Rivian R2 and R3 Revealed; $45,000 Starting Price

At what point do we stop calling Rivian an electric vehicle startup and simply an electric vehicle manufacturer? That has arguably already happened as Rivian has been selling their R1T pickup and R1S SUV for some time now; but, we’re sure some individuals would still be hesitant to say as such given their relatively limited lineup– not to mention their perceived exclusivity due to a premium price bracket.

Well, that’s destined to change with the introduction of the Rivian R2 midsize utility, arriving early 2026 and joined by a sibling R3 crossover. Not only do these two models fill out the Rivian portfolio that much more, but this duo bears the ever-important task of offering consumers a more friendly point of brand entry.

Cutting to the chase, that’s an estimated starting sticker price of $45,000 for the R2, with the R3 said to undercut that even further. That’s a great value when compared to their other models, like the R1S’s $70,000-ish starting price; but it’s also a good bargain on paper when compared to outside competitors.

Starting with the original star of today’s reveal, the R2 is a two-row, five-seater SUV that measures 185.6 inches on a 115.5-inch wheelbase, a tad smaller than the R1S’s respective 200.8 inches on a 121-inch wheelbase. It aims to achieve over 300 miles of range with an undisclosed battery; and, in fact, few of the powertrain specifics are yet to be detailed. 

We do know that Rivian devised an entirely new midsize platform to underpin these vehicles, featuring a familiar single-motor rear-wheel drive, and dual- and tri-motor all-wheel drive trim structure for both, with the latter estimated to hit 60 in under three seconds. There will be two available battery packs, with the larger of the pair achieving the aforementioned 300 mile benchmark. As expected, DC fast charging is compatible with both the North American Charging Standard and Combined Charging Standard, hitting 10%-80% in less than 30 minutes. Along with their inhouse Adventure network of charging stations, Rivian models, including the future R2, will also be able to access the Tesla Supercharger network.

The R2 certainly stays the course of Rivian design language: Boxy, simplistic, and spearheaded by oval LED lights connected by a wide light bar. The greenhouse is defined by large windows and a glass roof. And, of course, the large “RIVIAN” branding on the liftgate sort of gives it away.

During the live reveal, the audience reaction gave credence to which features Rivian buyers will likely be most enthusiastic about. The rear side glass pops out, while the rearmost glass will slide down into the liftgate. People seemed to like that, as they did the returning in-door flashlight holder. We’re so used to folding second-row seats; but, what about folding first-row seats? Well, the R2 has those, too, and their purpose is mainly for moving very long things or giving more room for an in-vehicle camping experience. The audience seemed to get a kick out of that, though not as much as the inclusion of two glove boxes– making up for the R1’s lack of in-dash storage. The exact acreage of digital real estate is yet to be disclosed, but both models do utilize a large, horizontal screen for infotainment, joined by a smaller unit for instrumentation. They’re mounted on a simplistic dash that’s reminiscent of previous Rivian entries.

The R3 takes the R2 formula and actually shrinks it down a tad. It’s still a two-door five-seater, but it manages to shave off some length forward and aft. The rear in particular shows slimming, including the angled hatchback design that features a separate opening hatch for larger items. It’s a liftgate within a liftgate, we figure, and it also seemed to be a crowd highlight.

And just when we all thought it was over, we were introduced to the Rivian R3X. As the letter “X” typically denotes, this variant is a bit more extreme, showcased as a more exciting alternative for the performance-inclined. Built for on- and off-road, the R3X features wider tires and a wider stance, Rivian’s tri-motor setup, and a “rugged playful” interior.

The introduction of the R2 and R3 effectively brings the Rivian portfolio to four models. The R2 is available for reservation now, expected to arrive to North American buyers in the first half of 2026. R3 and R3X deliveries will begin soon after, followed by international releases of all three.