Rivian (RIVN) revealed trim levels and pricing on Thursday for its highly anticipated R2 midsize electric SUV, but the version with Tesla (TSLA) Model Y-killer pricing won’t be coming this year.
Rivian said the most affordable version of the R2, a Standard trim variant that starts around $45,000, won’t reach customers until late 2027 at the earliest — meaning buyers eager to get into the cheapest R2 will be waiting the better part of two years.
The EV maker is betting the R2 will dramatically expand its customer base by bringing its adventure-focused design and technology to a more accessible price point, though two higher-priced versions are coming this year.
“R2 embodies so many of our learnings,” Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited.”
The R2 Performance with Launch Package will start at $57,990 and is the top trim level. It features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, pushing the R2 from 0 to 60 mph in as quickly as 3.6 seconds.
The EPA-estimated range comes in at 330 miles, and the limited-time Launch Package sweetens the deal with lifetime access to Rivian’s Autonomy+ driver assistance subscription, a tow package rated at 4,400 pounds, and the exclusive Launch Green exterior color.
The R2 Premium, arriving in late 2026 at $53,990, offers a 450-horsepower dual-motor AWD setup with 537 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds while matching the Performance’s 330-mile EPA-estimated range.
The entry-level R2 Standard, arriving in the first half of 2027 at $48,490, comes with only a single rear-motor setup with 350 horsepower and an estimated range of up to 345 miles — the longest range in the lineup.
Rivian said an additional Standard variant will arrive in late 2027, starting at around $45,000 and offering about 265-plus miles of range, presumably with a smaller battery. Rivian did not offer additional details for this Standard variant.
Performance and Premium trims feature birchwood accents and premium materials across two signature interior themes — Black Crater and Coastal Cloud — while the Standard trim gets a simplified Black Crater interior with natural fiber accents.
Though Rivian has a strong fanbase and loyal buyers, the company will need to bite into sales of Tesla’s Model Y, the top-selling EV in America. The Model Y rear-wheel drive starts at $39,990 — significantly less than the cheapest R2 standard trim. However, the Model Y Premium all-wheel drive comes in at $48,990, comparing favorably to Rivian’s R2 Premium, which lists at $53,990.
The automaker is betting its fans — and those looking to get away from Tesla and its brand issues — will take a look at R2 when it comes out later this year.
Rivian said R2 reservations are open now with a $100 refundable deposit, and the R2 lineup will be on public display at SXSW 2026 from March 13 to 18.
