The Rivian R2 offers plenty of room for families, with space for a rear-facing car seat and rear seats that fold flat for an overnight camping setup.
But shoppers drawn to its $45,000 starting price will have to wait. The standard version isn't expected until early 2027.
Here's what to know
In a YouTube review with a family focus, Micah Muzio (@MicahMuzio) tested the $60,000 Performance version of the R2, examining everything from passenger comfort and child-seat installation to charging and driving on pavement and dirt.
Rear passengers cannot change the seatback angle, but the flat floor leaves usable space for someone in the center, Muzio noted. The 5-foot-10 reviewer found generous knee and foot room behind his preferred driving position.
The R2 has three top tethers plus lower anchors for the two outer seating positions, though those proved difficult to reach. Space was less of an obstacle. A rear-facing car seat had ample clearance even with the front seat positioned generously for its occupant.
Cargo capacity measured 28.7 cubic feet. The 40:20:40-split rear seats fold into a flat floor, allowing families to carry long items through the center or make room for an overnight camping setup.
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More background
The R2 handled a narrow dirt section during Muzio's test. The dual-motor version combined all-wheel drive with 9.8 inches of ground clearance, while its electronics helped keep the vehicle moving when some wheels lost traction.
Comfort was a drawback for the Muzio, who described a busy ride even with the suspension set to soft. On pavement, the Performance trim accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds. He noted that the test vehicle's 21-inch wheels could contribute to that ride quality.
Some everyday controls also drew criticism from Muzio. Passive entry did not always unlock the vehicle quickly, and adjusting the air vents required using a screen.
"I kind of just like being able to grab a vent rather than having to go into a screen and adjust it," he said.
"I love Rivian's design, inside and out, but they've known about the passive entry issues for years and still haven't changed anything," a commenter wrote.
What can be done?
For households considering making their next car an EV, lower fuel costs and reduced routine maintenance are benefits.
The standard R2 has a fixed rear window. The retractable rear window, which can provide access to cargo or ventilation for a parked camping setup, is reserved for the two higher trims.
For road trips, Muzio reported that the R2's NACS charging connection supports a 30-minute charge from 10% to 80%. By comparison, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 takes about 20 minutes for the same charging interval.
"Love that your family gets their own say as passengers," one commenter wrote. "Great review!"
There were a lot of users high on the R2.
"If you want an EV in this price and size category that looks and feels like an SUV, this has no competition," one person asserted.
Where can I learn more?
Families considering the R2 may also want to know how it handles road trips and camping and how its environmental impact compares with the R1.
• A New Jersey family compared Chevy's Equinox and Rivian's R2 on a 500-mile Vermont trip.
• Rivian's R2 halves lifetime carbon pollution versus the R1, meeting its 2030 goal early.
• Rivian drivers say running AC all night while camping uses 8-10% battery.
• Rivian posted a record delivery quarter as the R2 helped push deliveries up 45%.
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