Rivian Unveils R2 EV SUV Lineup at $45,000 Start

Rivian Automotive unveiled its highly anticipated R2 midsize electric SUV lineup on Thursday at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, revealing pricing starting at around $45,000 for a base model set to arrive in late 2027, with higher-end trims beginning deliveries as early as this spring. The R2, positioned as a more accessible alternative to the company's premium R1 trucks and SUVs that start above $70,000, aims to broaden Rivian's customer base amid a challenging electric vehicle market.

The R2 lineup includes four configurations built on a new midsize platform that makes the vehicle nearly 2,000 pounds lighter than the R1S, measuring 185.9 inches long with a 115.6-inch wheelbase. The top-tier Performance trim with Launch Package, priced at $57,990, features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivering 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-to-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles from an 87.9-kilowatt-hour battery. Deliveries of this variant are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026. The Premium all-wheel-drive trim, at $53,990, offers 450 horsepower and the same 330-mile range, with a 0-to-60 time of 4.6...