Rivian launches customer deliveries of the R2 electric SUV

Rivian has begun delivering its R2 mid‑size electric SUV to the first public customers after an internal employee rollout. Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe called the model "perhaps the most important product we have ever introduced." The Performance trim with Launch Package starts at $57,990 (about $58,000) and offers 656 hp, a 0‑60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, an EPA‑estimated range of up to 330 miles and a ground clearance of 9.6 inches. Rivian plans a pricing ladder that will drop below $50,000 by 2027, with a $44,990 entry‑level version slated for summer 2027.

The R2 is built on a new midsize platform and includes the Autonomy+ hands‑free driver‑assistance system, which currently covers 3.5 million miles of road across the United States and Canada. A higher‑automation Point‑to‑Point mode is expected later this year, with broader availability in 2027. Uber has signed a contract worth up to $1.25 billion that could see as many as 40,000 R2s used as robotaxis. Rivian aims to produce 20,000‑25,000 units by the end of 2026 and is expanding production capacity with a new plant in Georgia scheduled to start in 2028.