Rivian R2 first drive: the mass-market EV aimed at the Model Y

Rivian's long-awaited R2 — the brand's first true mass-market vehicle — is finally on the road, and early impressions suggest it could become the company's best seller. Starting at $44,900, the five-passenger electric SUV scales down the design of the larger R1S to take direct aim at the Tesla Model Y, with trims ranging up to a $57,990 Performance version.

On the road, reviewers describe the R2 as a genuine step up in driving dynamics: the Performance variant hits 0–60 mph in about 3.6 seconds, offers an EPA-estimated 330 miles of range, and handles much more like a sports car than Rivian's heavier R1 models. Despite its boxier shape and larger tires, efficiency reportedly matches the Model Y, and thoughtful touches — a drop-down rear glass and haptic steering-wheel controls — round out a refined interior.

The caveats are notable, though. The R2 launches without Level 3 autonomy hardware (a Lidar-equipped version is expected later this year), its 10–80% charging takes around 30 minutes — slower than 800-volt rivals that manage under 20 — and the long-promised vehicle-to-grid capability still isn't available. The bigger question is execution: Rivian now has to scale from a niche builder into a mass-market manufacturer, the same leap that nearly sank Tesla. If it succeeds, the R2 may well cannibalize sales of its pricier R1 line.