Rivian R2 order books to open on June 9
Rivian has announced that order books for its mid-sized R2 crossover will open on June 9, with a rapid delivery time promised.
The all-electric Rivian R2 will join the full-sized R1S SUV and R1T pickup in the American EV start-up’s passenger vehicle range, and will start from just under $60,000 (around £45,000) for the first run of ‘Premium’ cars. Those invited to purchase their R2 on the day order books open will have their car delivered within two to six weeks of their order.
A more affordable ‘Standard’ car costing $48,490 (£36,000) will be made available in 2027, with an even cheaper $45,000 (£33,000) variant arriving towards the end of next year.
With an 87.9kWh battery, the Rivian R2 is capable of 345 miles in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) guise, or 330 miles with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain. Note, however, that these figures are taken from the American EPA test cycle, which is less forgiving than Europe’s WLTP system.
Later, Rivian promises to introduce a smaller battery.
The R2 will be the first Rivian sold this side of the Atlantic. When it arrives next year, it will initially be sold in mainland Europe with a UK debut date scheduled for 2028. Official European pricing has yet to be confirmed.
In addition to the best-selling Tesla Model Y, the Rivian R2’s rivals will include the Kia EV5 and EV6, the Polestar 4, the Xpeng G6, and the Skoda Enyaq.
Rivian was founded in 2009 by R.J. Scaringe, and its maiden vehicle was the R1T, the world’s first electric pick-up truck, which launched in 2021. In March 2025, Volkswagen invested $5.8 bilion into the brand to gain access to its raft of technologies, including a ‘skateboard’ chassis.
Future Rivian models include the upcoming R3 compact SUV, and its more powerful sibling, the tri-motor R3X. This entry-level car is expected to arrive in 2028, and will be built at the firm’s soon-to-be-opened factory in Stanton Springs North, Georgia.
