The Rivian R2 arrives on the market as an attempt to deliver most of the strengths of the R1S in a smaller, less expensive electric vehicle. According to Engadget’s test, the vehicle succeeds in combining an off-road-oriented design, a practical cabin, strong performance, and advanced software without the larger size or higher price of the bigger model.
The R2 received a rating of 9 out of 10. Prices start at $44,900 for the single-motor version, while the dual-motor Premium version starts at $53,990, and the Performance version with the Launch Package starts at $57,990. The highest-performance version is currently available, while the Premium is expected to launch in late 2026 and the base version in spring 2027.
Smaller Size with Practical Features
The R2 borrows many of the R1S’s design cues, including its boxy body, distinctive headlights, and integrated handles, but comes in a midsize form that is better suited to everyday family use. The vehicle includes integrated tow hooks, roof-rack provisions, a 12-volt outlet, and a 120-volt socket, as well as a 5.2-cubic-foot front trunk with a drain plug.
The cabin features a 15.6-inch central display and an 11.5-inch driver display, along with some physical controls and touch-sensitive control wheels on the steering wheel. The rear seats offer good room for adults, while cargo capacity reaches about 30 cubic feet with the storage floor raised and the seats folded in a 60/40 split.
Vehicle Software Goes Beyond Reliance on a Phone
Rivian relies on an internally developed infotainment system instead of making Android Auto or Apple CarPlay the foundation of the experience. The interface organizes music, drive modes, navigation, and charging functions into clear tabs and uses Google Maps. The system also includes parking-assistance cameras and the Gear Guard feature, which records footage while driving or when the vehicle is parked.
The vehicle supports Apple Music, SiriusXM, and Spotify, but some advanced functions are tied to a Connect+ subscription costing $15 per month or $150 per year. The subscription adds a Wi-Fi hotspot, video streaming, and other features. Rivian Assistant, which provides expanded voice control and messaging integration, was not yet available in the R2 at the time of testing, although the company planned to add it before the end of the year.
Strong Performance and Promising Driver Assistance
The Performance version produces 656 horsepower and accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds, with a weight of about 5,000 pounds. This gives it quick responses, while its suspension systems, drive modes, and multiple regenerative-braking settings maintain a good degree of control on paved roads and rough surfaces.
The Autonomy+ service enables hands-free driving on more than 3.5 million miles of roads in the United States and Canada, for $50 per month or a one-time purchase price of $2,500 after a 60-day free trial. The function appeared smooth on highways, including during lane changes and in traffic, but it was less consistent on some local streets when road markings were unclear. It therefore remains a driver-assistance feature rather than fully autonomous driving.
Good Range and Less Notable Charging
The Premium and Performance versions promise up to 330 miles of range from an 88-kilowatt-hour battery, a figure the practical test came close to achieving. The vehicle supports the NACS standard, with the option to use a CCS adapter. Rivian says the 400-volt architecture allows charging at up to 230 kilowatts, but testing at a 350-kilowatt EVgo station recorded a peak of 161 kilowatts, with charging from 10 to 80 percent taking about 27 minutes.
Why Does This News Matter?
The R2’s importance lies in bringing Rivian’s technology experience to a lower-priced, smaller segment instead of limiting it to large, expensive electric vehicles. However, the review indicates that the purchasing decision does not depend on performance alone: some software features require a subscription, the voice assistant was not ready, and charging performance and hands-free driving on local roads leave room for improvement. As a result, the R2 appears to be a well-rounded option, but not one free of trade-offs that buyers should evaluate before placing a reservation.