The R2 cabin.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The R2 cabin.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The R2 relies on its touchscreen.
The R2 relies on its touchscreen.
The new thumb wheels.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The new thumb wheels.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The R2 relies on its touchscreen.
The new thumb wheels.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
The back seat.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Here’s the cargo area.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
A native NACS port.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Here’s the frunk.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
At some point, a not-glass roof will be an option.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Open grain wood for the dash.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
I appreciate the ability to change drive modes without taking my hands off the steering wheel, but I wish Sport mode firmed up the steering. And for that aspirational adventure lifestyle, Rivian should offer the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain tires on the smallest 19-inch wheels rather than the 20-inchers as currently.
Those all-terrains eat 23 miles (37 km) of range versus the Pirelli Scorpion all-seasons, though, so only dedicated off-roaders need to worry about such details. And in fairness, airing down to tackle more difficult trails makes much less sense in the R2 than the R1.
On the other hand, everyone should hope for the eventual availability of a solid roof to replace the fully glass ceiling currently available across the R2 lineup. I hate sun glare and the obvious climate control inefficiency of glass above my head in an EV, no matter the tint or silver layer Rivian employs to improve insulation.
Still, despite these finer criticisms, considering the impressive performance, premium design, and shockingly low price, the R2 clearly shows how much Rivian has learned and evolved since launching the R1 for model year 2022.
Some fun customer feedback details include not one but two gloveboxes and dual speakers moved to the center console rather than the doors—both to make way for larger water bottle pockets and to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) by allowing the subwoofers to force-bind in sync with each other.
The R2’s improvements will be carried back to the third generation of the R1 and then continue trickling out to the eventual R3 and R3X. For now, the R2 stands out as one of the best new cars of the year, thanks to delivering exactly what Rivian customers want from an everyday EV. It also improves sustainability, with 25 percent of the total vehicle mass produced from recycled or biologically derived materials.
Not bad for a sophomore effort, Rivian.
Credit:
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Not bad for a sophomore effort, Rivian.
Credit:
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Rivian still believes that the future of 100 percent electric vehicles represents the endgame for the entire automotive industry, even amid widespread backtracking from legacy automakers toward more internal-combustion and hybrid models. Though the road to reach that horizon still looks long, the R2 deserves to bring Rivian to the masses and ever closer to bringing that vision for the future to fruition. That’s especially true given the price point and even more so as an appealing alternative to the Model Y, against which the R2 absolutely reigns supreme.
