2026 Rivian R2 First Review

[jghall00]

The R2 seems like a really good value. I priced out the current model year Equinox EV and it's $56,000 fully equipped. I'm sure no one is actually paying that, but I was a bit insulted because I sat in some of the higher trims when I was shopping a couple of a years ago, and the Equinox is definitely not a $50,000 vehicle. This R2 seems like a much better value. I'm really curious to see what Lucid comes up with because I've been wanting one of their vehicles for a few years now.

 

[dogememe]

The R2 seems like a really good value. I priced out the current model year Equinox EV and it's $56,000 fully equipped. I'm sure no one is actually paying that, but I was a bit insulted because I sat in some of the higher trims when I was shopping a couple of a years ago, and the Equinox is definitely not a $50,000 vehicle. This R2 seems like a much better value. I'm really curious to see what Lucid comes up with because I've been wanting one of their vehicles for a few years now.

As an Equinox EV owner (bought, not leased) who got the car new... 1. it makes no sense to buy a "fully equipped" one. 2. The discounts and promos on these things are insane. I think it's an excellent vehicle, obviously, otherwise there wouldn't be one in the driveway, but someone would literally have to be dumb to pay $56K for it.

People complain about Teslas being "expensive" but if you look at all the stuff that comes standard and then what you need to pay extra for on traditional vehicles (Equinox EV, etc) you see they too are actually an insane value. For example, if you want 360 degree cameras on the Equinox EV, well you aren't getting the basic $35K one, that's for sure. Rivian is kinda playing the same game as Tesla - you get a lot more standard but they don't have to build a million variations of the vehicle. Much smarter IMO.

We don't have the ideal version of the Equinox EV I'd personally get. My choice would be the cheapest one I could find with 19" wheels, whatever the package is called that includes the wireless charging pad, and AWD. I have zero use for AWD but the 0-60 is much quicker.

Ours is a 21" RS FWD. Again, not how I'd spec it, but it's basically my ex's car, he picked the colors and options, and it's what they had in stock.

But like some on here know that follow my shenanigans, it now has 18" gas Blazer wheels because California roads + 21" wheels = no good. Plus at 25-30K miles/year and he drives just as "assertively" as I do the replacement cost of tires on the 21s would have killed us.

Initially I was very skeptical about Rivian but I really have faith in their future now and I think their strategy is brilliant. My uneducated prediction is in a decade they will be one of the remaining american automakers. By then the "Big three" will be Tesla, GM, and Rivian.

 

[buster]

This R2 has my interest. As I approach the end of my powertrain warranty in the Colorado, I'm torn on whether to go back to a car (EV) or get another 4wd vehicle. I was thinking 4Runner Limited with full time 4WD, but this R2 may be the best of both worlds.

I guess the issue is lack of dealers and service.

 

[dogememe]

This R2 has my interest. As I approach the end of my powertrain warranty in the Colorado, I'm torn on whether to go back to a car (EV) or get another 4wd vehicle. I was thinking 4Runner Limited with full time 4WD, but this R2 may be the best of both worlds.

I guess the issue is lack of dealers and service.

The current gen Colorado really appeals to me. If I had to go back to a purely gas vehicle it would be on the list for sure. You're going to laugh but one of the reasons I probably will never get one is the shifter. Why GM isn't using the column shifter out of most of their lineup (gas and electric) is crazy to me. The console shifter is clunky and ugly.

 

[buster]

The current gen Colorado really appeals to me. If I had to go back to a purely gas vehicle it would be on the list for sure. You're going to laugh but one of the reasons I probably will never get one is the shifter. Why GM isn't using the column shifter out of most of their lineup (gas and electric) is crazy to me. The console shifter is clunky and ugly.

The new one is tempting too. Chevy also puts Auto 4WD in their trucks and let me tell it's valuable if you live where there is bad weather.

I have no issues with the Colorado. My favorite mid-size. I just don't need a pickup. I could cap the back though.

This one?

 

[Pablo]

Lousy reception here

R2 price range??

 

[jghall00]

As an Equinox EV owner (bought, not leased) who got the car new... 1. it makes no sense to buy a "fully equipped" one. 2. The discounts and promos on these things are insane. I think it's an excellent vehicle, obviously, otherwise there wouldn't be one in the driveway, but someone would literally have to be dumb to pay $56K for it.

I think GM took a page from the Porsche playbook. Start affordable, but every feature will cost you dearly. The Equinox is a great value at the base price. Anything above that is likely too much. I wonder if the loss of the $7,500 messed up GMs pricing scheme. If so, they haven't really done much to remedy the situation as far as MSRP is concerned.

