The Rivian R2 has made its first known appearance on Canadian roads, with a camouflaged prototype spotted in British Columbia as the automaker begins testing in Canada ahead of its planned 2027 launch.
Photos shared on X by Brian show a camouflaged R2 parked in South Surrey, British Columbia. While Rivian has tested the vehicle extensively in the United States and just recently began deliveries, this is the first reported sighting north of the border.
Rivian had originally planned to showcase the R2 in Vancouver and Toronto in 2024, but those appearances were cancelled at the last minute after the test vehicle was damaged in transit following its display at SXSW in Austin.
As for the prototype now in Canada, it was outfitted with Rivian’s signature camouflage along with a British Columbia manufacturer licence plate. Unlike a U.S. registered test vehicle temporarily crossing the border, the local manufacturer plate suggests Rivian has registered the SUV in the province for testing.
Rivian R2 in Canada! BC Manufacture plates on it. First one I have seen or heard of up here. At Wendy's in South Surrey. BC @RivianTrackr @RivianUpdates @RivianRoamer@JoshWest247@DriveTeslaca pic.twitter.com/evoGhEnQFf
— Brian4591 (@brian4591) June 24, 2026
While the sighting is good news, it doesn’t mean Rivian is accelerating their plans to launch the R2 in Canada. Reservation holders have been waiting since pre-orders opened in 2024, but the company has since pushed Canadian deliveries to 2027.
Earlier this year, Rivian also removed the previously displayed Canadian starting price of $66,500 from its website, replacing it with a simple “Coming 2027” message.
While Canadians still have a long wait ahead of them, customers in the U.S. have already begun taking delivery of the R2. Built at Rivian’s Illinois factory, the midsize electric SUV starts at US$48,490 and is expected to become the automaker’s highest-volume model thanks to its lower price point compared to the premium R1T and R1S.
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