2027 Rivian R2 first drive: A total EV game-changer
▼ Summary
– Rivian began customer deliveries of the R2 in July, aiming to transition from a startup to a mass-market EV maker with a starting price under $60,000 for the Launch Edition.
– The R2 is a two-row crossover measuring 185.9 inches long, closely matching the dimensions of best-selling US cars like the Honda CRV.
– In person, the R2 appears smaller than expected, closer to a Toyota RAV4 in size, due to a semi-monocoque and sandwich battery layout that extends the wheelbase.
– The R2 offers 9.6 inches of ground clearance, matching a base Jeep Wrangler, and provides extended second-row legroom and fully roll-down windows.
– The vehicle retains Rivian’s recognizable design language but features unique packaging solutions, with an upright profile that prioritizes off-road capability over aerodynamics.
Rivian flew a group of journalists from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah, and covered lodging so that Ars could test the R2. The publication does not accept paid editorial content.
This month marks a pivotal moment for the electric vehicle startup as it begins customer deliveries of the highly anticipated R2 model, a vehicle designed to bring Rivian’s aspirational adventure lifestyle to the mainstream EV market. Achieving that goal has required significant cost-cutting, scaling up production, and attracting a broader customer base. That’s a tall order for a relatively compact crossover.
To demonstrate how a startup evolves into a mass-market automaker, Rivian organized a scenic media event in Utah where journalists could drive the Launch Edition both on pavement and off-road. That version stickers for just under $60,000, including destination fees. The event also offered extensive access to the underlying technology that makes this critical electric crossover tick.
The R2’s dimensions align almost perfectly with the best-selling cars in the United States today. Unlike the three-row R1S or the pickup R1T, this is a dedicated two-row model. It measures 185.9 inches (4,722 mm) in length, roughly one inch longer than a Honda CR-V. While the R2 carries the instantly recognizable profile and design language of its larger siblings, unique packaging constraints led to some clever engineering solutions.
Seeing the R2 in person, I was struck by how much smaller it feels than expected. Its length, width, and height seem closer to a Toyota RAV4, which measures 180.9 inches (4,595 mm) long. That visual trick may stem from Rivian’s use of a semi-monocoque structure with a sandwich battery layout instead of a traditional skateboard platform. This design frees up more than 9 inches (229 mm) of additional wheelbase compared to the RAV4.
The family resemblance to the larger R1S is unmistakable. The R2 makes do with just two rows of seats. Depending on the drive mode selected, an R1 sits about 8 inches (203 mm) taller, while a Tesla Model Y is one inch longer and just under 3 inches (76 mm) shorter. True to Rivian’s off-road ethos, the R2’s ground clearance matches a base Jeep Wrangler Sport or Sahara at 9.6 inches (244 mm).
That extended wheelbase allowed Rivian to stretch second-row legroom compared to the R1, while also leaving enough space inside the passenger doors for the window glass to roll down fully. The low beltline, particularly noticeable when compared to the many “coupe”-style SUVs and crossovers on the market, combines with an upright profile to make aerodynamics seem like something of an afterthought.
(Source: Ars Technica)
