Rivian began R2 deliveries in June 2026 after production started in Normal, Illinois, following an April 17 tornado that hit Building 2. The storm collapsed a section of the roof in the area dedicated to R2 operations. The company is building a 1.1 million square foot facility on the east side of the manufacturing campus to house body and assembly operations. This expansion will allow the plant to reach 215,000 total units of capacity. The Performance trim arrived in spring 2026, while the Premium trim arrives in late 2026. The Standard trim arrives in the first half of 2027 with a price of $48,490. The $45,000 base model does not arrive until late 2027. Rivian rolled out the first manufacturing validation units in January 2026. The company uses prefabrication to speed the building process and utilizes space on the south side of the plant. This manufacturing hub already produces R1 models and commercial vans across a 4.3 million square foot area.
Performance and price comparisons
The R2 platform has a 9.6 inch ground clearance and 90.1 cubic feet of total enclosed storage. The Performance trim delivers 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, which sends the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and provides a 330 mile EPA-estimated range. The Premium trim delivers 450 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torque with a 4.6 second 0-60 mph time. The Standard RWD Long Range variant delivers 350 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. The Performance and Premium trims use an 87.9 kWh battery pack.
| Trim | Price | Horsepower | 0-60 mph | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | $57,990 | 656 hp | 3.6s | 330 mi |
| Premium | $53,990 | 450 hp | 4.6s | 330 mi |
| Standard (LR) | $48,490 | 350 hp | 5.9s | 345 mi |
| Standard (RWD) | $45,000 | 350 hp | 5.9s | 275 mi |
The R2 is clearly the best choice for outdoor enthusiasts who require high ground clearance and a roll-down rear glass window. The R2 Performance is faster than the Tesla Model Y Performance, which has a 3.3 second 0-60 mph time. The R2 achieves 109 MPGe combined, whereas the Model Y achieves 104 MPGe. The R2 has a 5.2 cubic foot frunk, while the Model Y has a 4.1 cubic foot frunk. The R2 is 185.6 inches long, while the Model Y is 188.6 inches long. The Performance trim allows for 4,400 pounds of towing, while the Standard trim allows for 3,500 pounds. The Performance trim uses 21-inch Liquid Tungsten wheels, while the Premium trim uses 20-inch Bicolor Carbon wheels.
Utility and ownership reality
The interior has a mix of materials like Adventex vinyl leather and Birch wood veneer trim. The 15.6 inch touchscreen runs an Android-based infotainment system. Two Haptic Halo controls on the steering wheel manage audio and temperature settings. The interface is often convoluted for users. The R2 uses a native NACS charge port for Tesla Supercharger access. A 10% to 80% charge takes about 30 minutes at a 230 kW maximum rate. The R2 has a 39.8 foot turning circle. Front passengers get 40.9 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom. The second row has 40.4 inches of headroom and 40.4 inches of legroom. The cargo space is 28.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 79.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 5.2 cubic foot frunk fits a large backpack. The 4695 battery cells provide energy to the motors. The Performance and Premium trims include 12-way power driver and passenger seats and ventilated front seats, while the Standard trim only has heated front seats. You probably already know that early adopters pay more for new tech. Federal clean vehicle credits for new vehicles ended on September 30, 2025. The home charger credit also ended on June 30, 2026. Will the mass-market price point sustain Rivian’s growth?
