Rivian’s own configurator shows how little a $26,000 premium buys between its two SUVs. The R2 Performance costs $57,990. The R1S Dual costs $83,990. That gap nets nine more horsepower, two tenths of a second off the 0-60 time, and one fewer mile of EPA range. The real difference between these two Rivians lives somewhere other than the spec sheet.
Running The Numbers Rivian’s Own Configurator Shows
The R2 Performance lists at $57,990 with 656 horsepower, a 3.6-second 0-60 time, and 330 miles of EPA-rated range. The R1S Dual starts at $83,990 with up to 665 horsepower, a 3.4-second 0-60 time, and 329 EPA miles on the Large battery with 22-inch wheels.
Spending the extra $26,000 buys nine more horsepower, two tenths of a second, and one mile less range. Rivian’s configurator and EPA data confirm these figures directly, leaving little room for interpretation.
Where The R1S Actually Pulls Ahead
Size separates these two SUVs more than raw performance. The R1S measures 200.8 inches long on a 121.1-inch wheelbase, substantially larger than the R2, and offers a third row of seating the R2 does not.
The R1S’s approach and departure angles of 35.8 and 34.4 degrees also reflect a vehicle built for more serious off-road capability, a difference the horsepower and range figures alone do not capture.
Technician’s Note: Compare trims that sit closest on power and range, not a vehicle’s absolute top configuration against the other’s base trim. Mismatched trim comparisons can make a price gap look larger or smaller than it actually is.
Why This Comparison Points Most Buyers Toward The R2
For buyers who don’t need a third row or maximum off-road capability, the R2 Performance delivers nearly identical daily-driving power and range at a substantially lower price. That value gap explains why Rivian expects the R2 to become its highest-volume model.
Rivian’s R2 lineup also expands access further over time, with a Premium trim at $53,990, a Standard Long Range arriving in early 2027 near $48,490, and a confirmed $45,000 base model planned for late 2027.
When The R1S Still Makes Sense
A buyer who needs three rows of seating has effectively already made the decision, since the R2 does not offer that configuration. Families requiring seven-passenger capacity have no R2 equivalent to compare against.
The R1S’s four-motor Quad configuration also delivers dramatically more power than anything in the R2 lineup, for buyers prioritizing maximum performance over value regardless of the price gap.
Common Questions About Rivian R2 Vs. R1S
Is the Rivian R1S actually faster than the R2 Performance?
Marginally. The R1S Dual hits 0-60 in as little as 3.4 seconds versus the R2 Performance’s 3.6 seconds, a two-tenths-of-a-second gap that costs roughly $26,000 more in the closest comparable trims.
Does the Rivian R1S have more range than the R2?
No, slightly less in this comparison. The R1S Dual with the Large battery and 22-inch wheels rates at 329 EPA miles, one mile less than the R2 Performance’s 330-mile rating.
Why would someone choose the R1S over the cheaper R2?
Primarily for the third row of seating and larger size, which the R2 does not offer at any price. The R1S also provides a more powerful four-motor Quad option for buyers prioritizing maximum performance.
