Rivian R2 priced at $45,000, range over 300 miles, 0-60 in under 3.0 seconds.

The Rivian is about to go mainstream with low-priced models that will go up against everything from the Tesla Model Y to the Chevrolet Blazer EV.

On Thursday, the Rivian R2 debuted two years earlier than it was due to appear. The R2S, which will go into production in Normal, Illinois, will cost $45,000 and have a range of up to 330 miles.

The Rivian R2 looks like the automaker shrunk the R1S, a large three-row SUV, and put it on a light ray device. With a wheelbase of 115.6 inches and an overall length of 185.6 inches, the R2 has a wheelbase 5.5 inches shorter and an overall length 15.2 inches shorter than the R1S. Thus, the R2's wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than the Tesla Model Y, but its overall length is 1.4 inches shorter than the Tesla.

The R2S's height is 66.9 inches, 10.4 inches lower than the R1S. the R2 skips the split tailgate design of larger SUVs, but has a front hinged pop-out rear window and a roll-down tailgate window, like the Toyota 4Runner ...

The Rivian R2 is a five-passenger, two-row SUV that does not offer a small third-row seat like the Model Y, but both the first and second row seats fold completely flat. Rivian has carved out a large flank that can carry the SUV's bike mounting system when not in use. According to Rivian, this bike mounting system can be slotted into the rear accessory port without tools; expect to see a vast array of accessories with the R2 in 2026.

The R2 rides on Rivian's skateboard chassis and carries a battery pack made of 4695-style cells and one, two, or three electric motors. According to Livian, the R2 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds.

The R2 is not as capable of driving in the wilderness as the larger R2. It has a maximum ground clearance of 9.8 inches, and with 32-inch all-terrain tires, the approach angle is 25 degrees and the departure angle is 27 degrees.

On the interior, the Rivian R2 features a digital meter cluster, a large touchscreen, and sustainable materials such as birchwood trim and recycled marine plastic.

All R2s will be able to charge at Tesla Supercharging Stations through standard NACS charging ports. According to Livian, the R2S can also be fast-charged via CCS, possibly via an adapter. In a design change from the R1, which placed the charging port on the driver's side front corner, the R2 places the charging port on the passenger side rear fender.