Between the antics particular to a certain car company and the industrial chaos that was set off by COVID (then compounded by the invasion of Ukraine) it’s easy to have become cynical about things like timelines. And yet, when Rivian showed off a midsize electric vehicle in 2024 and said it would go on sale during the first half of 2026, it meant it: deliveries of the first R2 SUVs will begin this spring.
As a new automaker Rivian often does things its own way, but with the R2 launch it’s following industry practice and starting with the more superlative version first. That’s the R2 Performance, which starts at $57,990 with the launch package (but not including a $1,495 delivery charge). You get quite a lot of electric SUV for that, however: up to 330 miles (531 km) from a single charge of the 87.9 kWh battery pack, with 656 hp (489 kW) and 609 lb-ft (825 Nm) from the dual motor powertrain. Fast charging takes 29 minutes from 10-80 percent.
The Performance features semi-active suspension, a rear window that drops into the tailgate, an interior with birch accents, heating for the front and rear seats with ventilation for the former as well, a nine-speaker sound system, matrix LED headlights, and some other neat touches like the flashlight that lives in the side of the door, similar to the way some cars hide an umbrella there.
Rivian
The R2 is 185.9 inches (4,722 mm) long, 78.1 inches (1,905 mm) wide, and 66.9 inches (1,699 mm) tall, with a 115.6-inch (2,936 mm) wheelbase.
Rivian
Rivian
The R2 has 9.6 inches (244 mm) of ground clearance, but you’ll want AWD if you want the all-terrain mode.
Rivian
Rivian
Rivian has a new HMI—these scroll dials in the wheel are called “Halo wheels.”
Rivian
The R2 has 9.6 inches (244 mm) of ground clearance, but you’ll want AWD if you want the all-terrain mode.
Rivian
Rivian has a new HMI—these scroll dials in the wheel are called “Halo wheels.”
Rivian
Rivian
Rivian
Rivian
You can add Autonomy+ (the automaker’s partially automated driver assist), the tow package (4,400 lbs/1,995 kg), and some other colors as optional extras to the Performance trim; they’re silver by default. The launch package includes a lifetime subscription to Autonomy+ as well as the tow package, plus another optional body color.
In late 2026 the R2 Premium goes on sale at $53,990. This has the same 330-mile range and the same 87.9 kWh battery pack, but generates only 450 hp (355 kW) and 537 lb-ft (728 Nm) from its dual-motor powertrain. The R2 Premium does without the semi-active suspension, arrives on 20-inch instead of 21-inch wheels, and features fewer drive modes, doing without rally, soft sand, and launch modes, but otherwise shares its specs with the faster, more expensive R2 Performance.
