Rivian has officially set June 9 as the next major milestone for its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV, confirming that order invitations, first customer deliveries, and demo drives will all begin on the same day.
The announcement marks Rivian’s transition from previewing and configuring the R2 to finally putting vehicles into customer hands. After months of teasers, shifting timelines, and growing excitement, Rivian says the first R2s will soon start arriving “in driveways across America.”
The company posted the announcement on X, with their software lead Wassym Bensaid sharing that customers can save and share vehicle configurations ahead of their invitation window. This also allows buyers to lock in their preferred colours, interiors, wheels, and options before ordering officially opens.
Save your favorite R2. Share it. Come back to it. The online builder now remembers the configurations you love: https://t.co/BU6P0h6EWL pic.twitter.com/RFDZILJmEp
— Wassym Bensaid (@WassymBensaid) May 27, 2026
Invitations Will Roll Out in Batches
Rivian says invitations will begin rolling out in waves starting June 9 as production ramps up. The company explained that reservation timestamps and delivery locations will play the biggest role in determining who gets access first.
Customers located near Rivian Service and Demo Centers in the U.S. are expected to receive invitations sooner, helping Rivian streamline deliveries during the early production ramp.
Existing Rivian owners will also receive priority treatment, although Rivian says it is balancing allocations between current owners and new customers “to keep the line moving for everyone.”
The automaker is also considering lease timing. Customers with leases ending soon can submit that information through their Rivian account in hopes of accelerating delivery timing. Rivian says owners currently leasing an R1 through Rivian are already being accounted for automatically.
Interestingly, Rivian also confirmed it will include a randomly selected group of reservation holders in early invite batches to help improve delivery timing estimates and refine the ordering process.
Performance Launch Edition Arrives First
As previously announced, the first version of the R2 available to order will be the Performance trim with the Launch Package, priced at US$57,990.
The dual-motor all wheel-drive SUV produces 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, while offering an estimated 330 miles (531 km) of range. Rivian claims a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds.
The Launch Package includes Rivian’s upcoming Autonomy+ hands-free driving system, a tow package, exclusive Launch Green paint, and a special Rivian Green key fob.
Rivian says customers who confirm their orders can expect delivery within two to six weeks.
Demo Drives Also Begin June 9
Starting June 9, Rivian Spaces across the U.S. will begin offering R2 demo drives. Reservation holders with active order invitations will receive priority access, although Rivian says all customers will eventually be able to schedule one.
In preparation for the June 9 launch, the company has already started transporting R2 demo units to showrooms, as seen in this photo taken in Irvine, California. (via Reddit)

While the U.S. launch is now just days away, Canadian customers still face a longer wait. Rivian has not announced Canadian ordering timelines yet, with deliveries north of the border still expected sometime in 2027.
Always get the latest - make Drive Tesla your preferred source on Google
Are you buying a Tesla? If you enjoy our content and we helped in your decision, use our referral link to get three months of Full Self-Driving (FSD).Drive Tesla uses affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
