You can’t mistake the 2026 R2 for anything other than a Rivian. If it’s not the headlights that give it away, the profile certainly will. Like its bigger siblings, it looks both futuristic and capable, with those signature headlamps and light bar up front. Rivian says this design prioritizes the adventure component of its vehicles, and to that end, all the passenger windows and the rear glass can drop fully to enable an open-air driving experience. The rear quarter windows also vent to let the air in.
The launch model rides on 20-inch wheels, and it remains to be seen whether 21-inch upgrades will be available and whether any new styles will be introduced.
At the tail end, the Rivian R2 has a bold light bar that wraps around from the side of the vehicle across the full width of the tailgate, just like we’ve seen on the R1S. On the new models, the charging port has also been moved to the rear of the vehicle, possibly to accommodate charging on Tesla’s network.
As far as exterior colors go for the 2026 Rivian R2, nothing has been announced. The current palette will flatter the little crossover, too, with noteworthy hues like Forest Green, Rivian Blue, and Midnight. There’s a contrasting black painted roof on the R2, too, making it look even more like a baby R1S.