The Rivian R2 Has Arrived, and It’s Everything We Hoped and More

Rivian delights in a smaller, more affordable package? Sign us up.

By Tyler Duffy and Will Sabel Courtney

Published March 7, 2024

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Updated March 7, 2024

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Electric vehicle brand Rivian kicked things off strong back in 2021, when it launched with the adventure-themed R1T pickup and R1S SUV. But it’s hard to build a car company with a single model line — so it’s no surprise that the brand has no intentions of stopping there.

On March 7th, after months of rumors and teases, the brand finally revealed the next step in its product journey: the Rivian R2. If you know Rivian, you won’t find many surprises here — the new crossover is still very much a product of the company’s ethos to build adventurous, tech-focused, cleverly designed electric vehicles. But you will find a lot of the traits found on the R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck now trickling down to a lower price point.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Rivian R2.

The Rivian R2 is a smaller sibling to the R1S crossover

At a passing glance, you might not even realize that the new R2 isn’t an R1S — the two look very similar, at least at first blush. The R2 wears a straightforward two-box shape, and boasts the same friendly face as the R1S and R1T.

Look closer, and you’ll notice some differences, however. It’s about 400 millimeters shorter in length than an R1S and 137 millimeters shorter in height. The sides are a little more curved, and the overall design slightly more friendly.

One nice touch: the rear quarter windows pop open, like in an old minivan, while the rear window powers all the way up and down like in a Toyota 4Runner.

This Rivian offers single, dual and triple-motor

While the top-dog R1S and R1T offer buyers a choice of dual- or quad-motor electric drive systems, the new R2 comes with an even wider plethora of options: a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version and dual- and tri-motor all-wheel-drive variants.

That top-shelf powertrain enough power to send the R2 from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat, according to Rivian.

The R2 offers a claimed range of up more than 300 miles

The brand didn’t get specific about range at the launch event, but whichever powertrain you choose, Rivian claims that you’ll see more than 300 miles of range from the battery pack.

rivian r2 front three quarter view — The R2.

Inside, the R2 seats up to five, and improves on the R1 UI

There are giant scroll wheels on the 9 and 3 positions of the steering wheel for controlling the on-board system, which the brand says improve on the old system found in the R1S and R1T. Also, after customers complained about the lack of a glovebox in the first models, Rivian added not one but two to the R2.

Rivian R2 interior — The interior of the R2.

The R2 is meant for car camping

One fun detail CEO RJ Scaringe dropped during the R2’s reveal: not only do the rear seats fold flat, but the front seats do, as well, enabling people to comfortably lay out an air mattress. A bespoke rooftop tent is also being developed by the brand, as well as outdoor kitchen options, but those weren’t revealed at the launch.

The new Rivian R2 starts at an estimated $45,000

But perhaps the biggest news with this new EV is the price. With a starting MSRP of comfortably under $50,000, the R2 lands smack dab at the heart of the new car market; the average new car price these days is around $48,000. (Granted, that’s for the base model version, and that certainly could change before the car reaches the road.)

Oh, there’s also a Rivian R3

rivian r3 front three quarter view — The R3.

Scaringe pulled a “one more thing” worthy of Steve Jobs at the launch event: he rolled out a second, unexpected car. Called the R3, it uses the R2’s platform, but wraps it in a compact four-door-SUV-coupe-like body for a leaner look. Pricing wasn’t announced, but Rivian’s Instagram account says it’ll be offered “at a lower price point” than R2, and arrive after the R2 enters production.

It also comes in an R3X version, designed to be the performance variant; it features a wider track and standard tri-motor powertrain, and looks like a rally car crossed with a Bronco Raptor. Not surprisingly, we’re already obsessed.

Rivian R2

The R2 is Rivian’s midsize two-row crossover. It offers a plethora of powertrain options, and is designed to bring the design and many of the features of the R1S to a more affordable market.