2026 Rivian R2 Model Caught on Camera with Truck-Style Pull-Down Rear Window Deployed
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The highly-anticipated Rivian R2 EV is set to enter series production in Normal, Illinois next year, with several changes from its debut model.
The Rivian R1T Quad was launched earlier, but the R2, priced as a lower-cost EV for the startup automaker, is expected to be released in 2026. RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, confirmed that the accessory port, fold-flat front seats, and the Tesla-style NACS port location featured in the debut model will not make it to production due to cost and limited market demand.
Key production changes include the removal of the accessory port, which was initially showcased as a plug-and-play solution but will be omitted due to its high cost for a feature used by only a small percentage of customers. Instead, the R2’s tow receiver will serve as the mounting point for accessories, although this requires more user effort than the originally planned accessory port.
Another change is the removal of fold-flat front seats, a convenience feature that was cut to balance cost and affordability. However, Rivian still expects enough interior space for someone to sleep in the back, with a rooftop accessory tent planned to launch alongside the R2 in 2026.
The position of the charging port has also been changed from the right rear fender on the debut model to the driver-side rear fender under a larger door. This aligns with Tesla’s charge port placement for better compatibility and ease of use at Tesla Superchargers, where Rivian EVs have plug-and-charge access.
The R2 will retain the dropdown rear glass feature, similar to the Toyota 4Runner, which is expected to enhance appeal and functionality. The R2 lineup will include single-motor, dual-motor, and tri-motor powertrains, with tri-motor options providing high-performance variants sprinting 0-60 mph in under three seconds, although these cost more than the $45,000 base model.
Rivian aims to produce up to 155,000 R2s annually at the Normal, Illinois factory, sharing production capacity and fixed costs with other models for efficiency, signaling confidence in the R2’s market potential at a more affordable price bracket.
In summary, key debut features removed for production in the R2 are the accessory port, fold-flat front seats, and the NACS port location — all changed due to costs and user demand considerations — while practical design updates like the charge port relocation and rear dropdown window have been confirmed for production. The R2 will be available with a tri-motor powertrain, though not at the base price of $45,000. The factory-backed rooftop accessory tent for the R2 is on track to launch alongside the R2 in 2026.
- In the transition from the Rivian R1T Quad to the more affordable R2 EV, technology advancements such as the Tesla-style NACS port placement have been revised to reduce costs and improve compatibility.
- As part of the cost-effectiveness measures in the production of the R2, electric-vehicles enthusiasts will have to give up the convenience of fold-flat front seats, but the vehicles will still maintain enough space for a compact sleeping area.
