Rivian R2 Arrives June 9—Here’s How Order Invitations Work

Rivian has officially confirmed a June 9 launch for the R2, a new Tesla Model Y competitor and the cheapest EV from the brand so far. This date will also see order invitations start to go out and will be the first opportunity for potential customers to experience demo drives of the new SUV. Rivian has outlined how the order invitations will work, as not everyone will be able to order at the same time. Here’s everything you need to know about the arrival of one of the year’s most anticipated new vehicles.

Related: Rivian Starts Building the SUV That Could Make or Break the Company

The Rivian R2 Order Invitation Process

The Rivian R2 configurator has been live for almost two weeks now, allowing customers to personalize and save their ideal model. The next step will be to receive an order invitation from Rivian, which will start going out on a rolling basis on June 9. According to the EV maker, the reservation timestamp and delivery location will determine when customers receive their invites. Anyone close to Rivian Service and Demo Centers are likely to receive an invite first, but location isn’t the only factor.

Current R1 owners will be prioritized, but this will be “balanced alongside deliveries to non-owners to keep the line moving for everyone.” Rivian will also take into account customers who are nearing the end of a current lease. Finally, a random group will receive order invitations early as Rivian looks to make the process fair for everyone.

“We want to give everyone the most accurate picture of when they can order their R2,” said the automaker. “To do that, we're bringing a randomly selected group of reservation holders into early batches, which will help us refine our timing estimates so that everyone can benefit from a clear and transparent purchase process.”

The R2 will start arriving at Rivian Spaces on June 9, too, and customers can start booking a demo drive on that date. Those who have received invitation orders will be prioritized and will be among the first to experience the EV.

R2 Performance Arrives First

The Rivian R2 has a starting price of $48,490, but this variant will only be arriving in 2027. The most expensive Performance version arrives first, in spring 2026. Rivian says that once an order is confirmed, customers can expect to take delivery within two to six weeks. 

The R2 Performance comes with dual motors producing 656 horsepower, allowing it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. It’s got all-wheel drive and a semi-active suspension, with driving modes for Snow, Soft Sand, Rally, and more. This model has an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles and includes Launch Package items like Rivian’s Autonomy+ suite and the Tow Package.

Later in 2026, the mid-range R2 Premium starts arriving, which costs $53,990. If you want the best range of up to 345 miles, you’ll have to wait for next year’s R2 Standard with rear-wheel drive.

Related: Rivian CEO Hints the R2 Could Spawn a Pickup and Performance Model

What It Means

We’ve had to be patient, but the Rivian R2 is finally close enough to get excited about. Its launch date is well-timed to coincide with a renewed interest in EVs, given that gas prices have exploded this year. The R2 is also a completely fresh design and something very different to the Tesla Model Y, still the best-selling EV in the country.

The question now is how quickly Rivian can ramp up production. Until now, it’s been a low-volume automaker with just two high-end EVs. The R2 completely changes that picture and catapults the brand into a segment with many mainstream competitors. With so many EV startups failing to break into this space, the R2 is the product that could change all of that for Rivian.

Related: 3 Reasons Why the Rivian R2 May Not Be the Company's Savior

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