Rivian has opened the online configurator for the R2, its critical mid-size electric SUV, giving reservation holders their first chance to spec out the vehicle ahead of deliveries. The Performance trim starts at $57,990 — just under Tesla’s Model Y Performance at $58,880.
The configurator launch comes ahead of Rivian’s previously communicated June timeline, signaling confidence in the R2 production ramp at its Normal, Illinois factory.
The R2 is the most important vehicle in Rivian’s lineup. While the R1S and R1T established the brand, they were always too expensive to move the kind of volume Rivian needs to reach profitability. The R2 changes that equation, and the configurator gives us our first detailed look at exactly what buyers will get — and what they’ll pay.
Three trims, staggered availability
Rivian is rolling out the R2 in three trims, but only one is available to configure right now:
R2 Performance — $57,990 (656 hp, 330 mi EPA est. range, 3.6 sec 0-60 mph; delivery spring 2026, estimated 1-6 weeks for some zip codes)
R2 Premium — $53,990 (delivery: late 2026)
R2 Standard — $48,490 (delivery: 2027)
The Performance trim is the only one currently configurable. It comes standard with the Launch Package, which bundles Autonomy+ (Rivian’s advanced driver-assistance system), the Tow Package, a Launch key fob, and exclusive access to the Launch Green paint color.
That staggered rollout is a deliberate strategy. Rivian is launching with its highest-margin trim first, similar to what Tesla did when it launched the Model Y. The $48,490 Standard trim won’t arrive until 2027, meaning the average transaction price will stay elevated through the critical early production period.
Paint, wheels, and interior options
The configurator offers eight exterior colors, though not all are available immediately. Esker Silver is the only no-cost option — every other color adds $1,000 to $2,000:
- Esker Silver — included
- Glacier White — $1,000
- Half Moon Grey — $1,500
- Forest Green — $1,500 (coming late 2026)
- Midnight — $2,000
- Catalina Cove (blue) — $2,000
- Launch Green — $2,000 (Launch Package exclusive)
- Borealis (purple) — $2,000 (coming 2027)
Two wheel options are available: 21-inch Liquid Tungsten All-Season wheels (included) and 20-inch Black Sand All-Terrain wheels as an option for buyers who want a more rugged look.
For interiors, buyers choose between Black Crater Signature (included) and Coastal Cloud Signature, a lighter-toned option. Both feature Rivian’s redesigned cabin with a prominent center touchscreen.
Upgrades and accessories
Beyond the Launch Package inclusions, the configurator lists a Compact Spare Tire for $755 — a practical add-on for an SUV that Rivian clearly expects buyers to take off-road.
The accessories section includes charging equipment, though Rivian is keeping the full accessories catalog limited at launch.
How it compares to Tesla Model Y
The pricing positions the R2 Performance directly against Tesla’s refreshed Model Y Performance at $58,880. That $890 price advantage is slim, but it’s symbolically important — Rivian can now claim its performance SUV undercuts Tesla’s.
The comparison gets more interesting at the lower trims. The R2 Premium at $53,990 targets the Model Y Premium AWD, while the $48,490 R2 Standard will have a harder time competing with the base Model Y at around $41,630. That’s still a significant gap at the entry level, but the R2 offers more interior space and a distinct design language that appeals to a different buyer.
As Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has hinted, the R2 platform will eventually underpin multiple vehicle variants, spreading development costs across a broader lineup.
Electrek’s Take
Top comment by YogaJohn
In terms of comparing it the Model Y, there’s no comparison. The Rivian looks, inside and out, like a special, well-built, thoughtfully designed machine. The Tesla looks good, but mainly a minimalist car that doesn’t have anything close to the class and style of the Rivian…and, Rivian doesn’t have Musk…a huge bonus.
The R2 configurator going live is a milestone that matters. Rivian started R2 production last month and is now converting reservation holders into confirmed orders — that’s the moment where hype meets reality.
The pricing is aggressive in the right places. Undercutting the Tesla Model Y Performance, even by a slim margin, gives Rivian a talking point. Whether that holds if Tesla adjusts pricing is another question, but for now, Rivian has priced the R2 to compete head-on rather than hiding in a premium niche.
We like the staggered trim strategy. Launching with the $57,990 Performance trim first maximizes early revenue per unit while Rivian scales production. The real test comes when the $48,490 Standard model arrives in 2027 — that’s the trim that needs to deliver genuine volume.
The configurator itself is clean and functional, though having only one trim available to configure right now limits the experience for buyers waiting on the Premium or Standard models.
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