Electric vehicle maker Rivian has been building hype for the launch of its new R2 model on March 7th with a recent teaser video and plans for an unconventional reveal event. The R2 is expected to be a more affordable mid-sized SUV or crossover to appeal to a wider audience beyond Rivian’s current expensive truck and SUV.
The R2 teaser video features joyful people and a brief shadowy glimpse of the new model, showing Rivian’s signature LED light bar and vertical headlights. While details remain scarce, the R2’s design language stays true to the R1 series but likely with a shorter roofline hinting at a lower overall height.
Rivian has invested in the local community, refurbishing the Laguna Beach movie theater which will host the R2 launch. However, plans to display R2 vehicles at a nearby public beach have faced some opposition from residents despite city approval.
When it debuts in 2026, the $45-50k R2 will compete with the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 in the hot crossover EV space. Rivian still faces challenges ramping up production volume and quality for its future models. But the excitement surrounding the R2 shows the company’s potential to attract mainstream buyers unlike its past truck and SUV models targeting a narrower luxury market.
As March 7th nears, Rivian strategicly unveils more R2 details to draw interest and reservations which opened today starting at $100 refundable deposit. Though specifics remain limited, it’s clear Rivian intends to make a splash with the long-awaited launch of its cornerstone affordable EV.
