Rivian R2's Official Canadian Range Revealed: 531 km — and Bigger Wheels Actually Help

Natural Resources Canada has posted the official certified range for the all-new Rivian R2, the midsize electric SUV expected to launch in Canada for the 2027 model year. The headline number: the Performance AWD with 21-inch wheels gets an estimated 531 kilometres of all-electric range on the NRCan combined cycle — and in a plot twist, the larger wheels actually deliver more range than the all-terrain package.

The wheel-size surprise

Typically, EVs lose driving range when you move to larger-diameter wheels, because the taller sidewall means more rolling distance per revolution. The R2 inverts that trade-off:

• 21-inch wheels (street tires): 531 km estimated range
• 20-inch wheels (all-terrain tires): 494 km estimated range — a 37 km (7%) penalty

The reason is straightforward: the 20-inch package fits all-terrain tires that add grip for dirt, mud, and rocks but also increase rolling resistance. The 21-inch wheels with low-profile street tires simply have less drag, so the battery lasts longer. TireAgent research puts the typical all-terrain range penalty at 2–10%, and the R2's 7% sits right in that band.

Full powertrain lineup

The R2 will be offered in three grades for Canada:

• Standard: RWD, 350 hp. NRCan hasn't posted a range yet; Rivian estimates 442 km.
• Premium: Dual-motor AWD, 450 hp. NRCan hasn't posted a range yet; Rivian estimates 531 km.
• Performance: Dual-motor AWD, 656 hp. NRCan certified: 531 km (21") / 494 km (20" AT).

Canadian launch timing

Rivian's website lists the R2 as "coming to Canada in 2027," though an exact month hasn't been announced. The NRCan listing means the vehicle has completed the official fuel-consumption certification, which typically precedes a dealer arrival by a few months. For context, the R2 was revealed in March 2026 and has been in US production since mid-2026; the Canadian certification is the last regulatory step before import and sale.

At 531 km, the Performance R2 would out-range the current Tesla Model Y Long Range (533 km WLTP / ~455 km NRCan) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD (451 km NRCan), making it one of the longest-range midsize EVs available in Canada when it lands.

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