Rivian's R2 is the EV maker's cheapest model to date with a starting price of $45,000.
Elliot Ross Studio, INC/photography by Elliot Ross
Rivian is launching its new R2 SUV, with deliveries for the performance trim starting this spring.
R2 starts at $45K, targets up to 330 EPA-est. range, and charges 10% to 80% in 29 minutes.
All models come with hardware that enables Rivian's hands-free driving system.
Rivian is getting closer to the launch of its highly anticipated SUV, the R2, the company'smost inexpensive model to date.
It's also Rivian's most important.
CEO RJ Scaringe previously told Business Insider that the R2 is the company's "inflection point" — the car that could determine the fate of the EV maker's future.
"For us to become a company of the scale we aspire to be, which is producing many millions of cars a year, we're not going to get there with a $90,000 single flagship product," he said. "We need R2, we need R3. And so R2 is the critical step to get there, and if we don't make that step, if we don't launch R2, we'll stay a fairly small company."
Rivian plans to launch four variants of the R2: standard, standard long-range, premium, and performance.
Here's everything you need to know about Rivian's latest SUV.
When will R2 be available?Rivian is releasing four trims for the R2.
Elliot Ross Studio, INC/photography by Elliot Ross
Rivian is staggering the launch of each package.
The performance package, which comes with a dual-motor system delivering 656 horsepower, will be available in spring 2026, the company said, while the premium package — also a dual-motor system but with 450 horsepower — is expected in late 2026.
The R2 standard, long-range variant, will be available early 2027, and the lowest standard package will be available late 2027.
Availability of exterior colors depends on the trim but will come in Rivian's existing exterior colors — Borealis, Forest Green, Glacier White, and Midnight — and three new colors: Catalina Cove, Half Moon Grey, and Esker Silver.
How much is the R2?
Rivian
Prices will range from $45,000 to $57,990, depending on the trim level.
R2 Performance (Launch Package): $57,990
R2 Premium: $53,990
R2 Standard (RWD Long Range): $48,490
R2 Standard (RWD): $45,000
This would make R2 the cheapest car in Rivian's lineup, even with the model's top trim offering. Rivian R1T's starting price is $72,990.
Every variant will come with a $1,495 freight charge. There's also a $100 refundable deposit to reserve an R2.
How big is the R2?Rivian said R2 comes with 90.1 cubic feet of enclosed storage.
Elliot Ross Studio, INC/photography by Elliot Ross
R2 is Rivian's smallest car to date. The SUV can seat five people, including adults who are over 6 feet tall, according to the company.
Compared to the R1S SUV, which seats 7 people, the R2 is about 15 inches shorter in length and about 10 inches shorter in height.
The company said R2 is about two tons lighter than the R1 and has 9.6 inches of ground clearance.
The R2 comes with 90.1 cubic feet of enclosed storage. The rear cargo, without the second row folded down, is 28.7 cubic feet. With the seats folded, storage is 79.4 cubic feet.
The frunk has 5.2 cubic feet of storage. Rivian said the space can fit a carry-on suitcase and a backpack or up to six grocery bags.
What is R2's range?R2 comes with NACS, or Tesla-style, charging port for fast-charging.
Elliot Ross Studio, INC/photography by Elliot Ross
EPA-estimated range for the performance and premium trim is up to 330 miles, according to Rivian.
EPA ranges for the standard long-range and the standard trims have not been released. Rivian said its own estimates put the long-range package at up to 345 miles and the standard package at 275+ miles.
R2 has a native NACS, or Tesla-style, charging port, with a 10% to 80% charge time of 29 minutes.
How fast is the R2?R2's highest trim can go 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, while the standard trims can do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, the company said.
Elliot Ross Studio, INC/photography by Elliot Ross
The performance trim has a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. The premium trim has a 4.6-second time, while the standard long-range and the standard can go 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, the company said.
What are R2's self-driving features?R2 will come with hardware that can support the company's advanced driver assistance system.
Autonomy+ works on over 3.5 million miles of roads across the US and Canada and supports hands-free driving on roads with clearly-marked lines, the company said. It can be bought as a subscription for $49.99 a month or as a one-time purchase for $2,500.
Rivian previously said it expects to release an R2 equipped with lidar, a sensor found in fully-autonomous cars, in the future.
A Rivian spokesperson told Business Insider that the first phase of R2 will be capable of point-to-point autonomy or hands-free driving from one destination to another.
The next phase of R2 variants will come with lidar and Rivian's next-generation computer to support eyes-off driving.