Rivian really needs its new R2 electric SUV to work. Introduced last week specifically to offset limited revenue from the company’s existing R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck, as well as sky-high development costs, the Rivian R2 will be how the Californian independent takes its business to the next level. Hopefully. To do so, of course, the new boy will be taking on the likes of Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and General Motors – and EV heavyweight Tesla – in the highly competitive compact electric SUV market. A foreboding prospect.Rivian, however, seems confident. Orders for the R2, for example, which has been built on an all-new mid-sized platform, are now being accepted with a $100 refundable deposit, and will be available for less than half the price of its larger, R1S sister model. And that’s not all you need to know… The R2 Performance Package Packs 656 hp And A Sub 4-Second 0-60 mph Time Rivian Unsurprisingly, Rivian has gone big with the launch model of, arguably, its most important vehicle yet. The R2 Performance features a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, and an output of 656 horsepower and 609 pound feet of torque. The highest of any confirmed R2 trim, and, crucially, comfortably more powerful than any of its compact electric rivals.Acceleration, naturally, is potentially whiplash-inducing, with the 0–60 mph sprint completed in “as quick as 3.6 seconds". That’s potentially just over half a second slower than the rocket-powered 641-hp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and just three-tenths shy of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E Rally. The “Most Capable” R2 On And Off-Road Will Be Launched First RivianIn terms of capability, range for the R2 Performance is a solid – if not exactly monumental – 330 estimated miles (though admittedly, that’s still 70-plus miles more than you’ll get in top trims for either the Hyundai or the Ford). Still, Rivian has made up for that "disappointment" by throwing the proverbial premium bells and whistles at the Performance. This includes, among other things, heated/ventilated seats, 21-inch Liquid Tungsten wheels, Compass Yellow brake calipers, and semi-active suspension for, hopefully, a supple ride quality.The optional tow package – available on all trims – also throws in a sizable 4,400 lbs of towing capacity. Quite how adept this “most capable” Rivian will be off-road, however, remains to be seen. There’s up to 9.6 inches of ground clearance, true, plus 25 and 26-degree approach and departure angles, respectively. Of the eight-way drive modes, three – Launch mode, Soft Sand, and Rally – are exclusive to the Performance. And… er… The Larger R1S Will Still Be The Off-Road Model To Have Rivian…yeah, that’s pretty much it. While Rivian has heavily promoted an abundance of optional metallic paint schemes and Birch wood interior trim options for what it is, essentially, Rivian’s more premium answer to the Tesla Model Y, there’s not much detail on whether Rivian’s newest SUV will cut the proverbial mustard off-road (not that we were looking for Jeep Wrangler levels of rock-crawling).It’s unlikely, for instance, that the shorter wheelbase-d R2 will feature locking differentials, and it’s unclear whether "tank turn" will be an option as it is on the larger R1S. The latter then, and it’s $19,000 to $64,000-higher price tag, appears to be Rivian’s best option still, at least for now, for off-road capability. And, speaking of prices… The Launch Price Is More Than You’d Pay For A Top-Spec Mustang Mach-E RivianIronically, Rivian’s most competitively priced model to-date isn’t off to a great start, since MSRPs for the launch model – the aforementioned R2 Performance – start from $57,990, minus destination fees and taxes (and even that’s for a limited time only). Admittedly, that’s a relative bargain compared with the $66,200 you’ll have to put down, at least, for a top-spec, 641-hp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.But it’s also $500 more than you’ll pay for a top spec Tesla Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive – which also does the 0–60 mph sprint three-tenths quicker – and at least $300 more than you’ll pay for the top-drawer, Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally. Granted, for $55,000-plus premium e-SUVS, it’s pocket change, but it’s still an unnecessary hurdle for a new rival to Tesla, the benchmark for EV sales in the United States, and the critically acclaimed Mach-E Rally with a lauded "Mustang" heritage dating back more than six decades. The R2 Premium Lands Later This Year RivianIf you’re happy to go without the yellow-accented brakes, extra power, and roll with "just" 19-inch wheels, then the R2 Premium model is your next best option. Available in late 2026 (date TBC), the Premium knocks $4,000 off the R2 Performance’s MSRP at $53,990. As such, this puts Rivian’s R2 Premium in-line with the likes of Ford’s Mach-E GT ($53,395), Volkswagen’s ID.4 AWD Pro S’s ($54,095), and squarely between Tesla’s top-tier all-wheel Model Ys ($48,990 to $57,490).Performance drops slightly, though the dual-motor layout nevertheless produces 450 hp – 206 hp down on the Performance, or one-and-a-bit Honda Prelude – and 537 lb ft (72 lb ft less). Zero to 60 mph is completed in a still rapid 4.6 seconds (that’s a 10th quicker than the now-discontinued Cadillac CT4-V for an SUV that will likely weigh 2.5 tons). The Entry-Level R2 Standard Arrives In Early 2027 For $48,490… RivianHappily, Rivian’s even more budget-conscious customers won’t have to wait too much longer, as the lower-spec R2 Standard Long Range is scheduled for “the first half of 2027” priced from a respectable $48,490. That puts all-wheel drive Model Y Premium ($48,990), Volkswagen’s mid-low ID.4 AWD Pro trim ($48,995), and even Chevrolet’ s Equinox RS AWD EV ($47,395) in the crosshairs.Available as standard with a rear-wheel driving single motor, and four of those eight driving modes (All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow and Sport), the R2 Standard packs 350 hp, 355 lb ft of torque, and will hit 60 mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds. Unsurprisingly, Rivian is keen to push the optional all-wheel drive Dual Motor configuration, which produces an R2 Premium-matching 450 hp and 537 lb ft, and, if optioned, the same 4,400 lbs of towing capacity. No confirmed price, or indeed any performance specs, have been announced yet for the dual-motor R2 Standard.It should be noted that, at time of writing, Chevrolet offers an $8,750 Customer Cash discount on the Equinox EV, though this offer is only available until the end of March. …And Could Offer More Electric Miles Than Any Of Its Rivals RivianWhat really draws our eye to the smaller, R2 Standard, however, is the range. With an estimated 345 miles potentially on tap, the fittingly named Long Range offers the best electric range of the confirmed RS models, offering up 15 miles more than both the Premium and the Performance.Even a yet-to-be-fully-detailed second R2 Standard – more on that in a second – offers 70 miles less range at 275-plus miles. More significantly though, that 345 (ish) miles of electric range also makes the R2 the second most frugal compact electric SUV on the market, beaten only by the estimated, pinch-of-salt 357 miles you’ll get from Tesla’s rear-wheel drive Model Y Premium.Indeed, at comfortably over 300 miles of range, Rivian even puts the more established likes of Subaru’s Solterra (288 miles), Toyota’s bz Limited (299 miles), and even Volkswagen’s ID.4 (291 miles, est) to shame. That’s usable miles too, by the way, since Rivian uses a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port, and can replenish 10–80% of the battery in 29 minutes. That $45,000 Starting Price Promised In 2024 May Not Be Met… RivianLimited revenue from its luxury, $100,000-plus R1S, plus high development costs, meant a competitive $45,000 MSRP was semi-etched in stone early doors for the R2. If Rivian, unlike almost every other start-up EV manufacturer, wanted to stay in business, anyway.It’s looking increasingly likely, however, that this benchmark price will not be met. Indeed, in its official announcement, Rivian confirmed that a slightly more barebones R2 Standard will be added to the lineup at an unconfirmed date in late 2027 for “around $45,000”. It’s not inconceivable that Rivian could still hit its target, of course. But with industry uncertainty surrounding tariffs inevitably raising sticker prices (despite Rivian’s ingenious forward planning), plus the dissolution of EV tax credits putting potential customers off, and very careful wording in its official press material, it won’t be too surprising if even the more competitively priced R2 leapfrogs the $45,000 mark. Far from calamitous, true, but a slightly embarrassing black eye, nonetheless. …But It Will Probably Cost Less Than A Smaller Mini Countryman Electric RivianDespite this, Rivian could be forgiven for feeling pretty confident with that “around $45,000” base price, as that MSRP even undercuts several smaller models in the sub-compact EV market. Prices for Mini’s electric Countryman SE ALL4, for example, a model that’s shorter and squattier than the R2, and offers less cargo space, starts from $45,200.The additional R2 Standard would undercut both the segment-rivaling VinFast VF8 and VW ID.4 by between $2,000 and $3,000, Kia’s pseudo-entry level Light Long Range AWD ($46,200), and would be just over $1,800 more than a top-spec, more mainstream Toyota bZ Limited ($43,300). It’s An “AI Powerhouse” RivianIt shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that a brand-new electric vehicle, even a smaller model, will be loaded with technical wizardry. The cabin, for instance, features a Haptic Halo steering wheel, which includes perpendicular rotary dials within the body of the wheel spokes that’s more efficiently packaged and is said to be more responsive.Perhaps the most interesting element though is the R2’s AI-ready architecture, which allows the in-vehicle Rivian Assistant – essentially Alexa for your car – to learn your mannerisms and driving habits, and adapt accordingly. While this is mostly used for the in-cabin experience – dimming ambient lighting while on the move, for example – it’s also significant for Rivian’s Autonomy+ driver assist technology.As well as the basics like lane change assist, the doors have been left open for Level 4 autonomous driving, should those heady days ever come.Source: Rivian