Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The most affordable Rivian R1T and R1S variants have been dropped from the automaker's online configurator, with the Dual Motor Standard Pack models no longer available because very few buyers were choosing it. First reported by InsideEVs, the change effectively makes the Rivian R1 range $7,000 more expensive, as the new entry point to ownership is now the Dual Motor with the Large battery pack. The 2026 Rivian R1T pickup now starts at $81,885, while the R1S SUV costs no less than $85,885, and EPA-estimated range for the R1 range now starts at 329 miles, up from 270 miles with the Standard battery pack.Rivian's Cheaper R2 SUV Now Looks Even BetterRivianFortunately, you don't need to pay over 80 grand for access to the Rivian experience; the Rivian R2 is now available, and in its costliest configuration, the Performance variant with Launch Edition upgrades, costs $59,485. That gets you a Long Range battery that promises 330 miles per charge, but if you're willing to wait until spring next year, a more affordable version will arrive at $44,990. Later this year, a Premium trim will be offered at a base MSRP of $53,990. Until then, the R2 Performance Launch Edition offers several important features for its sub-$60k asking price, including Autonomy+ with hands-free driving, Launch Green paint, an anodized key fob in Rivian Green, and a towing package with a 4,400-pound capacity (more than the Tesla Model Y manages at 3,500 lbs).AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Rivian Wants 80% of Service Problems Fixed in Your DrivewayIf you don't like the launch paint finish, other options are available: Esker Silver, Glacier White ($1,000), Midnight black ($2,000), Catalina Cove blue ($2,000), Half Moon Grey ($1,500), Borealis purple (coming September, $2,000), or Forest Green ($2,000). The dual-motor AWD SUV is also pretty healthy on the dyno, recording 656 horsepower, beating the R1T Dual Motor Large's output of 553 hp. The only downside is that the R2 can't be had as a pickup, though that may change soon enough.Cheaper Rivian R3 Won't Arrive for a Few Years YetRivianBelow the R1 and R2, Rivian intends to launch the R3, but eager customers will have to wait a couple of years. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says the company has finalized its timeline for the R3X, but it's not yet ready to make that information public. Hopefully, the company's struggles abate, and the R3 will reach American driveways soon, because the crossover looks like a lot of fun. 0-60 mph will take around three seconds, and total EPA-estimated driving range will be over 300 miles, so it should provide a good balance of performance and practicality.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
+9 others
