Rivian is officially taking its next-generation SUV on the road to meet its future owners. After months of digital renders and stage presentations, the automaker has announced a cross-country tour dubbed the "R2 Block Party." These events will give reservation holders and enthusiasts a chance to see the vehicle in person, explore the cabin, and check out the new color palette before deliveries begin.
According to the official announcement from Rivian, the tour is designed for the R2 to be "seen in the wild, under the sun and surrounded by friends." This comes after Rivian recently showed off the R2 in all of its colorways at SXSW 2026 after the official unveiling. While the company isn't offering demo drives as part of its R2 Block Parties, the events will feature live music and local food to create a community atmosphere.
R2 Block Party Schedule
The tour kicks off in California and moves through major hubs across the U.S. throughout April and May. If you have an R2 reservation, you should check your inbox, as Rivian is reportedly sending out RSVP links to those in the area.
The current schedule includes:
Venice, CA: April 3 – 5
Denver, CO: April 17 – 19
Chicago, IL: April 24 – 26
Long Island, NY: May 1 – 3
Atlanta, GA: May 8 – 10
Miami, FL: May 15 – 17
Nashville, TN: May 22 – 24
Meet the R2 Performance
The star of these shows will be the R2 Performance, the flagship trim that will be the first to reach customers. Priced at $57,990, this dual-motor AWD beast packs a serious punch with 656 hp and a 0–60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds. It also features a semi-active suspension and the signature "Drop Glass" rear window that rolls completely down into the liftgate, which is perfect for hauling long gear like surfboards.
Early buyers who get in on the first wave of orders will also receive an exclusive "Launch Package." This trim is slated for delivery in late Spring 2026. Rivian estimates the R2 Performance will have an EPA range of around 330 miles, though some variants might push that even further.
Rivian’s R2 Rollout Timeline
The R2 is critical for Rivian’s future, as the company is banking on this platform to reach profitability in the near future. Following the Performance trim, Rivian will roll out a variety of other variants to hit different price points.
R2 Premium ($53,990): Launching in late 2026 with 450 hp.
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Targeted for early 2027 with a Rivian-estimated 345 miles of range.
R2 Standard ($45,000): The most affordable base model, expected to arrive in late 2027.
For a deeper dive into the specific differences between these versions, you can check out our full R2 trim comparison.
Rivian’s decision to move toward a more affordable, midsize SUV is a smart play to compete with the Tesla Model Y. By getting the car in front of people now through these Block Parties, Rivian is building the necessary hype to sustain its long production roadmap. If you’re lucky enough to live near one of these tour stops, it’s worth a visit just to see if the "drop glass" is as cool in person as it looks in the marketing.
