When R2 prices are released, how much is too much?

[CharonPDX]

We'll have to put off our purchase until next year when our Mach E lease is up. Originally, I was replacing our Lightning with an R2 but just ordered an R1 instead.

LOL! I know multiple "Rivian R1T plus Mach-E" households planning on replacing the Mach-E with an R2 or R3. :-D

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[VegasWeezy]

How much of that is because there was no legitimate competition for the Model Y for most of its existence? You can overcome looks if it is the only real option in its class?

That's not the case in 2026.

Agreed. It would not have been the best seller, and clearly no longer is now that there is competition. However, it still outsells all other EVs in the U.S. even though there are other options. Looks and quality matters, which is why I ended up with a Mustang Mach e and not a Model Y.

Looks are important, but the other specs and price especially are every bit as important. I wouldn't buy an R2 over an iX3 just because it looks better, if the pricing was the same but the iX3 (or any other similar model) kicked its ass on specs.

I genuinely want the R2 to be successful, and I love the look of the vehicle, but its final specs and pricing better be competitive or it won't be the vehicle for the masses that Rivian needs it to be.

 

[SANZC02]

Could not agree more. For this to be the vehicle for the masses and take Rivian mainstream, the pricing has just right. If the Launch Edition is even $54,900 before destination, taxes, options (paint, interior, wheels, etc.), and fees, then I don't think the R2 will be the success we all hoped it would be.

If the iX3 comes out at roughly $60k with 400 miles of range, charging of 10-80% in 21 minutes, and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, I can't imagine paying the same price for an R2 Launch Edition given the expected specs. The R2 will be faster and have better off-road capabilities, and eventually the LiDAR autonomy advantage, but I don't think the masses care as much about those abilities.

I think you are conflating the mass market version and the Launch Edition version.

Based on the earnings report today looks like with their ramp up this year they think they will deliver < 40k R2 vehicles for 2026. They can easily sell those in the 55-65k range.

For the lower trims I agree they need to be 45-50 but the LE version not so much.

 

[Biturbowned]

Not a great poll. It depends on the trim. $45k for the base is fine. $55 is not. $60 for the tri motor is great. $70 is not.

What’s another suv (or any car) that does 0-60 under 3 seconds for less than $70k? Asking why you think 70k is unreasonable for a tri motor.

 

[VegasWeezy]

I think you are conflating the mass market version and the Launch Edition version.

Based on the earnings report today looks like with their ramp up this year they think they will deliver < 40k R2 vehicles for 2026. They can easily sell those in the 55-65k range.

For the lower trims I agree they need to be 45-50 but the LE version not so much.

I'm not conflating it at all. If the Launch Edition, which is the dual motor AWD performance model, is $55-65k, I think they're in trouble. Because the consensus on these forums seems to be that the "base", or "mass market version" as you call it, will be a smaller battery RWD single motor version. If that version is $45k before options (paint, wheels, interior, etc.) and destination charges, and it comes with only 300 miles of range and slowish charging, what's the compelling reason for the average/mass market buyer to select the R2 over the MY or other competitors?

To be clear, I hate the Model Y. It is an abomination. But it sells like crazy even though it's ugly and the CEO of the company is an insane person (not really relevant to most buyers, but thought I would mention it). The Premium RWD version sells for $49k before options and destination and has a range of 357 miles (allegedly). The expected specs and pricing of the R2 mass market version are not compelling enough to steal massive market share from the Model Y.

I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[emoore]

I'm not conflating it at all. If the Launch Edition, which is the dual motor AWD performance model, is $55-65k, I think they're in trouble. Because the consensus on these forums seems to be that the "base", or "mass market version" as you call it, will be a smaller battery RWD single motor version. If that version is $45k before options (paint, wheels, interior, etc.) and destination charges, and it comes with only 300 miles of range and slowish charging, what's the compelling reason for the average/mass market buyer to select the R2 over the MY or other competitors?

To be clear, I hate the Model Y. It is an abomination. But it sells like crazy even though it's ugly and the CEO of the company is an insane person (not really relevant to most buyers, but thought I would mention it). The Premium RWD version sells for $49k before options and destination and has a range of 357 miles (allegedly). The expected specs and pricing of the R2 mass market version are not compelling enough to steal massive market share from the Model Y.

I hope I'm wrong though.

The Launch Edition is not intended to the be the mass market version, the dual motor version is and those aren't the same thing.

I also disagree that people don't care about looks or off road prowess. Just look at all the people that will buy a TRD off-road 4Runner when a cheaper Rav4 would be sufficient.

 

[godfodder0901]

The Launch Edition is not intended to the be the mass market version, the dual motor version is and those aren't the same thing.

I think you mean single motor.

 

[JasonK]

I agree the duel motor performance is not the mass market model. It will be the duel motor long range with lower power but better range that will be the mass market model that I suspect will be the next model they make.

 

[emoore]

I think you mean single motor.

I don’t. Most want AWD vs RWD. Just look at trucks like the Tacoma. Most are AWD.

 

[godfodder0901]

I don’t. Most want AWD vs RWD. Just look at trucks like the Tacoma. Most are AWD.

Sure, but the single motor is the mass market version i.e. the cheapest.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

The target pricing for the launch edition (or whatever they end up calling it) is clearly aimed at the segment they want to compete with in real volume, the Model Y.

I’d assume they’re benchmarking against the Model Y AWD Performance, which sits around $59,500. If Rivian can land this in the $55–57K range, I think they’ll sell every unit they can produce this year.

 

[emoore]

Sure, but the single motor is the mass market version i.e. the cheapest.

Disagree. Mass market = most sales. Cheapest = loss leader.

 

[blipit]

The target pricing for the launch edition (or whatever they end up calling it) is clearly aimed at the segment they want to compete with in real volume, the Model Y.

I’d assume they’re benchmarking against the Model Y AWD Performance, which sits around $59,500. If Rivian can land this in the $55–57K range, I think they’ll sell every unit they can produce this year.

Since RJ comfirmed on earnings call the Lauch spec is Performance Dual-motor. It will be a direct competitor to Model Y Perf.

Model Y Perf is $57,490 before dest. To come in below that, one would have to conclude Rivian somehow figured out higher margins on EV production than Tesla. I have my doubts, especially since Rivian likes to use higher end materials and R2 has another 10+kwh.

 

[Nadus]

Could not agree more. For this to be the vehicle for the masses and take Rivian mainstream, the pricing has just right. If the Launch Edition is even $54,900 before destination, taxes, options (paint, interior, wheels, etc.), and fees, then I don't think the R2 will be the success we all hoped it would be.

If the iX3 comes out at roughly $60k with 400 miles of range, charging of 10-80% in 21 minutes, and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, I can't imagine paying the same price for an R2 Launch Edition given the expected specs. The R2 will be faster and have better off-road capabilities, and eventually the LiDAR autonomy advantage, but I don't think the masses care as much about those abilities.

If demand for the launch edition is soft, hopefully they're able to pivot to other trims quickly to stoke buyers.

 

[Nadus]

The target pricing for the launch edition (or whatever they end up calling it) is clearly aimed at the segment they want to compete with in real volume, the Model Y.

I’d assume they’re benchmarking against the Model Y AWD Performance, which sits around $59,500. If Rivian can land this in the $55–57K range, I think they’ll sell every unit they can produce this year.

This is obviously a WAG, but assuming Rivian has 200,000 reservations (reported a year ago), and assuming people on this forum loosely represent R2 reservation holders, then Rivian has pent-up demand for at least 100,000 R2s at the $60K price point. (52.3% of 200,000 = 104,600) That would keep the busy deep into next year with the launch edition.

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