Rivian R2 Named MotorTrend’s 2027 SUV of the Year

MotorTrend has named the Rivian R2 its 2027 SUV of the Year, selecting the midsize electric SUV from a field of 32 gasoline, hybrid and electric competitors.

MotorTrend said the win makes Rivian the first EV startup to take two Of the Year titles, after the R1T was named 2022 Truck of the Year.

The award is Rivian’s second MotorTrend title

MotorTrend announced the award on November 11, naming the R2 the top SUV among 32 gasoline, hybrid and electric contenders. The win is Rivian’s second MotorTrend title, following the R1T’s 2022 Truck of the Year award.

Ed Loh, MotorTrend’s Head of Editorial, said Rivian had become the first EV startup to win two Of the Year awards, according to Rivian.

Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe called the decision a full-circle moment, coming just a few months after the first R2 deliveries. MotorTrend measures every vehicle in the running against the same six criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, value, safety and efficiency.

Rivian said judges favored the R2 because it covers nearly every SUV use case, combining on-road and off-road performance with passenger and cargo space, technology and what the company describes as a strong value.

The R2 is offered in three trims

The Performance model, which is available now, starts at $57,990. It uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system rated at 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, can reach 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds and is rated at up to 330 miles of EPA-estimated range.

The Premium trim is due later in 2026 and starts at $53,990. It also uses dual-motor all-wheel drive, with 450 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torque, a 4.6-second run to 60 mph and up to 330 miles of EPA-estimated range.

A Standard rear-wheel-drive Long Range model is planned for spring 2027, starting at $48,490, with 350 horsepower, a 5.9-second run to 60 mph and up to 345 miles of Rivian-estimated range. A second Standard variant is due in summer 2027, starting at $44,990, with a Rivian-estimated range of 275 miles or more. Those two Standard range figures are Rivian’s own estimates, not official EPA ratings.

The R2 is assembled in Normal, Illinois

R2 production takes place on a dedicated line at Rivian’s plant in Normal, Illinois, the same factory that builds the R1S and R1T. Rivian is also constructing a second plant in Stanton Springs, Georgia, which is expected to start assembling vehicles in late 2028.

In its initial phase, the Georgia factory is expected to add annual capacity of up to 300,000 units for the R2, a planned robotaxi platform and future models.

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