Rivian announced Thursday that R2 deliveries will begin this spring with a special edition priced at $57,990, more than $12,000 above the $45,000 figure the company has used to market the vehicle as a mainstream EV alternative to Tesla.
The base-model R2, at $45,000, will not reach customers until late 2027, according to the company's pricing disclosure. The staging means buyers seeking the entry-level price point face a wait of roughly two years after the first cars roll out.
The R2 is central to Rivian's effort to expand beyond its relatively niche R1T pickup and R1S SUV lineup, which carry six-figure price tags. The company, which has yet to achieve sustained profitability, needs the smaller, lower-cost platform to drive volume and move toward breakeven on a unit-economics basis.
Rivian shares fell after the announcement, with Barron's noting the market's negative reaction to the reveal despite the vehicle's well-received specifications. Edmunds, which conducted a hands-on evaluation, highlighted the R2's power and range as competitive with Tesla's offerings.
The launch sequencing is a common industry practice — automakers frequently introduce higher-margin variants first to protect near-term revenue — but it carries a particular risk for Rivian, whose investment case rests on demonstrating that it can reach cost-competitive volume production. Delaying the affordable model extends the timeline before that proof point arrives.
