Rivian R2 Named MotorTrend’s 2027 SUV of the Year

Rivian’s R2 earned MotorTrend’s 2027 SUV of the Year award, beating 31 other gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicle competitors. The recognition marks Rivian’s second MotorTrend vehicle award, following the R1T’s 2022 Truck of the Year win.

MotorTrend evaluated competitors using six criteria: design advancement, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, value, safety, and efficiency. Judges praised the R2 for combining distinctive styling, engaging on-road performance, off-road capability, passenger and cargo space, advanced technology, and premium features at a competitive price.

Ed Loh, MotorTrend’s head of editorial, called Rivian the first EV startup to win two Of the Year awards, recognizing the engineering and practical capabilities behind both the R1T and R2.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said the award represents a milestone for the company, coming just months after the first R2 customer deliveries.

Rivian R2 Trims, Pricing, and Performance

The R2 lineup offers three configurations designed for different performance and range requirements.

The R2 Performance, available now starting at $57,990, features dual-motor all-wheel drive, 656 horsepower, and 609 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds and offers up to 330 miles of EPA-estimated range.

The R2 Premium, expected in late 2026 starting at $53,990, delivers 450 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torque through its dual-motor AWD system. It reaches 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and offers up to 330 miles of EPA-estimated range.

The R2 Standard arrives in spring 2027 starting at $48,490. Its rear-wheel-drive Long Range configuration produces 350 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque, reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and offers up to 345 miles of Rivian-estimated range. A second Standard variant starts at $44,990 and is scheduled for summer 2027, with more than 275 miles of estimated range.

American Manufacturing and Job Creation

Rivian assembles the R2 on a dedicated production line at its Normal, Illinois, manufacturing facility, which also builds the R1S and R1T. The program supports thousands of jobs in Central Illinois.

Rivian is also constructing a second manufacturing facility in Stanton Springs, Georgia, expected to begin vehicle production in late 2028. Its initial phase is designed to provide annual capacity for up to 300,000 vehicles, including R2 models, a future robotaxi platform, and additional vehicles.

MotorTrend’s award strengthens Rivian’s position in the competitive electric SUV market and recognizes the company’s efforts to make its adventure-focused electric vehicles accessible to more consumers.

Rivian CEO Scaringe Named to Time100 Climate 2026 List

Scaringe earned a place on TIME Magazine’s TIME100 Climate 2026 list, recognizing influential leaders advancing climate solutions and accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Scaringe leads Rivian Automotive, which is expanding the electric vehicle market with its R2 electric SUV. The R2 became the company’s best-selling vehicle, recording 19,248 deliveries between July and September 2026. The vehicle is generating significant attention in the electric SUV market at a time when cars and trucks account for approximately one-fifth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Scaringe holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and believes making sustainable products desirable is essential to achieving lasting climate progress.

In his TIME100 Climate interview, Scaringe emphasized that clean technologies must compete with conventional alternatives on product quality and desirability. Rivian focuses on developing exceptional vehicles that customers genuinely want, with environmental benefits often secondary to their purchasing decisions.

He explained that for most Rivian customers, the climate benefits of driving electric are not necessarily their primary motivation. Instead, vehicle performance, design, capabilities, and overall ownership experience drive demand. Making electric vehicles more appealing than higher-emission alternatives can accelerate adoption without relying exclusively on environmental messaging.

Scaringe also discussed artificial intelligence and its potential role in addressing climate change. He believes AI will contribute to the problem-solving required across product development, technology, and public policy, helping develop solutions to increasingly complex climate challenges. Last year, Scaringe made an impactful climate change video named “Our Only Home.” See it below.