The Rivian R2 Is The Affordable Rivian You've Been Waiting For

Today, Rivian announced its next electric vehicles: a small SUV starting around $45,000 called the R2, a CUV it calls the R3, and a performance off-roader based on the latter called the R3X. The R2 was a known quantity, especially after so many of its specifics were found yesterday embedded in the HTML code on Rivian’s website.

For starters, much of what was revealed in yesterday’s leak has come to fruition, albeit with a lower starting price (the leaks showed an MSRP of $47,500). The R2 rides on its own, smaller platform, which is shared with the R3. To use a rough approximation, the R2 is just about the size of a modern Toyota RAV4, with a slightly lower roof and longer wheelbase. The R2 will offer a few drive configurations, ranging from single, dual, and tri-motor setups with rear or all-wheel drive. Rivian puts range estimates for the entire R2 range at above 300 miles, likely due to larger battery cells than those currently in use in its R1 vehicles. Other notable tech features divulged by the company’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, include a full suite of 11 cameras and 5 radar sensors he says will enable a “very high level” of hands-free self-driving.

Rivian has focused a lot of attention on providing storage solutions for its buyers, notably after feedback about the R1’s lack of a glovebox. Here, there are two: one center-mounted under the screen and another in the usual spot, so there’s plenty of room for REI receipts and Yeti water bottles alike. Like the R1, there’s also a frunk, though one smaller than the R1’s. During the truck’s livestream debut, it was shown with two carry-on-size suitcases and a few backpacks in it. The rear glass also lowers for loading, and the quarter windows open electronically to let in the breeze. If that isn’t enough room, the R2’s seats fold flat. All of them. It’s an impressive feature, to be sure. Unfortunately, more info on the interior wasn’t provided, save new haptic wheel controls. From the sound of things, they’ll adjust the level of feedback given based on a few parameters.

A few accessories for the R2 (and R3) have been shown as well, including a bike rack, roof bars, and what looked to be a hitch-mounted kitchen. We’re sure details on these will be coming later, but some important ones were missing from today’s reveal, and it isn’t clear when Rivian will fill in the blanks. The R2’s battery size and other specs have not been listed as of publishing, and specifics on power figures, infotainment specs, and more were notably absent. We can only assume these details will trickle out as the car’s official delivery date in the first half of 2026 gets closer.

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