R2 ordering is officially open as of June 9th, starting with the Performance Launch Edition only at $57,990. You're getting 656 hp, semi-active suspension, around 330 miles of range, and the full Launch Package, with current R1 owners getting priority and first deliveries targeted for 2-6 weeks from the date.
Leasing is confirmed for the R2 Launch Edition from day one, which is new territory for Rivian, and if you're trying to figure out how to pay for yours, I'd lean lease. Not for the money, but because R2 is a brand-new platform arriving right before LiDAR lands in late 2026, and that's hardware you can't add to an early build later. Here's the case for leasing, the case for buying, and why I'm personally doing the opposite of what I'd tell you to.
Rivian's software and autonomy leads jumped into a Reddit AMA and ended up spilling more concrete R2 detail than we've gotten in a while. Wassym handled most of it, with James stepping in for the self driving questions. From point to point autonomy timelines and the edge compute bet to the heat pump, the charging mat retrofit, and why the premium audio actually works, here's everything worth knowing.
Wassym confirmed R2 is getting a heat pump across the entire lineup, not just the top trim. The more interesting part is what Rivian built around it. A bigger compressor and a better battery-coolant handoff mean R2 can hold cabin comfort during a DC fast charge even in serious heat, which anyone who's sweated through a triple-digit charging session will appreciate.
Rivian's Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid is back for his third Reddit AMA this Thursday, May 21st, and this one is focused specifically on the R2 software platform. He'll be live from the Palo Alto office between 11:30am and 3pm PST.
Rivian rolled out the full R2 accessory lineup alongside the configurator going live, with pricing now available for everything from the NACS Wall Charger to All-Weather Mats and Cargo Crossbars. Most of it is priced in line with the R1 side, but there is one compatibility detail R1 owners will want to know about before launch.
The Rivian R2 configurator is officially live, and Performance buyers can now price out a build starting at $57,990 with a spring 2026 delivery. Early orders get a Launch Package worth roughly $3,700 in extras, including lifetime Autonomy+, and there is a lot to dig into across colors, wheels, and trim timing.
The first R2 in Forest Green has been spotted in person at the Palo Alto R2 Block Party, and it looks way richer and glossier than the configurator rendering suggested. Here's a closer look at how it compares to Launch Green in real light.
Rivian is exploring a way to manufacture its own lidar sensors in the United States, possibly through a joint venture using Chinese technology. If the plan lands, the R2 would become the first mass-market American EV fitted with a domestically built lidar unit, and it would mark another step in Rivian's push to bring more of its critical tech stack in-house.
RJ Scaringe confirmed to Reuters that Rivian is working on undisclosed R2 variants, even floating the R2X by name before catching himself and saying he didn't want to announce the program. With the Georgia plant being built for flexibility, an R2X performance trim, an R2 RAD Edition, and even a smaller R2T pickup all feel like real possibilities now.
