Rivian is getting ready to launch its most important vehicle to date, and as we get closer to the first deliveries, we are starting to see the clever design details that set the R2 apart. While most of the hype has been around its price and “Drop Glass” rear window, the vehicle's front trunk (frunk) is proving to be a standout feature for everyday usability.
According to automotive content creator JoshWest247, who recently got hands-on with the SUV at SXSW 2026, the frunk was a major focus for Rivian’s design team. Jeff Hammud, Rivian's chief designer, intentionally kept the front end a bit taller to maximize practical storage. "Whether you're a weekend warrior or you're out in the woods or just hauling stuff through the city, we've got a huge amount of additional storage space here," West noted in his deep dive.
Size and Capacity
Rivian’s goal for the R2 was to create a vehicle that can haul a family’s worth of gear without the massive footprint of the R1S. The company estimates that between the frunk and the rear cargo area, you can fit five suitcases, three backpacks, and a stroller.
Rivian Wave
According to one of our sources at Rivian, the R2 frunk offers 5.2 cu-ft (147 liters) of capacity. For comparison, that’s much smaller than the R1S frunk (11.1 cu-ft), but larger than the frunk found on Tesla’s Model Y at 4.1 cu-ft (compare R2 to Model Y).
Based on those numbers, the rough dimensions of the storage tub are approximately 52" wide by 18" long and 12" deep. The shape is a clean, deep rectangle that makes it perfect for grocery bags or a standard carry-on suitcase.
Opening and Closing
Unlike the trunk, the R2 frunk isn't fully "powered" in the sense that a motor lifts and lowers it like a garage door, but it feels remarkably close. It uses a power release system — you simply press a capacitive button marked with three lines on the outside of the vehicle to unlatch it, and the hood lifts open automatically. This allows you to drop your bags inside even when your hands are mostly full. There’s also an emergency open button on the inside of the frunk for safety.
Rivian Wave
For closing, Rivian has implemented a soft-close mechanism. You can lower the hood (even with a single finger) until it reaches the latch; at that point, the car takes over and "sucks" the hood down to a secure seal. You can also open the frunk remotely via the Rivian mobile app or through a button on the internal screen.
Rivian could eventually also add a hands-free "auto-open" feature for the frunk and trunk using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, similar to what Tesla offers. This would allow the frunk to pop open automatically as you approach with your phone in your pocket, making the space even more convenient.
Evolution from Prototype to Production
Comparing the production-intent design to the early prototype we saw back in 2024 reveals some smart refinements. One of the most obvious changes is the windshield washer fluid fill, which has been moved from the rear of the bay to the very front passenger side. This ensures you don't have to lean over a potentially dirty car to top up your fluids.
The frunk on an R2 prototype from 2024
Rivian Wave
Rivian also cleaned up the interior aesthetic by removing the embossed logo from the topside inner lining and adding a replaceable protective material. This liner acts as a buffer, preventing cargo from scuffing the hood when it vibrates against the inside of the frunk during off-road adventures.
A Truncated Timeline for the R2 Family
Rivian is currently preparing for a phased rollout of the R2, and the good news is that this well-designed frunk should be standard across the entire lineup. The journey begins later this spring with the R2 Performance. This $57,990 flagship features dual-motor AWD, a 3.6-second 0–60 mph time, and an exclusive Launch Package for early reservation holders.
Rivian Wave
The rest of the family will follow through 2027:
R2 Premium ($53,990): Arriving late 2026.
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Expected in early 2027 with a lineup-defining 345-mile range.
R2 Standard ($45,000): The base model, anticipated for late 2027.
The R2 launch is critical for Rivian’s bottom line as it moves toward the mass market. By focusing on practical features like a hands-free opening frunk and easy-access washer fluid reservoirs, the company is making a strong case for itself against established competitors.
If you want to see the frunk in person, Rivian is taking the R2 on a nationwide tour with "Block Party" events in cities like Venice, Denver, and Chicago. It is a great opportunity to see if this "new standard" for storage lives up to the hype before the first Performance units hit the driveway this spring.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Rivian news, upcoming features and software updates.
Rivian has officially broken through one of the oldest barriers in the automotive industry. After a multi-year standoff, the electric vehicle maker — alongside rival Lucid — can now sell its cars directly to consumers in Washington state.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the victory came after Rivian threatened to take the issue directly to voters via a ballot measure. Faced with the prospect of a public vote that would likely favor consumers, the state’s powerful dealer lobby "blinked" and dropped its opposition, even encouraging lawmakers to approve the new measure.
Following the Tesla Precedent
For decades, most U.S. states have relied on franchise laws that require new cars to be sold through independent, third-party dealerships. However, a 2014 grandfathered exemption in Washington state law created a unique loophole that allowed Tesla to bypass these rules and sell directly to consumers.
At the time, the special provision was granted specifically because Tesla was the only electric-only automaker seeking to enter the market. By successfully piggybacking on this legal precedent, Rivian and Lucid have effectively ended Tesla's "exclusive" status, proving that the same rules can now apply to the next generation of EV startups.
The change was not welcomed by everyone. Traditional giants like Ford, General Motors, and Toyota lobbied against the move, arguing it creates an unfair playing field. However, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has remained committed to this model, arguing that direct sales are more profitable and allow the company to control the entire customer experience — from marketing to maintenance.
With more affordable R2 variants like the $45,000 Standard model arriving through 2027, Rivian needs to be able to sell to as many people as possible without the added complexity of a dealership network. Washington is a huge market for EVs, and being able to finalize a sale in person rather than forcing customers to "order online" while standing in a showroom is a massive advantage.
What This Means for Other States
Rivian isn't stopping at the Pacific Northwest. Following this win, the company is eyeing other states that allow ballot initiatives, including Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. If the "threat of a vote" strategy worked in Washington, it could become the blueprint for dismantling direct-sales bans across the country.
“The writing was on the wall” for dealers, noted Republican state lawmaker Andrew Barkis. While the current law specifically protects local family businesses by barring future entrants from using the same loophole, the door is now open for Rivian to scale its operations just in time for its biggest launch yet.
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
Rivian Wave
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.
![Watch the Rivian R1S in Action in Rocket League [VIDEO]](https://www.rivianwave.com/img/paths/storage/r1s/rivian-r1s-rocket-league-5.webp/78f291c2934ea258d5ae0d2ac6383767/rivian-r1s-rocket-league-5.jpg)
