Rivian R2 at $59,485: Electric SUV That Outclasses Jeep Recon

The Rivian R2 lands at $59,485 in its 656-horsepower Performance version. I got behind the wheel of this new American electric SUV that's going straight after the Tesla Model Y head-on. 330 miles of claimed range, supercar performance... but does it hold up when you actually drive the thing?

"We delivered production on time with the promised specs, something Elon always shows up late for" — The Drive, about Rivian

Rivian comes out swinging... and pricey

You know what? Rivian's doing exactly what every carmaker does now: they announce $45,000 to get people drooling, then they roll out the $57,990 version first. Classic move. The R2 Performance arrives this spring; the base version waits until late 2027.

Behind the wheel, this thing absolutely rips with 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds puts it in BMW X3 M Competition territory, except dead silent. Those 21-inch Sport wheels stick to the tarmac nicely, though I'd have loved testing this on dirt...

The semi-active suspension does the job—nothing revolutionary, but it soaks up potholes without rattling your bones. That NACS charging port? Smart move. Opens you straight up to Tesla's Supercharger network. No more hunting for a compatible charger in the middle of nowhere.

Four versions, eighteen months of waiting

Rivian's stretching this out over 18 months. The R2 Premium at $53,990 arrives in early 2027 with 450 horsepower. I tested a prototype: less edgy than the Performance (4.6 seconds to 60), but more comfortable for everyday driving. No semi-active suspension—honestly, one less thing to worry about.

The Standard versions? Single motor, 350 horsepower, front-wheel drive. Reminds me of early Model S generations, but as an SUV. The Standard Long Range at $47,990 (mid-2027) keeps over 320 miles of range. The base Standard? Late 2027, $45,000, 275+ miles. Now we're talking real-world pricing.

Tesla in the rearview

The Tesla Model Y Performance throws 534 horsepower at 3.5 seconds to 60. Rivian's close with 3.6 seconds, but Tesla keeps a slight edge on the clock. Range-wise though: 303 miles for Tesla, 330 for Rivian. Point to Rivian.

The Model Y Long Range starts at $47,740 with 393 miles of range. That hurts for Rivian arriving late to the party. Tesla's got Superchargers everywhere, proven production, spare parts in stock... Rivian still has to prove its reliability credentials.

Europe? Hang tight

For us Europeans, check back in 2027. Minimum. Rivian needs to lock down the US market first before crossing the Atlantic. European pricing? We're talking €38,700 base. With our taxes factored in, more like €45,000.

Why wait? Because Rivian's already struggling to pump out enough R1T and R1S units. Opening a new market with all those European regulations to satisfy? They'd rather shore up their home base first.

The volume gamble

Rivian's betting big: +53% more deliveries in 2026 thanks to the R2. Goal: over 22,000 units, when Wall Street was only expecting 13,400. Ambitious when you know their production headaches so far.