This R2 has my interest. As I approach the end of my powertrain warranty in the Colorado, I'm torn on whether to go back to a car (EV) or get another 4wd vehicle. I was thinking 4Runner Limited with full time 4WD, but this R2 may be the best of both worlds.

I guess the issue is lack of dealers and service.

It really depends on your driving routine. My understanding from those that drive EVs in snow country is that the even weight distribution of an EV renders AWD unnecessary if you are running snow tires. But ground clearance may be a concern as well if you're in snow country. Also, if it's that cold you have to consider normal driving distances and reduced range. A used Lightning might be a good compromise if the cold weather range impact isn't an issue.

 

[dogememe]

I think GM took a page from the Porsche playbook. Start affordable, but every feature will cost you dearly. The Equinox is a great value at the base price. Anything above that is likely too much. I wonder if the loss of the $7,500 messed up GMs pricing scheme. If so, they haven't really done much to remedy the situation as far as MSRP is concerned.


It really depends on your driving routine. My understanding from those that drive EVs in snow country is that the even weight distribution of an EV renders AWD unnecessary if you are running snow tires. But ground clearance may be a concern as well if you're in snow country. Also, if it's that cold you have to consider normal driving distances and reduced range. A used Lightning might be a good compromise if the cold weather range impact isn't an issue.

I totally agree that they nickel and dime you for things that should be standard and stuff things you want in overpriced packages. But if you add up the discounts up front and the value of the promotional financing it makes it quite affordable.

 

[buster]

I think GM took a page from the Porsche playbook. Start affordable, but every feature will cost you dearly. The Equinox is a great value at the base price. Anything above that is likely too much. I wonder if the loss of the $7,500 messed up GMs pricing scheme. If so, they haven't really done much to remedy the situation as far as MSRP is concerned.


It really depends on your driving routine. My understanding from those that drive EVs in snow country is that the even weight distribution of an EV renders AWD unnecessary if you are running snow tires. But ground clearance may be a concern as well if you're in snow country. Also, if it's that cold you have to consider normal driving distances and reduced range. A used Lightning might be a good compromise if the cold weather range impact isn't an issue.

I've been thinking about range and I'm finding it to be a bit overblown. How often are people driving hundreds of miles per day? I guess quite a few but I think range is fine for most people.

I drove from Philly to Poconos and down western side of NJ to South Jersey last weekend. I could have done that entire trip on one charge. Another thing is I don't drive more than 2 hours without stopping to stretch. I also don't mind waiting a few minutes to charge. Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy.

I guess what I'm getting at is I don't find the typical complaints all that bad.

From my house to Cape May NJ is 92 miles. So hypothetically even in the wintertime if I lost 40% of my 280 miles (112 miles) I could get there on one charge (barely). If i had to stop not a big deal.

 

[buster]

Lousy reception here

R2 price range??

"With a starting price of $46,485 and topping out at $59,485, more than 300 miles of range, and all the technology anyone could ever want, the R2 has everything from the Tesla Model Y to the Toyota RAV4 in its sights."

Homegrown American too.

 

[dogememe]

I've been thinking about range and I'm finding it to be a bit overblown. How often are people driving hundreds of miles per day? I guess quite a few but I think range is fine for most people.

I drove from Philly to Poconos and down eastern side of NJ to South Jersey last weekend. I could have done that entire trip on one charge. Another thing is I don't drive more than 2 hours without stopping to stretch. I also don't mind waiting a few minutes to charge. Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy.

I guess what I'm getting at is I don't find the typical complaints all that bad.

I mean I went on a day trip with the Prologue, a quite inefficient EV, when it was cold to go see some snow. Plus all that uphill from Bay Area basically halfed my range. But plenty of chargers albeit without Supercharger adapter would have been a hassle. I know that's not "real cold" weather but it was a fine experience.

And my drive to LA and back in the Tesla was awesome. The Model 3 had no problem meeting EPA estimated range even though we zoom zoomed and it was super hot out so the AC was screaming the entire time. Like I have posted before, the battery outlasted our need for bathroom breaks or snack stops and the total trip time was probably within margin of error compared to a gas car.

I think people hear a horror story from early EV owners or people that did road trips without access to the Supercharger network. But even the non-Tesla networks are better now. More chargers that are faster and more reliable. The local Costco has like 10 chargers. Walmart is getting in on the action. Ionna is working hard on it... basically funded by major automakers because they realized that a great DCFC will help them sell more EVs.

 

[jghall00]

I've been thinking about range and I'm finding it to be a bit overblown. How often are people driving hundreds of miles per day? I guess quite a few but I think range is fine for most people.

I drove from Philly to Poconos and down eastern side of NJ to South Jersey last weekend. I could have done that entire trip on one charge. Another thing is I don't drive more than 2 hours without stopping to stretch. I also don't mind waiting a few minutes to charge. Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy.

