Rivian officially debuted the R2 mid-size SUV on Thursday, revealing the specifications and pricing options for the model, as well as the timeline for the launch of each variant.
The first trim to launch is the R2 Performance, which comes with a limited-time Launch Package and starts at $57,990.
Contrary to earlier speculation, customers will not yet be able to configure the model on Rivian’s website.
According to the company, and as first spotted by Rivian enthusiast and X user Chris Hilbert, the “R2 online configurator will open in the coming months.”
At the same time, and as part of its effort to assess demand for the launch trim, the company has begun contacting reservation holders to confirm their pre-orders.
Estimated Time to Order
Rivian says customers can place a reservation for the Launch Edition with a $100 refundable deposit — an option that was available even before the release of full details.
For those who had already reserved a vehicle, the company is now requesting confirmation of the delivery address and whether they are interested in the Launch Edition.
Rivian revealed in a customer e-mail that reservation holders will be able to access more details about placing their orders in June.
“In June, you’ll see your estimated time to order,” the company stated.
The timeline further indicates that orders are expected to enter production only in June, rather than within the next few months — thereby narrowing the window for deliveries to commence before the end of the first half of the year.
Earlier this year, the company had told local media outlet WGLT during an Illinois plant tour that the first customer deliveries of the model were “expected by June.”
Launch Event
The brand presented its new SUV in Austin, coinciding with the beginning of the 2026 edition of the SXSW Festival, of which it is the main sponsor.
The specs and pricing details for the R2 leaked one day ahead of the event, however.
“The R2 lineup will be on display to the public at SXSW 2026 from March 13-18, 2026 at the Rivian Roadhouse,” the company states.
Rivian will begin deliveries of the R2 Performance in the Spring, according to its website.
Two additional R2 variants are confirmed for launch in the next year and a half.
It includes a Premium trim, priced at $53,990, which is expected in late 2026, and a Standard variant, priced at $45,000, is expected in late 2027.
The entry-level R2 trim is the most anticipated, as Rivian has pledged to maintain its price despite various policy changes over the past year, which includes the elimination of the federal $7,500 credit on electric vehicle purchases and leasing contracts.
Earlier this year, CEO RJ Scaringe told CNBC that while the model would initially debut with a dual-motor, higher-priced trim, the $45,000 trim would follow “shortly thereafter.”
However, the current timeline suggests that this version could be up to 18 months away from launch.
