There’s a new Rivian on the block

The Irvine, California-based EV maker just unveiled its second model, the R2, at South by Southwest on Thursday morning. The mid-size SUV, which will launch later this spring, is an attempt to broaden the brand’s reach, and four different versions are set to be available by the end of next year.

In announcing the entire R2 lineup at once, it’s clear that Rivian wants to signal that there will be a variant for every kind of EV buyer out there. Each version of the SUV will be built on the company’s new mid-size platform, which was developed to be more accessible without sacrificing capability. Two powertrains will be available: a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive unit, found in the Standard and Standard Long Range variants, and a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive unit, found in the Premium and range-topping Performance. There’s a chance a tri-motor powertrain will also be made available down the line.

The single-motor powertrain makes 350 hp and 355 ft lbs of torque in both versions of the Standard, while the dual-motor powertrain makes 450 hp and 537 ft lbs of torque in the Premium and 656 hp and 609 ft lbs of torque in the Performance. It’s come as little surprise that the most potent R2 is also the quickest, able to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The Standard isn’t a slouch, either, doing the same in 5.9 seconds, which is totally adequate for an SUV. No top speed was provided for any of the variants.

Rivian isn’t ready to reveal battery info for the entry-level Standard, but the other three R2s feature a battery pack with 87.9-kWh of usable energy capacity.  Range for the Standard Long Range comes in at an estimated 345 miles, while the two dual-motor models come in at an estimated 330 miles (the company lists a range of 275-plus miles for the regular Standard). These numbers should dispel any range anxiety drivers may have, but, if not, the company says that the EV can charge from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 29 minutes when connected to a Supercharger.  That’s nearly twice as long as the Porsche Cayenne Electric, but it will do in a pinch.

The R2 doesn’t look all that different from the full-size R1S—only smaller. All of Rivian’s EVs, including the R1T truck, share the same boxy shape with rounded edges and corners, along with a nearly identical lighting package. The new model does feature a shorter wheelbase (115.6 inches compared to 121.1 inches), carries less heft (it weighs 2,000 pounds less), and has an off-road-friendly ground clearance of 9.6 inches. It will also be available in three new metallic exterior finishes—blue-green Catalina Cove, Esker Silver, and Half Moon Grey. A wide range of 19- to 21-inch wheel styles is also available.

Inside is the company’s most technologically advanced cabin yet. Up front, there’s a redesigned Haptic Halo steering wheel, which features “dynamic and context-aware” controls. There are also two dash-mounted displays to aid with vehicle operation and navigation. The center display can be used for a more in-depth dive into features, including the company’s hands-free assisted driving service, which is usable on 3.5 million miles of roads across the U.S. and Canada (it costs $50 per month, or a one-time fee of $2,500). The interior also features class-leading head and legroom, an optimized cargo floor, and a power-down rear liftgate window. Finally, there’s plenty of cargo room, with a claimed 90.1 cubic feet of enclosed storage.

Expect to see the R2 on roads near you by the summer. Rivian says the Performance will launch this spring, the Premium before year’s end, and the Standard and Standard Long Range in 2026. Pricing starts at $45,000, but the dual-motor versions start at $53,990 and $57,990, respectively.

Click here for more photos of the 2026 Rivian R2.