- Rivian released a teaser for the upcoming R2, which will be revealed March 7.
- The R2 looks similar to the R1S and R1T, but it’s expected to be smaller and more affordable.
- We think the R2S SUV will arrive first, and an R2T pickup is possible but not likely.
Rivian’s lineup is about to expand with the addition of the R2, and we’ve now seen our first official glimpse of this smaller and more affordable EV SUV ahead of its debut. We will finally see the R2 in full on March 7, and Rivian says it will open reservations for this model as soon as it is revealed. Previously, the company has hinted that this model could start as low as $40,000, with pricing ranging up to $60,000 for the more expensive models.
This new model’s front end incorporates the same cheerful-looking face as its big siblings, with rounded headlights and a full-width LED light bar, suggesting its design will follow closely in the footsteps of other Rivians. Our previous illustration shows how this look will translate onto a smaller package. This new model will give Rivian a competitor to the numerous compact electric SUVs including the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4.
So far, Rivian is calling it only the R2, but we’re still thinking that the smaller Rivian will likely be called R2S to keep it in line with the larger R1T truck and R1S SUV models. An R2T pickup truck is less likely, as the R1T already resides on the smaller side of the electric-truck segment, but we wouldn’t rule it out as a possibility.
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.