I guess what I'm getting at is I don't find the typical complaints all that bad.

For local driving range isn't an issue unless you can't charge at home, in which case public charging can get expensive so efficiency becomes paramount. The biggest complaints usually arise from people that have never owned an EV, or that travel long distance frequently in frigid temps. Doesn't sound like that's you. In truth, It's probably not most people. As with vehicle repairs, the ones that encounter the most issues tend to be most vocal. Most people that own these vehicles have done their research and understand the limitations. It's relatively small part of the population that are dropping 45K on a vehicle without knowing what it can and can't do. Whenever I see someone complain about trying to charge on 120V in winter and not recovering enough range my mind goes to...how did you make it this far in life?

 

[buster]

I see enough charges now that I don't think it would be a problem for me. However, I do like driving to rural areas to explore do some light off-roading. So the Rivian has my attention being it's one of the few off-road EVs out there.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I often wonder about Rivian, and other EV companies, as to how they can continue operations while operating at a loss. The GMsof the world can absorb their EV losses with their overall (trucks) product line. But that's just the finance guy in me.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I've been thinking about range and I'm finding it to be a bit overblown. How often are people driving hundreds of miles per day? I guess quite a few but I think range is fine for most people.

300 mile EPA rating seems to be the sweet spot to me. In the rare times I need to charge on the road, a Starbucks stop gets me a nice charge. Now, I have never driven to, say LA.

 

[JeffKeryk]

As an Equinox EV owner (bought, not leased) who got the car new... 1. it makes no sense to buy a "fully equipped" one. 2. The discounts and promos on these things are insane. I think it's an excellent vehicle, obviously, otherwise there wouldn't be one in the driveway, but someone would literally have to be dumb to pay $56K for it.

People complain about Teslas being "expensive" but if you look at all the stuff that comes standard and then what you need to pay extra for on traditional vehicles (Equinox EV, etc) you see they too are actually an insane value. For example, if you want 360 degree cameras on the Equinox EV, well you aren't getting the basic $35K one, that's for sure. Rivian is kinda playing the same game as Tesla - you get a lot more standard but they don't have to build a million variations of the vehicle. Much smarter IMO.

We don't have the ideal version of the Equinox EV I'd personally get. My choice would be the cheapest one I could find with 19" wheels, whatever the package is called that includes the wireless charging pad, and AWD. I have zero use for AWD but the 0-60 is much quicker.

Ours is a 21" RS FWD. Again, not how I'd spec it, but it's basically my ex's car, he picked the colors and options, and it's what they had in stock.

But like some on here know that follow my shenanigans, it now has 18" gas Blazer wheels because California roads + 21" wheels = no good. Plus at 25-30K miles/year and he drives just as "assertively" as I do the replacement cost of tires on the 21s would have killed us.

Initially I was very skeptical about Rivian but I really have faith in their future now and I think their strategy is brilliant. My uneducated prediction is in a decade they will be one of the remaining american automakers. By then the "Big three" will be Tesla, GM, and Rivian.

I just helped my neighbors get a '26 Lex RZ350e Premium; the range was just bumped to 300 miles. FWD, not a crazy 0-60 car, but a really nice package with the Tesla charging port.
Is it Tesla high tech? No, but what is? Do you need or want that? For $37K + the governor's tax, it is a compelling option, IMO.
Full disclosure, this was a heck of a deal, but just the same.

 

[Pablo]

I often wonder about Rivian, and other EV companies, as to how they can continue operations while operating at a loss. The GMsof the world can absorb their EV losses with their overall (trucks) product line. But that's just the finance guy in me.

One boss years ago said if we are losing money on a product we would make up for it with volume!

If the R2 is good, could be a breakthrough. Wife is interested

 

[JeffKeryk]

One boss years ago said if we are losing money on a product we would make up for it with volume!

If the R2 is good, could be a breakthrough. Wife is interested

I've never driven a Rivian, or even checked one out. There are a bunch running around here, but that's nothing new.
If you are at all interested, I suggest looking at the Lex RZ350e. You can do real well, as far as a EV SUV goes.

 

[Pablo]

I've never driven a Rivian, or even checked one out. There are a bunch running around here, but that's nothing new.
If you are at all interested, I suggest looking at the Lex RZ350e. You can do real well, as far as a EV SUV goes.

You got to admit that RZ is one ugly automobile

Never before in the history of car front ends have they been more nasty grotesque than recent battery cars

 

[JeffKeryk]

You got to admit that RZ is one ugly automobile

Never before in the history of car front ends have they been more nasty grotesque than recent battery cars

What? I love me a Cybertruk...