Canadian Buyers Await R2 Pricing as R1 Starts at $145,000

• Rivian removed the Dual Standard R1T and R1S from its lineup.

• R1 pricing in Canada begins at approximately $145,000, compared to US$80,000.

• Canadian pricing for the new R2 has not yet been announced.

Rivian has removed the Dual Standard versions of its R1T pickup and R1S SUV from its online configurator, ending sales of the least expensive variants in its flagship vehicle lineup.

The company had previously indicated the trims would be discontinued later this year as it streamlined the R1 range to make room for the R2. The Dual Standard models paired dual electric motors with Rivian’s smallest battery pack and delivered an EPA-estimated driving range of 270 miles or 435 km.

Before being withdrawn, the R1T Dual Standard carried a starting price of US$72,990, while the R1S Dual Standard started at US$76,990 (approx. CDN$110,000). The remaining Dual models equipped with larger battery packs now become the entry points to the R1 lineup, raising starting prices to US$79,990 for the R1T and US$83,990 for the R1S, or $145,110 and $152,110 respectively in Canada.

Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe previously said that relatively few customers selected the entry-level versions, with most buyers opting for larger battery packs that deliver additional driving range. Dual models equipped with the Large battery pack offer an EPA-estimated range of up to 329 miles or 529 km.

Even if few opted for the smaller battery models, the product changes coincide with the launch of the R2 crossover. Customer deliveries of the first R2 Performance Launch Package models have begun in the United States with a starting price of US$57,990.

Rivian has also outlined plans to introduce a lower-priced R2 variant expected to start at approximately US$45,000. Trim and pricing plans for the R2 in Canada have yet to be revealed.

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The absence of Canadian pricing is particularly worrisome because Rivian’s existing R1 vehicles occupy the premium end of the market. Current Canadian pricing for R1 models leaves us wondering if the R2 will be remotely affordable. There’s a 55% price jump, dollar for dollar, between the countries that, if applied to R2 pricing, signifies that the new EV’s starting price will sit around CDN$70,000 while the Performance Launch Package would retail for $20,000 more.

Without competitive Canadian pricing, the R2 may be viewed less as an accessible EV and more as another midsize electric SUV. Hopefully the R3 will fit the bill…

Source: Insideevs