Electric vehicle maker Rivian has revealed pricing and trim levels for its highly anticipated R2 midsize electric SUV, a vehicle designed to expand the company’s customer base and compete directly with Tesla’s popular Model Y.
The new R2 will start at around $45,000, making it one of Rivian’s most affordable electric vehicles. However, the entry-level model will not reach customers until late 2027, meaning buyers interested in the cheapest version will need to wait several years.
Rivian hopes the R2 will help it enter the mainstream electric SUV market by offering a more affordable option than its larger, more expensive models, such as the R1S and R1T.
Multiple Versions of the R2
The R2 lineup will launch with several different trims offering varying levels of performance and pricing.
The top-tier R2 Performance model will start at about $57,990 and feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs in its category.
This version also includes an estimated driving range of 330 miles on a single charge. Another variant, the R2 Premium, will arrive in late 2026 with a starting price of around $53,990. This model offers a dual-motor setup with 450 horsepower and a similar estimated range of 330 miles.
Entry-Level Model Arrives Later
The more affordable R2 Standard trim will arrive later in 2027 and will feature a single rear motor producing 350 horsepower.
Despite being the entry-level option, Rivian says the Standard Long Range version could achieve up to 345 miles of range, the longest in the lineup.
A separate base variant with a smaller battery pack is expected to cost around $45,000 and deliver approximately 265 miles of range.
While the cheaper versions are coming later, Rivian believes they will help the company attract a much wider audience.
Competing With Tesla’s Best-Selling EV
The R2 has been designed specifically to compete with the Tesla Model Y, currently the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States.
The Model Y rear-wheel drive starts at around $39,990, which is still cheaper than Rivian’s planned base R2 model.
However, the all-wheel-drive Model Y costs around $48,990, which places it closer to the price of Rivian’s Premium R2 trim.
Rivian believes its adventurous design, performance capabilities, and longer driving range could help attract buyers looking for something different from Tesla’s minimalist vehicles.
Design and Technology
The R2 maintains Rivian’s signature adventure-focused design language, similar to the larger R1S SUV.
Inside the vehicle, Rivian offers high-quality materials, including wood accents, vegan leather, and two large digital screens for the infotainment system and driver display.
The vehicle also introduces improved software and technology features developed internally by Rivian.
Like Tesla, Rivian does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, instead relying on its own software interface integrated with Google navigation and apps such as Spotify.
The SUV also offers impressive interior space and storage, including a front trunk (frunk), underfloor cargo storage, and fold-flat rear seats.
Performance and Utility
Performance remains one of the key selling points of the R2 lineup.
The Performance model’s 656 horsepower makes it extremely quick, matching high-performance electric SUVs currently available in the market.
Rivian also confirmed that the R2 will support towing capacities of up to 4,400 pounds, higher than the Tesla Model Y’s 3,500-pound rating.
Additionally, the vehicle will include the North American Charging Standard port, allowing owners to use Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.
Rivian’s Future Strategy
Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said the R2 represents years of lessons learned from the company’s earlier electric vehicles.
The company hopes the smaller and more affordable R2 will dramatically expand its market presence.
Electric vehicle sales have slowed somewhat in the United States recently, creating challenges for many manufacturers.
Rivian still has strong brand appeal among EV enthusiasts, particularly those interested in adventure-style vehicles designed for outdoor activities.
If the R2 successfully attracts mainstream buyers, it could become Rivian’s most important vehicle and a major competitor in the growing electric SUV market.
