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)
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.
Price: $2,000
Availability: Available at launch
Esker Silver (New for R2)
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.
Price: $0 — Included as standard on all orders
Availability: Available at launch
Half Moon Grey (New for R2)
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.
Price: $1,500
Availability: Available at launch
Midnight
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.
Price: $2,000
Availability: Available at launch
Glacier White
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.
Price: $1,000
Availability: Available at launch
Borealis
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.
Price: $2,000
Availability: Coming in 2027 — exclusive to R2 Performance
Launch Green
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.
Price: $2,000
Availability: Available at launch — exclusive to R2 Performance and only accessible for Launch Package-eligible orders
Forest Green
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.
Price: $1,500
Availability: Coming late 2026
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 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Esker Silver | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Half Moon Grey | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Midnight | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Glacier White | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Borealis | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Launch Green | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Forest Green | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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.
