The North American EV startup has been struggling with finding buyers for its large and expensive R1T pickup and R1S SUV lately. To mend the situation, Rivian has now announced that its all-new mid-size crossover, the R2, will go into production this spring and should reach the showrooms by June.
Announcing models R2 and R3 around two years ago, Rivian also revealed an intention to invest $5 billion into a new industrial complex in Georgia. It has since reconsidered that investment and managed to construct an EV factory in Illinois instead. It is rated at a nominal 215,000 vehicles per year, out of which the R2 is expected to make up 155,000.
Little is known about the electric crossover itself. There were some pics of an early concept, but much could change over the two years that passed. Back in early 2024, we were promised a completely new mid-size EV platform and three powertrains featuring one, two, and three e-motors.
Around the same time, Rivian execs dropped a minimum price estimate: U.S. $45,000. Considering how much has changed in the industry since then, including things like tariffs and the stagnating EV market of the United States, the actual price might end up higher than that. On the other hand, we hope that Rivian doesn’t price the R2 out of the Tesla Model Y price range, because that is the one EV it will inevitably end up being compared to a lot.
