Electric vehicle specialist Rivian takes a major step closer to volume sales and financial stability with just-revealed details on prices, power and features of its R2 compact SUV.
Going on sale with the top of the line Performance model in spring 2026, the R2 lineup will eventually grow to include:
Built in Normal, Illinois, the five-passenger R2 is a make or break project for Rivian, the bold EV startup that made headlines when it debuted with electric Amazon delivery vans, luxury SUVs and pickups.
Rivian R2 prices and trim levels
Prices exclude $1,495 destination charge.
Source: Rivian
Rivian R2 trim levels, prices and more
Sales begin with the $57,990 top of the line Performance model this spring. It boasts 656 horsepower, 609 pound-feet of torque, all-wheel drive and 330 miles estimated range. All prices exclude $1,495 destination charge.
The 2027 R2 Premium stickers at $53,990. It will have AWD, 450 hp 537 pound-feet of torque and 330 miles range when it goes on sale late this year.
The 2028 R2 Standard will arrive early in 2027 with RWD, 350 hp, 355 pound-feet and 345 miles range.
The $45,000 base R2 will be available in late 2027 as a 2028 model. Also called “Standard,” it will have rear-wheel drive and 350 hp and 355 pound-feet of torque and range of more than 275 miles.
Rivian builds the R2 on a new platform.
Rivian R2 acceleration details
Rivian R2 competition
The R2 will compete with vehicles ranging from EVs to gasoline-powered luxury and performance SUVs.
Targets include the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q5 and BMX X3 and i3; Cadillac Optiq; Chevrolet Equinox EV; Mercedes GLC, and Toyota BZ Woodland.
2027 Rivian R2 Performance key features
Rivian’s signature design style, but smaller
The R2’s exterior and interior styling and features build on Rivian’s larger established R1S midsize luxury SUV, which starts at $75,900.
The R2 is 185.9 inches long, 1.1 inch longer than a Honda CR-V and 14.9 inches shorter than the R1S, which has three rows of seats.
The exterior features Rivian’s signature rectangular ring headlights.
The leather-free interior has birch wood and textile accents and upholstery.
The rear window drops into the tailgate for better air circulation.
Rivian’s hands-free highway driving system works on 3.5 million miles of roads in the United States and Canada.
Rivian expects to offer a virtual assistant soon. It and other new features will be delivered in over-the-air updates.
Rivian calls its hands-free system Autonomy+. It’s available for $49.99 a month or a one-time fee of $2,000.
Rivian’s future depends on the R2
If the R2 succeeds, lingering questions about Rivian’s ability to survive should dissipate. The automaker’s midsize R1S pickup and R1T SUV have impressive performance and technology, but prices ranging from around $80K-$110K have limited sales and kept the automaker in the red.
The R2 is the first of several smaller and less expensive vehicles developed to make Rivian a mainstream brand, challenging popular models from mass-market and luxury brands.
Rivian now builds the R2 alongside the R1 pickup and SUV in Illinois. The automaker plans a sprawling second plant in Georgia if the new compacts take off.
A smaller vehicle called R3 is also in the works. Based on my walk around the prototype on stage at its debut in Laguna Beach, California, two years ago, the R3 will be around the size of a VW Golf, with a slightly taller, SUV-style stance.
2027 Rivian R2 Performance at a glance
Four-wheel drive five-seat compact electric SUV
Powerplant: Electric motor on each axle
Power: 656 hp, 609 pound-feet of torque
Estimated battery range: 330 miles
Battery: 87.9 kWh lithium-ion
Charging time: Eight hours at 240 volts; 20-80% in about 45 minutes at 350 kW
0-60 mph: 3.65 seconds
Wheelbase: 115.6 inches
Length: 185.9 inches
Width: 84.7 inches
Height: 66.9 inches
Ground clearance: 9.6 inches
Cargo space: 28.7 cubic feet behind rear seat; 79.4 cubic feet with seats folded.
Front trunk: 5.2 cubic feet
Curb weight: NA
Towing capacity: 4,400 pounds
Assembled in Normal, Illinois
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rivian R2 electric SUV lineup promises $45K base price, whopping hp
Reporting by Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
