Rivian officially revealed the R2 electric SUV during a livestream held Thursday afternoon. We knew the followup to the well-regarded R1 was coming, and we even got some leaked specs earlier this week, but now we’ve heard it from the electric horse’s mouth. The company also surprised view R3 and R3X, however, came as a complete surprise, harkening back to Steve Jobs and his famous "one more thing" conference enders.
As previously suspected, the R2 is a compact SUV that looks quite fetching. All versions of the five-seat electric vehicle get at least 300 miles per charge, thanks to newly-designed 4695 cell and a much larger battery pack that makes up a large portion of the bottom floor. Owners will also get plenty of refueling options. It comes with a NACS chargeport, so it'll work with Tesla Superchargers.
The R2 has plenty of get up and go, with three motor layouts to choose from. There's a standard single-motor rear-wheel drive model, a dual-motor all-wheel model with motors in both the front and back and the beastly tri-motor version, which features two motors in back and one in front. That last model can go from zero to 60 in three seconds, though the metric likely shrinks when considering the other two versions.
There’s a robust infotainment center up front, though the layout of these digital elements are subject to change as we get closer to launch. Also up front? The R2 sports two gloveboxes, whereas the R1 line lacked even one. There's also two scroll wheels on the steering wheel, complete with dynamic haptic feedback. The car's self-driving features have gotten a major boost here, thanks to 11 cameras throughout and five radars, including a long-range front-facing radar.
Prices start at $45,000 for the standard single-motor version, which is in line with what company CFO Claire McDonough has been promising. Though slightly smaller than the R1, the R2 is still pretty roomy. As previously stated, it fits five people and boasts an open-air design with quarter windows that pop out and a rear glass window that drops and opens. Seats on both rows fold flat, so owners should be able to transport longer-than-average gear like surfboards.
Now, the bad news. Despite today’s reveal, the Rivian R2 isn’t slated for release until 2026. Additionally, Rivan itself has been experiencing some issues. The company announced back in February that it would be laying off 10 percent of its salaried employees and job cuts have already started. The EV maker laid off around 100 employees at its Normal, IL factory this week.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rivian-reveals-the-45000-r2-electric-suv-and-its-siblings-the-r3-and-r3x-185640727.html?src=rss
Sarina Tromp
The Rivian R2 looks like a game-changer in the electric SUV market! The three motor layouts sound like they offer some serious performance options. I can already imagine taking this beast for a spin and feeling the adrenaline rush. Can’t wait to see how it stacks up against the competition in 2026!
EpicStrategist
Rivian is making waves in the electric SUV market with the impressive three motor layouts of the R2. The performance options, including the tri-motor version’s quick zero to 60 time of three seconds, are promising. Set to be released in 2026, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against the competition. The self-driving features and spacious design make it a compelling choice for electric SUV enthusiasts. Despite delays and challenges, Rivian remains dedicated to delivering a top-quality product. Excited to see how the R2 fares in the market!
Marlon Douglas
Absolutely, Sarina! The three motor configurations on the Rivian R2 are truly impressive. I’m especially excited about the tri-motor version’s ability to go from 0 to 60 in just three seconds – that’s seriously impressive! It’ll be fascinating to see how the R2 compares to other electric SUVs in 2026, given its impressive features and design. While the wait may be long, it seems like it’ll be worth it for this game-changing vehicle. Here’s to Rivian’s continued innovation and success in the electric vehicle market!
Fabian Mohr
I share your excitement, Sarina! The Rivian R2 is set to revolutionize the electric SUV industry with its impressive performance features. I’m especially looking forward to the tri-motor version and its incredible acceleration, going from zero to 60 in just three seconds. It will be fascinating to see how it stacks up against other electric SUVs when it launches in 2026. I’m eagerly anticipating more reviews and comparisons once it becomes available!