The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 20 to July 26, 2026
Rivian halts Half Moon Grey R2 deliveries, sues the federal government over tariff refunds, and puts out a charging adapter warning. Plus R2 battery pack costs, a tire efficiency breakdown,… · Rivian
The Gas SUVs Rivian R2 Is Coming For in 2026
At $45,000 and up, the Rivian R2 is walking into the most competitive segment in the American market and asking gas buyers to switch. The competition is deep. The RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in America. The CR-V Hybrid is the best driver in the class. The Bronco Sport Badlands brings real trail hardware for less money. But none of them make 656 hp, none do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, and none offer 300+ miles of range with zero gas costs. Here’s how every major ICE competitor stacks up against R2 and where Rivian’s pitch actually lands.
Everything Rivian Is Doing at SXSW 2026
Rivian is back as the headline sponsor of SXSW 2026, and this year it’s all about R2. From off-road passenger rides to panels with RJ Scaringe and Kara Swisher, here’s everything happening at the Electric Roadhouse in Austin from March 13 through 18.
Rivian’s R2 Will Be Among the First Vehicles to Launch With Next-Gen eSIM Technology
Rivian’s R2 will be one of the first vehicles in the world to launch with GSMA SGP.32-enabled eSIM technology, partnering with Giesecke+Devrient and AT&T to build a 5G connectivity platform designed to scale globally without hardware changes.
Everything Changes on March 12 for Rivian and the R2
March 12 isn’t just a product reveal. It’s the single most important day in Rivian’s history since the R1T rolled off the line in Normal, Illinois. We already know the broad strokes, but the real questions, like what the Launch Edition will actually cost and how Rivian structures the configurator and options, are still unanswered. Here’s what’s really at stake and why this moment is bigger than just a price drop.
Rivian Officially Launches Adventure Department (RAD) and Showcases Quad R1S at FAT Ice Race
Rivian has officially launched the Rivian Adventure Department, or RAD, its extreme testing and performance engineering team that feeds real world data directly into production vehicles. RAD Tuner, which debuted in December 2025 with update 2025.46 for Gen 2 Quad owners, is one of the clearest examples of that philosophy in action, and now the team is making its public debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana with the new Quad R1S.
Rivian Partners With Mark Rober and CrunchLabs to Explain EV Technology
Rivian has partnered with Mark Rober and CrunchLabs to create fun, educational content that breaks down EV technology, safety, and engineering, starting with a live SXSW session and expanding into videos and events throughout the year.
Rivian Partners With ALLDATA to Expand Repair Access Nationwide
Rivian has partnered with ALLDATA to bring official OEM repair and diagnostic information to independent repair shops nationwide, expanding service access and helping reduce repair delays for owners.
Rivian Partners With EnergyHub to Expand Smart EV Charging Programs
Rivian is partnering with EnergyHub to expand access to utility managed charging programs across North America, allowing owners to save on charging costs while helping stabilize the electric grid through smarter, automated charging.
Rivian Expands Service Network With 150+ Locations Planned
Rivian says its service experience is evolving to be faster, more proactive, and increasingly mobile, with 50+ new Service Centers planned, a major expansion of Mobile Service, and AI powered diagnostics designed to reduce wait times and keep owners out of the service bay altogether.
RivianTrackr Tire Guide Update Adds Reviews, AI Search and New Compare Tools
The RivianTrackr Tire Guide just received its biggest update yet, introducing user reviews, AI powered tire recommendations, improved mobile usability, new comparison tools, and over 190 Rivian compatible tires with R2 readiness built in.