Rivian R2 launch: Here’s what you get for $57,990

Two years after revealing what its next-generation affordable EV will look like, Rivian has shared all the pricing, colors, and performance specs for its upcoming R2 SUV. And like many new car releases, it’s complicated.

Bottom line: Rivian’s bid to sell a more affordable EV that is accessible to a broader market will cost between $45,000 and $57,990. Prices vary depending on performance and other interior and exterior touches.

Rivian will eventually offer several versions of its R2 midsize SUV to consumers. But the first ones available to consumers this spring (the exact month hasn’t been determined yet, but it’s likely June 2026) will be the most expensive. An all-wheel-drive dual-motor EV with an EPA-estimated range of up to 330 miles, the R2 Performance in Launch Package trim starts at $57,990. Rivian will eventually drop the Launch Edition label and simply sell the Performance trim, but pricing details have not yet been released.

Rivian said production and delivery of the premium version of the R2, a dual-motor AWD SUV that also has less horsepower but the same 330 miles of range, will begin in late 2026, with prices starting at $53,990.

The automaker will then offer two different standard versions of the R2. The main difference here is the battery range. The “long-range” version of the R2 will have a range of 345 miles and a starting price of $48,490, with production expected to begin in early 2027. A cheaper $45,000 standard version with an estimated range of 450 miles is expected to go into production in late 2027, Rivian said.

It’s unclear whether Rivian will eventually manufacture that $45,000 version, and it may depend on how the initial rollout of the more expensive version goes.

Normal fare

Rivian is pretty fair across all trims, especially when it comes to the basics. All R2 trims are built on Rivian’s new midsize platform, which uses motors developed and manufactured in-house. They all feature an 87.9 kilowatt-hour battery pack and a native North American charging standard port (a charging standard that originated with Tesla). Battery range is also pretty close within the R2 trims, with the exception of the cheapest R2 standard version.

Specs change when looking at horsepower and torque. Performance Launch Edition is the fastest and most capable. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive models make 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. (Not everyone driving a midsize SUV needs to start off the line that way.)

The Rivian steps down a notch in Premium trim, but it still has dual-motor AWD, but this only makes 450 horsepower and 537 pound-feet of torque. This translates to a 0-60 mph trip of 4.6 seconds.

Finally, the standard long-range version is rear-wheel drive, producing 350 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. This version has an increased range of 345 miles. However, it’s slower off the line, taking 5.9 seconds to go from a standstill to 60 mph. (Rivian has not yet released specs for its cheapest R2.)

The Rivian R2 SUV is definitely a must-have vehicle for automakers, and one that automakers have set pretty high sales goals for this year. It must be persuasive enough to attract consumers, rather than shut them out with high prices. And if it wants to make a profit one day, it has to be cheaper to manufacture than the flagship model.

For Rivian, that sweet spot is a little different, but mostly above $50,000. Whether that’s the consumer sweet spot is another question. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car buyer paid $49,191 in January. This puts R2’s price slightly above its average price. Specifically, it is configured before the purchaser adds additional features to the vehicle configuration.

There are also plenty of opportunities to add upgrades.

Upgrade for everyone

Those looking to purchase an R2 will have many options to make the EV their own. And the price of each will gradually increase. For example, all versions of the EV come standard with a new color called Esker Silver.

If the buyer wants a different paint color, such as the special “Launch Green” on the Launch Edition, there will be an additional cost. Rivian is introducing three new colors: silver, a metallic blue called Catalina Cove, and a metallic gray called Half Moon Gray. It also allows buyers to choose other existing colors.

Buyers who choose the more expensive Performance Launch Edition and Premium models get the most “extras”, including a nine-speaker, two-midwoofer audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and 12-way adjustable seats. Both of these trims also come standard with a new interior that Rivian describes as birch accents. Both also feature a flashlight in the driver’s door, representing one of the original fun surprises of the luxury R1 trucks and SUVs.

All new R2s come with standard advanced driver assistance features, but you also have the option to upgrade. Rivian Autonomy+, which provides hands-free driving on select highways, costs a one-time fee of $2,500 or $49.99 per month. This is included for those who splurged on the Performance Start Edition.

One final note about this company’s autonomy package. There is a slight gap in the hardware. Let me explain. Rivian plans to begin shipping R2 vehicles equipped with the appropriate hardware to support higher levels of autonomous driving in late 2026. The company has been calling it “Personal L4,” which means the vehicle can be operated in specific environments without human intervention, following a level set by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan.

But this personal L4 is only possible with the right computers and sensors. Last December, Rivian announced its third-generation “autonomous computer” (ACM3), which can process 5 billion pixels per second. Its computer and lidar sensor will be installed on the Rivian R2 in late 2026.

That means it won’t be included in the performance launch version that will be released in the spring. Barclays analyst Dan Levy said in a research note this week that many technology-focused buyers may choose to wait for the better ADAS capabilities of third-generation hardware R2 rather than buying an earlier R2 with second-generation autonomy.

Of course, this more capable (in terms of self-driving) R2 is likely to come at a higher price point, potentially pushing consumers towards a cheaper version.