Rivian officially launched the R2 on Thursday at SXSW, confirming specifications for its Performance variant that had been leaked a day earlier.
The R2 Performance starts at $57,990 (excluding destination and freight charge of $1,495) with a limited-time Launch Package and will be the first variant available when deliveries begin this spring.
A dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, launching the midsize SUV from 0 to 60 mph in as quick as 3.6 seconds. EPA-estimated range is up to 330 miles.
Launch Package
The Performance variant debuts with a Launch Package at $57,990 that Rivian described as available for a limited time.
It includes a lifetime subscription to Autonomy+, the company’s advanced driver-assistance system, a special Rivian Green anodised key fob, exclusive access to a Launch Green exterior colour as a paid upgrade, and a tow package rated at 4,400 lbs.
The lifetime Autonomy+ inclusion is a notable differentiator. Rivian has not disclosed the standalone cost of Autonomy+, but the feature will otherwise be available as a one-time fee or monthly subscription once the Launch Package is no longer offered.
Standard Equipment
The Performance trim comes with semi-active suspension, an Esker Silver exterior as the default colour, Compass Yellow brake callipers and exterior badging, and 21-inch Liquid Tungsten all-season wheels.
Interior equipment includes a new premium cabin with Birch wood accents in a Black Crater Signature colourway, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and 12-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support.
The audio system is a Rivian Premium Audio setup with nine speakers, two midwoofers and two subwoofers in a force-balanced configuration, producing 975 watts.
Exterior features include Dynamic Adventure Lighting with adaptive high beams and matrix LED headlights, a rear drop glass that opens independently of the tailgate, integrated tow hooks, and a Rivian Torch flashlight housed in the driver’s door.
The R2 Performance offers eight drive modes: All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, All-Terrain, Rally, Soft Sand, Sport, and Launch Mode.
Options and Colours
Beyond the standard Esker Silver and the Launch Package-exclusive Launch Green, the R2 Performance is available in six additional exterior colours: Borealis, Catalina Cove, Forest Green, Glacier White, Half Moon Grey, and Midnight.
An alternative interior — Birch wood accents in a Coastal Cloud Signature colourway — is also offered.
Optional equipment includes 20-inch Black Sand all-terrain wheels and the tow package with 4,400 lbs capacity for buyers who do not select the Launch Package.
What Comes Next
Rivian has confirmed two additional R2 variants.
The Premium trim, priced at $53,990, is expected in late 2026 with 450 horsepower, 537 lb-ft of torque, 20-inch wheels, and the same 87.9 kWh battery and 330-mile range as the Performance but without semi-active suspension or the Rally, Soft Sand, and Launch drive modes.
The Standard variant — the long-awaited $45,000 entry point — is not expected until late 2027 with a smaller battery and an estimated range of approximately 265 miles.
CEO RJ Scaringe had described the timeline as ‘shortly thereafter’ during a February CNBC interview, language the Ars Technica leak revealed to mean roughly 18 months after the spring 2026 launch.
The R2 Performance at $57,990 sits almost exactly at the price of the Tesla Model Y Performance at $57,490 — the vehicle Rivian has explicitly targeted as its primary competitor. The $45,000 base, when it arrives, will still carry a $5,000 premium over the Model Y Standard at $39,990.
