2027 Rivian R2 vs. R1S: $26,000 More Gets You 9 HP and 1 Mile Less RangeAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The 2027 Rivian R2 Performance is listed on Rivian's configurator at $57,990 with 656 horsepower, a 3.6-second 0-60 mph time and 330 miles of EPA-rated range. The 2027 Rivian R1S Dual starts at $83,990 with up to 665 horsepower, 0-60 in as little as 3.4 seconds and 329 EPA miles on the Large battery and 22-inch wheels. Spending the extra $26,000 on the R1S gets you nine more horsepower, two tenths of a second, and one mile less range.The comparison here is between the $57,990 R2 Performance and the $83,990 R1S Dual with the Large battery. These are the two configurations that sit closest on power and range and are the most natural cross-shopping comparison.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe running costs move in the same direction. The EPA rates the R2 Performance on its standard 21-inch all-season wheels at 105 MPGe combined and $700 a year in electricity. The R1S Dual on 22-inch wheels with the Large battery comes in at 85 MPGe and $900. Over five years that is another $1,000 on top of the purchase price gap, paid by the more expensive vehicle.What $26,000 Does Not BuyPower is the first place most shoppers expect the flagship SUV to pull ahead, and it barely does. Rivian quotes the R1S Dual at up to 665 horsepower against the R2 Performance's 656, a margin of 1.4 percent. Acceleration follows the same pattern, with Rivian listing the R1S Dual at as fast as 3.4 seconds to 60 mph and the R2 Performance at 3.6.Range is where the comparison inverts. Both range figures come from the EPA rather than Rivian's own estimates, and the R2 Performance on 21-inch wheels is certified at 330 miles while the R1S Dual with the Large battery on 22-inch wheels is certified at 329. Move the R1S to 20-inch wheels and the Large battery drops to 300 miles. Fit the 20-inch all-terrain wheels and it falls to 289, which is 41 miles behind the R2.Energy consumption explains the annual cost figures. The EPA measures the R2 Performance at 32 kWh per 100 miles and the R1S Dual on 22s at 39 kWh per 100 miles, a 22 percent difference in the amount of electricity each vehicle uses to cover the same distance.EfficiencyThe EPA lists twelve separate configurations of the 2027 R1S, and not one of them reaches 90 MPGe. The R2 Performance in its least efficient form, on 20-inch all-terrain wheels, still returns 99 MPGe, which puts it 14 points clear of the most efficient R1S Rivian sells.ConfigurationMPGeEPA rangeAnnual electricityR2 Performance, 21in105330 mi$700R2 Performance, 20in AT99307 mi$750R1S Dual, Large, 22in85329 mi$900R1S Dual, Max, 22in84410 mi$900R1S Quad, Max, 20in AT67325 mi$1,150Those two rows show how wide the R1S range can be depending on powertrain and wheels. A Quad on 20-inch all-terrain wheels uses 50 kWh per 100 miles against the R2 Performance's 32, which is 56 percent more electricity to cover the same distance, and it costs $450 more a year to charge. Buyers cross-referencing these figures on fueleconomy.gov should note that the EPA lists the dual-motor R1S as Premium and the tri-motor version as Performance, while Rivian's configurator calls them Dual and Tri.Is The Max Battery The Real Upgrade?The Max battery is the one option that moves the R1S decisively past the R2. Rivian rates the Dual with the Max pack at 410 miles on 22-inch wheels, 80 miles beyond anything the R2 offers, and the EPA confirms that figure at 84 MPGe and $900 a year. The Tri reaches 371 miles and the Quad 374, both on 22s.AdvertisementAdvertisementEfficiency does not improve with the larger pack. The Dual Max on 22-inch wheels returns 84 MPGe against the Large pack's 85, so the additional range comes from carrying more energy rather than using it better. The annual electricity cost stays at $900 either way, because the EPA figure reflects consumption per mile rather than the size of the battery.Where The R1S Still WinsRivian lists the R1S at seven seats across three rows. The R2 has two rows, with a 40/20/40 folding rear bench, 40.4 inches of rear legroom and 40.9 inches of headroom, and Rivian quotes 90.1 cubic feet of total storage from the frunk through to the rear cargo area.The R1S measures 200.8 inches long on a 121.1-inch wheelbase, stands 77.3 inches tall with the antenna and 82 inches wide with the mirrors folded, and Rivian quotes approach and departure angles of 35.8 and 34.4 degrees. That makes the R1S substantially larger than the R2.The 410-mile Dual Max sits above the $83,990 entry price for the Dual, so reaching that headline range figure means spending beyond the $26,000 gap this comparison started with.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: I Drove The 2027 Rivian R2 Performance On- And Off-Road: Here's My Honest Review Of Rivian's Most Important SUV YetOrdering Today And LaterOne R2 is currently available. Rivian's configurator lists the R2 Performance at $57,990 as available now, the R2 Premium at $53,990 arriving late in 2026, and the R2 Standard at $44,990 in 2027. The Premium is quoted at 450 horsepower, 4.6 seconds and 330 miles; the Standard at 350 horsepower, 5.9 seconds, single-motor rear-wheel drive and 275 miles. All prices exclude the $1,495 destination charge.Only the Performance has been through EPA certification. Rivian's own footnote states that its range estimates are preliminary figures based on the EPA test cycle and are not official EPA values, which applies to the 330 miles quoted for the Premium and the 275 for the Standard. The two entries on fueleconomy.gov cover the Performance on 21-inch wheels at 330 miles and on 20-inch all-terrain wheels at 307.Rivian delivered 12,194 vehicles in the second quarter and raised its full-year delivery guidance from 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles up to 65,000 to 70,000, citing the introduction of R2 deliveries alongside growth in its R1 and commercial van volumes.Which One Is For YouBuy the R1S ifBuy the R2 ifSeatsYou need a third rowFive seats cover itRangeYou want the 410-mile Max battery330 miles is enoughRunning cost$900 to $1,150 a year is acceptableYou want the $700 figureSizeYou want a 200.8-inch SUVA smaller footprint suits your parkingPowerYou want the R1S's higher-output Tri or Quad656 horsepower is plentyTimingYou want to order any trim nowYou can wait for Premium or StandardBudget$83,990 and up works$57,990 is the ceilingThe R1S earns its premium with three things the R2 cannot match: a third row, a much larger body and the option of a 410-mile battery. If you need none of them, the R2 Performance gives you nearly the same headline performance and slightly more EPA range for $26,000 less.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.