Rivian R2 First Drive: The $45,000 Electric SUV Built to Challenge Tesla Model Y
Rivian has officially launched its R2, a mass-market electric SUV starting at $45,000 that CEO RJ Scaringe calls a make-or-break moment for the company. With AI-powered hands-free driving, competitive pricing against the Tesla Model Y, and production targets exceeding 50,000 units annually, the R2 represents Rivian's ambitious push beyond luxury EVs. But early buyers face a critical trade-off: Gen 2 hardware now or wait for advanced Gen 3 autonomy later.