The R2
Rivian’s new midsize crossover performed well despite a high starting price. For now, the model starts at $59,485 for the R2 Performance with the Launch Package, but that hasn’t stopped customers from purchasing it anyway.
The rest of the lineup will follow in the near future. The Rivian R2 Performance, the sole trim since June this year, is the top-of-the-line variant, and it will eventually be joined by a mid-grade Premium and a base model that’ll only cost $46,485.
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Outselling the R1S and R1T
Since June of this year, Rivian has noted that the demand for the R2 was pretty strong, and “reservation and conversion rates for the launch edition R2 remained higher in the quarter than our expectations,” said Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe.
Now that the third quarter is finished, the company has since reported in its earnings call on October 29, 2026, that it outsold the bigger and more expensive R1S crossover and R1T pickup truck combined, becoming Rivian’s top-selling model in the quarter for the U.S. and Canada, while also beating out its sales for its electric delivery vans for Amazon.
The result can be attributed to how Rivian went about selling the R2. The brand raised its overall 2026 delivery guidance to between 67,000 and 70,000 vehicles. Previous delivery guidance was set between 65,000 and 70,000. Rivian also stated that it recently added a second shift at its Normal, Illinois, factory for the initial sales.
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A Calculated Move
The R2 Performance launching first was no accident. Rivian stated that it’s “been able to very intentionally sequence the nature of launching with a high-price variant and then bringing in these other trims as our volume grows, such that in the end it supports a healthy, positive gross margin for the R2 business.”
High-end variants are usually where brands make the most money. With the R2 Performance, each sale returns a good margin back to Rivian for every car sold. When Rivian is ready to unleash its more affordable trims, it can potentially maintain the model’s sales momentum.
The R2 was well-received by the industry, and reviewers have praised it so far, along with a bit of controversy in tow. With 656 horsepower from a dual motor, all-wheel-drive, and a zero-to-sixty time of 3.6 seconds, it’s a rather exciting crossover. Couple that with a range of 330 miles, plus fast charging from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes, and you have an EV that’s worthy of being a daily driver.
On top of that, the launch edition of the R2 comes with a lifetime Autonomy Plus driver-assistance subscription and a unique key fob in green, and an optional green exterior color and tow package.
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Rivian Can’t Wait Too Long
With that being said, Rivian needs to strike while the iron is still hot and can’t wait too long to launch its more affordable trims. The R2 Performance starts at $59,485 and can go up from there.
Meanwhile, Rivian’s Premium trim, the mid-grade variant, will start at $55,485 (with shipping) and will come in “late 2026,” according to Rivian’s website. The midrange trim will come with 450 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and 330 miles of range. At the base model trim, the R2 Standard will start at $46,485 and come with 275 miles of range and be available as a rear-wheel-drive powertrain only. This model is expected to launch in summer 2027, according to Rivian.
Customers who want the base model will still be able to spec it out in case they want more capability. The long-range version will cost $3,500 more, but customers may also get long-range and all-wheel drive for $7,000.
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