title: "Rivian R2 Unveiled: 656 HP Performance From $57,990, Base Under $45K in 2027" slug: rivian-r2-performance-656hp-330mi date: 2026-03-13 category: launch tags: [rivian, r2, ev, suv, launch, us] source_url: "https://www.carscoops.com/2026/03/2027-rivian-r2-unveiled/"
Rivian has finally put a price and a spec sheet on the R2, and the entry point is not $45,000. It's $57,990 for the Performance model, which launches this spring.
The R2 Performance produces 656 hp and 609 lb-ft of torque from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, hitting 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. An 87.9 kWh battery delivers an estimated 330 miles of range, with 10-80% charging in roughly 29 minutes. Those numbers put it in direct competition with the Tesla Model Y Performance and the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, both of which cost less.
Four Trims, Two Years
Rivian structured the R2 launch as a slow rollout. The $57,990 Performance arrives this spring. The $53,990 Premium follows later in 2026 with 450 hp and a 4.6-second 0-60 time. The $48,490 Standard Long Range reaches customers in H1 2027 with a rear-motor 350 hp setup and 345 miles of estimated range in RWD form. The sub-$45,000 Standard Short Range (275+ miles) closes out the lineup in late 2027.
The strategy is clear: lead with the halo, fund the factory, then deliver the affordable version once production scales. Tesla did this with every model. Rivian is running the same playbook with zero pretense about it.
What's Inside
Ground clearance hits 9.6 inches. Cargo space measures 28.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet with them folded. A 5.2 cubic-foot frunk adds storage for charging cables or a carry-on bag. Eight drive modes are available on the Performance, five on the other trims.
Interior highlights include 12-way heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a nine-speaker audio system, and Rivian's "Haptic Halo" steering wheel, which provides tactile feedback instead of relying solely on a touchscreen for common inputs.
The "Field Outlet" feature converts the charging port into a power station, continuing Rivian's bet that EV owners will use their vehicles as mobile generators. Digital key support and a panoramic glass roof come standard across all trims.
Reservations are open with a $100 refundable deposit. The affordable R2 everyone is waiting for doesn't arrive until late 2027.
