Rivian’s R2 design configurator is live, and while the fully loaded Dual-Motor Premium and Performance versions include lots of nice-to-have features, the Standard R2 still offers a highly compelling package.
If you are trying to decide which version to order, let us help you by breaking down exactly what the Standard trim includes, what it leaves behind, and how it compares head-to-head with the Premium variant.
What the R2 Standard Includes
Despite being the entry-level option, the R2 Standard still packs a highly capable punch for daily driving and light adventuring. Powering the Standard trim is a single-motor Rear-Wheel Drive setup producing 350 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque.
Buyers will have two battery options. A smaller Standard pack is coming later with an estimated range of 275 miles, while the Long Range pack will offer up to 345 miles per charge. The vehicle includes four selectable drive modes consisting of All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, and Sport, similar to the Dual Motor Standard R1S and R1T.
Inside the cabin, the Standard trim features the minimalist Black Crater interior. It comes well-equipped with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12-way power driver seat, and an 8-way power passenger seat.
The infotainment is paired with a 525W standard audio system featuring five speakers and two force-balanced midwoofers. 19-inch Machined Graphite All-Season wheels come standard, though buyers can upgrade to the exact same 20-inch Bicolor Carbon wheels offered on the Premium trim.
In addition, both are capable of using Rivian’s Autonomy+ package in the future, which will eventually feature point-to-point hands-free autonomy.
What the R2 Standard Leaves Behind
To hit its more accessible price point of roughly $45,000 for the base battery and $48,490 for the Long Range, Rivian stripped out several luxury and off-road features found in the $53,990 Premium trim.
The most notable structural difference is the rear liftgate. Unlike the Premium trim, which has a rear window that rolls fully down into the door, the Standard model has a fixed rear glass. You also lose Dynamic Adventure Lighting with Adaptive High Beams and receive basic LED headlights instead.
Inside, the Standard trim lacks the upcycled Birch wood accents found in the Premium model, and the popular White Coastal Cloud interior color is not an option. Comfort takes a slight hit as well, as the Standard trim removes the ventilated front seats and the heated rear passenger seats. The audio system is also scaled back from the Premium's 975W 9-speaker setup. Furthermore, the signature Rivian Torch flashlight built into the driver's door has been removed.
For exterior aesthetics and utility, the Standard trim misses out on the exclusive Catalina Cove paint option. It also lacks the integrated front tow hooks and the dedicated All-Terrain drive mode, making it less suited for serious off-roading.
Standard | Premium | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|
Motor | Single RWD | Dual AWD | Dual AWD |
Interior | Standard | Premium | Premium |
Suspension | Standard | Standard | Semi-active suspension |
Audio | Standard | Premium | Premium |
Wheels | 19” all-season | 20” all-season | 21” all-season |
Rivian torch flashlight | Not included | Included | Included |
Front seats | Heated only | Heated and ventilated | Heated and ventilated |
Rear seats | Not heated | Heated | Heated |
Rear glass | Fixed | Powered drop glass | Powered drop glass |
Headlights | Standard | ||
Tow hooks | None | Included | Included |
Tow package | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Towing limit | 3,500 lb | 4,400 lb | 4,400 lb |
Payload | 1,102 lb | 1,168 lb | 1,168 lb |
Calipers | Standard | Standard | Compass yellow calipers and accents |
Available interior | Black | Black / White | Black / White |
Available exterior colors | |||
Drive modes | 4 available | 5 available | 7 available |
Range | up to 345 mi (555 km) | 330 mi (531 km) | 330 mi (531 km) |
0 to 60 | 5.9 secs | 4.6 secs | 3.6 secs |
Torque | 355 lb-ft | 537 lb-ft | 609 lb-ft |
Horsepower | 350 hp | 450 hp | 656 hp |
Performance Trim
The Performance variant of the R2 also includes a few extra features, such as Semi-active suspension, Compass Yellow brake calipers and accents, and 21” All-season wheels and tires as standard (with the 20” AT tires on the Bicolor Carbon rims available as an option).
In addition, Launch Green Paint is exclusively available on the R2 Launch Edition.
Head-to-Head: Performance & Range
When it comes to speed and towing, the Premium trim has a clear advantage. Its Dual-Motor AWD setup pushes 450 horsepower and launches from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The single-motor Standard trim is noticeably slower, hitting 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
Because of its single-motor architecture, the Standard trim also yields lower baseline payload and towing capabilities than the beefier dual-motor setup.
However, the Standard trim counters with an efficiency advantage. If you opt for the R2 Standard Long Range, it boasts an estimated 345 miles of range. This is actually higher than the Premium's 330 miles on the exact same battery pack, purely thanks to the lighter weight and efficiency of the single-motor RWD setup.
The Rear Glass & Wiper Setup
One of the most interesting physical differences between the two trims involves the rear windshield wiper. Because the Premium trim's rear window fully drops down into the door, Rivian had to engineer a complex hidden wiper housed inside the tailgate that pops up to clean the glass.
Because the Standard trim has fixed rear glass, it utilizes a distinctly different setup. The Standard trim's wiper is attached in a more traditional housing directly below the glass. From a long-term maintenance and winter-weather perspective, many users might consider the Standard trim's simpler fixed-wiper setup better and less prone to ice buildup than the Premium's hidden drop-glass mechanism.
The Final Verdict
The Premium trim is tailored for buyers who want the quintessential Rivian adventure experience. It offers AWD performance, wood interiors, premium audio, Matrix headlights, and the open-air freedom of the drop-down rear window.
The Standard trim is more of a pragmatic daily driver. By ditching the heavy AWD motors, luxury audio, and complex tailgate glass, it maximizes range and significantly cuts the price tag. This makes it arguably the smartest buy for city dwellers and road trippers who simply do not plan on rock crawling.
