SMD (via Rivian Forum)
The colors spotted at the showroom include:
Half Moon Grey
Glacier White
Borealis
Launch Green
Midnight
Forest Green
Esker Silver
Catalina Cove
Leaked Specs and Pricing
This color leak also comes alongside a massive dump of pricing and technical specifications that appeared earlier today. The first trim to roll off Rivian’s production lines will be the R2 Performance. This dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant starts at $57,990 and features an 87.9 kWh battery with 656 horsepower, allowing it to hit 0–60 mph in just 3.5 seconds while offering an estimated 330 miles of range.
Rivian Wave
The R2 Performance will reportedly come in Esker Silver by default, though other colors will be available as paid add-ons. However, early buyers will receive a "Launch Package" that includes a free paint upgrade. For those looking for a more affordable entry point, a single-motor "Standard" trim priced at $45,000 is expected to debut in late 2027.
Preparing for the Reveal
The R2 is a massive undertaking for Rivian, as the company is counting on this new platform to help it reach profitability by the end of the year. It brings clever utility features to the table, such as a rear window that rolls into the tailgate and front seats that fold flat for camping. It also includes a native NACS port for easy access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
As we get closer to the big event at SXSW, make sure to check out our guide on how to watch the launch event. We will be providing full coverage of the launch and every official detail Rivian announces.
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