Rivian has officially launched the R2 — a smaller, more affordable two-row electric SUV that punches well above its weight class. Despite the lower price point, the company hasn’t cut corners. Most of the savings come from smarter engineering.
The proof is in the details. The R2’s wiring harness ditches roughly two miles of cable compared to the R1. Many of the vehicle’s systems and chipsets have been consolidated too. The result is a starting price between $44,990 and $57,990, making it one of the most compelling electric SUVs on the market right now.
So how is it in real life? I flew out to Utah to find out.
The R2 looks surprisingly good
If you’ve been following the debate around the Ferrari Luce, you know how polarizing aerodynamic-first design can be. Rivian took a different approach. Aerodynamic efficiency is critical for range, but the company seems willing to sacrifice a few miles if it means the R2 is easier on the eyes.
Spoiler: the right call was made. The R2 looks like a proper two-row SUV — boxy, commanding, and genuinely good-looking. You’d be happy to be seen behind the wheel. And it still manages an estimated 345 miles of range on some trims.
How does it drive?
Rivian completely reworked the chassis, batteries, and motors for the R2. The result is a lighter, more efficient vehicle. The top-tier “Performance” dual-motor AWD setup cranks out 656 horsepower and hits 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
During the road test portion of the drive event, I took the R2 along some winding mountain roads — the kind where a mistake sends you and your car over the edge. So I wasn’t pushing too hard. But even at double the recommended speed for that kind of road, the Rivian felt planted and confident.
Ride quality was impressive too. Body roll was minimal even on the curviest sections. The regenerative braking and acceleration are both quite aggressive though — combine them with enthusiastic driving on winding roads, and motion sickness is a real possibility.
Off-road capability surprises
With its all-electric powertrain, no locking differential, and considerable weight, it’s easy to write the R2 off as an off-roader. But it’s surprisingly capable. I managed to take it along sections of trail I didn’t think it could handle. It wasn’t always easy — the open diff meant I had to rethink my line a few times — but the R2 got there in the end.
With 9.6 inches of ground clearance and approach/departure angles of 25° and 26°, tagging rocks or bumps is rarely a concern. The battery pack also seems more than capable of handling the occasional knock.
The interior still feels premium
When a manufacturer cuts costs, the interior is usually the first thing to suffer. Not here. The seats are technically pleather, but it’s the same high-quality faux leather Rivian uses in the R1S and R1T. There’s no cheap plastic in sight — plenty of wood, nice textures, and zero piano black trim (which puts it ahead of some six-figure supercars I’ve driven).
The seats are highly adjustable, legroom is generous, and overall comfort is excellent with features like ventilated seats available.
Infotainment and controls: a mixed bag
The most distinctive feature of the R2 might be the “Haptic Halo Wheels” that control everything from drive modes to infotainment. There’s a learning curve — expect a few weeks to get comfortable with all the gestures. People will either love or hate them, but the wheels themselves are machined metal and feel fantastic to interact with.
Rivian’s ADAS capabilities are still a work in progress. The company promises Level 2 self-driving to rival Tesla, with Level 3 and eventually Level 4 on the roadmap. For now, it trails both Tesla’s FSD and GM’s Super Cruise in overall performance.
Should you buy a Rivian R2?
The R2 enters the most competitive automotive segment in the world. The BMW iX3 and Lucid Cosmos are both strong contenders. But Rivian has managed to undercut both while maintaining much of the quality that established it as a premium brand over the past decade.
The battle for the mid-range, mid-sized EV market is just getting started — but based on what I’ve seen, the R2 will take some beating.
