- The Rivian R2’s Launch Edition won’t be its most-expensive trim level, CEO RJ Scaringe said on an earnings call tonight.
- It will be a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant, he said.
- “In the early part of next year, we’re going to have an R2 event where we’ll go through the full portfolio of R2 products,” Scaringe said.
Next year is a pivotal one for Rivian. The electric-vehicle startup has seen strong critical success with its R1S and R1T, but long-term viability depends on its more affordable R2 being a huge hit with a wider audience, just like the Tesla Model Y once was. Maybe that’s why the first Rivian R2 to debut won’t be its most expensive configuration.
On tonight’s third-quarter earnings call, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe offered a few new details about the R2 when it goes on sale in 2026.
“We’re going to limit the number of variants that we’re building, and so we have a launch edition for the R2,” Scaringe said. “And this is a classic challenge, because there’s thousands and thousands of people who are excited for R2. Some will want the most base version, the lowest-price version. Others are going to want the highest-end version.”
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The goal for the Launch Edition R2, he said, will be to hit the sweet spot. “I’ll say that it’s a dual-motor variant, and it’s well-appointed, but it’s not intended to be our most expensive version. It is intended to be a very nicely set-up vehicle, which we think will make the most people the most happy.”
Many EVs have launched in their most expensive configurations. When the Tesla Cybertruck launched, its inaugural Foundation Series model was about $100,000; cheaper variants followed quickly. The same has been true more recently with the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, which runs about $122,000 with options. If Rivian can make its first R2 reasonably affordable, it could indeed be groundbreaking.
As the R2 ramps up, Scaringe said, more variants will follow—presumably at the higher and lower-end of the spectrum. He added that in early 2026, Rivian will host an R2-specific event where it will announce more prices, official specs and trim levels.
Perhaps the R2’s most important detail is its price tag: $45,000, without any incentives. And Scaringe has repeatedly said the carmaker is holding to that price. It’s far below the $70,000-ish starting prices for the R1S and R1T—although many sell for close to $100,000 or more—and that will be crucial in making it a mainstream SUV that can be bought by far more people than before.
Beyond that, few official specs are known. We do know that the R2 will be available in Single-, Dual- and Tri-motor variations. The single-motor SUVs will be rear-wheel drive, while the other two configurations will be all-wheel drive. At least two battery sizes will be available, and over 300 miles of EPA-rated range is expected.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
