Rivian has added Half Moon Grey to its R1 lineup, replacing El Cap Granite as the grey option on both the R1S SUV and R1T pickup. The metallic finish, inspired by the coastal cliffs of Half Moon Bay, California, debuted on the R2 at SXSW in March and is now available for R1 buyers configuring Dual trim or higher.
Highlights
- Half Moon Grey replaces El Cap Granite on R1S and R1T models, offering warmer tones and finer metallic flake than its predecessor.
- The color draws from Half Moon Bay’s cliffside geology, evoking layers of granite and sandstone shifting under warm light.
- Rivian now offers three grey-toned options across its lineup: LA Silver and Half Moon Grey on R1, plus Esker Silver on R2.
- R2 employee deliveries begin this month, with external handovers expected in late spring starting at $57,990 for the Performance Launch Edition.
Design Philosophy Behind the New Finish
Rivian described Half Moon Grey as carrying similar depth to El Cap Granite but with notable differences in character. The company said the new shade is “less blue” than its predecessor, introducing “more warmth and a finer metallic that is a more natural expression of grey.”
The finish uses significantly finer metallic flakes than El Cap Granite, producing a surface that the automaker said “both sparkles and glows.” Rivian characterized the color as “subtle in tone and designed to shift with its surroundings.”
The design direction aligns with comments from CEO RJ Scaringe, who told Access in January 2026 that Rivian deliberately pursued a visual language “that’s more calming or more approachable.” He added: “Something that feels timeless, it’s not too aggressive, it’s not trying too hard.”
R1 Color Availability
Half Moon Grey is available on R1S and R1T in Dual trim and above. Standard-color options remain LA Silver, Glacier White, and Forest Green across all R1 variants. Storm Blue continues as a Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor exclusive.
Borealis, the limited-edition purple introduced on R1 models late last year, has been removed from the R1 configurator as of this week. Red Canyon, which was discontinued for the 2026 model year alongside Limestone, has been reintroduced exclusively on R1 models.
The entry-level R1T is currently limited to LA Silver, while the Dual Standard R1S — which Rivian has signaled will end production as the R2 launches — is restricted to the three standard colors.
Where Half Moon Grey Fits in the R2 Palette
Half Moon Grey is one of three new colors Rivian introduced with the R2 at SXSW, alongside Catalina Cove and Esker Silver. The full R2 palette includes eight options: Catalina Cove, Esker Silver, Half Moon Grey, Borealis, Midnight, Forest Green, Launch Green, and Glacier White.
Esker Silver serves as the standard R2 color. Catalina Cove arrives with the Premium trim later this year, while Borealis and Rivian Green are available from launch on the Performance variant. The R2 Standard, priced at $45,000 with approximately 265 miles of range, is not expected until late 2027.
Rivian’s Color Strategy
Rivian’s paint palette has expanded steadily since the R1 launch, with each color tied to a geographic or natural reference point. The original lineup included Rivian Blue, El Cap Granite, Red Canyon, Limestone, and Forest Green, among others. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Pantone to formalize Launch Green as “Rivian Green,” positioning the shade as a brand identifier. Compass Yellow, which appears in Rivian’s logo, was discontinued in 2023 due to low demand.
Limited-edition colors have included the California Dune sand finish and the 10-unit Miami Edition R1S with white paint and blue accents.
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