EV maker Rivian said on Monday that its upcoming mid-size R2 SUV has entered final validation testing, the last stage before production of customer units begins.
“With production around the corner, R2 has officially entered final validation,” the company said in a new blog post. “We’re beyond excited for customers to experience R2 for themselves very soon.”
Validation units began rolling off the Normal, Illinois production line in mid-January.
The update comes days after a sales representative at Rivian‘s King of Prussia Mall showroom in Pennsylvania told a customer that R2 deliveries would begin in “mid-April” — aligning with the company’s public guidance of “first half 2026.”
A media embargo on R2 lifts Tuesday, with first drive reviews expected from automotive publications.
Testing Program
Rivian said each R2 in its development fleet has accumulated “tens of thousands of miles” across extreme conditions, from Death Valley to Fairbanks, Alaska.
The model was spotted over the weekend undergoing cold weather testing in Fairbanks, Alaska.
“We’ve spent years putting R2 through nonstop testing,” the company said.
“With multiple lifetimes of mileage accumulation and extreme durability runs, it has been through scorching heat, bitter cold, soft sand, deep water, max towing, and much more,” Rivian added.
The vehicle was tested in temperatures ranging from -45°F (-43°C) to 122°F (50°C), with thermal systems designed to maintain cabin comfort and optimal performance in extreme conditions.
“Every R2 in our development fleet accumulates tens of thousands of miles,” said Peter Jacobsen, Senior Director of Global Test and Development.
“From Death Valley to Fairbanks, from Atlantic to Pacific, we’ve driven R2 relentlessly through the harshest conditions imaginable,” Jacobsen added.
R2 Chief Engineer Max Koff said the development fleet exceeded expectations.
“Our R2 development fleet has performed incredibly well through all our testing — better than we ever expected,” Koff said. “It has improved performance and reliability across the board. Customers are going to really benefit from it, which is exactly our goal.”
Design Philosophy
Rivian said R2 is “engineered for robust simplicity and long-term reliability, while being easier to build and service.”
The battery and electronics are protected from the elements, and the chassis and suspension are designed to absorb abuse from the road, the company said.
Aerodynamics testing in wind tunnels helped optimize the vehicle to reduce drag, improve range, and reduce wind noise.
“Thanks to robust hardware and our software-defined architecture, R2 inspires confidence on pavement and over rugged, off-road trails,” the company said. “We validate performance on sand, ice, rocks, and beyond.”
R2 Timeline
Rivian unveiled R2 in March 2024 alongside the smaller R3 and R3X crossovers.
The company originally planned to build R2 at a new factory in Georgia but later moved production to its existing Illinois facility, saving an estimated $2.25 billion in capital expenditures.
The Performance Dual Motor variant is expected to launch first. Pricing and availability for the $45,000 base trim this year has not been confirmed.
CEO RJ Scaringe’s personal R2 was spotted parked in Laguna Beach, California, on Sunday.
Photos shared on Reddit and the executive’s Instagram confirmed the vehicle’s rear drop glass feature, which operates independently of the tailgate — similar to the Toyota 4Runner.
