The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 6 to July 12, 2026
Good week. From July 6 through July 12, we got a real R2 fast-charging test, invite windows started moving up, and Launch…
2026.24.40
R2 software 2026.24 brings the R2 several features R1 owners have taken for granted. Pet Comfort, Gear Guard, Launch Mode, garage door pairing, and in-vehicle WiFi hotspot all land in this build, along with a long list of fixes across charging, vehicle access, and infotainment.
Rivian Grew in Q2 While the EV Market Fell Over 20%
The overall EV market fell more than 20% year over year in Q2. Rivian went the other way, up 7.6%, with early R2 deliveries already in the mix. Growing while the rest of the market shrank, just as the R2 begins its ramp, says more than the raw number does.
R2 Performance Hits 3.45 Seconds, Faster Than Rivian’s Own 0 to 60
Wassym teased Launch Mode coming to the R2 Performance, and the clip shows a 0 to 60 of 3.45 seconds, quicker than Rivian's own stated 3.6.
Rivian R2 Invite Windows Are Moving Up for Reservation Holders
Some R2 reservation holders are reporting their invitation windows suddenly shrinking, with one owner watching a four to eight week estimate drop to one to two weeks. It does not mean the truck shows up that fast, but it does move the whole timeline forward, and it hints that Rivian is feeling good about the ramp.
R1T Wins 2026 Edmunds Top Rated Electric Truck for Second Year
The R1T just took the Edmunds Top Rated Electric Truck award for 2026, its second win in a row, with a 7.9 rating and 390 miles in real-world range testing.
Rivian R1T With LiDAR Spotted Testing in Italy
A Rivian R1T rigged with LiDAR and autonomy sensors was spotted this morning on the streets of Bolzano, Italy. It is almost certainly a mapping and ground truth vehicle laying groundwork for the R2 in Europe, not a sign the R1T is heading overseas.
R2 Fast Charging Test Beats Rivian’s Own 29 Minute Claim
Tom Moloughney of State of Charge ran the first independent 10 to 80 percent charging test on a Rivian R2 and it finished in 26.9 minutes, two minutes ahead of Rivian's official 29 minute estimate. Peak power hit 226 kW, and there is a warning for owners planning to fast charge through an adapter.
The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, June 29 to July 5, 2026
Rivian posts Q2 2026 deliveries and lays out H2 guidance around the R2 ramp, reservation pages start showing invite windows, and a used R2 Performance already hits the resale market over sticker. Plus Pet Mode, LiDAR in the wild, and Rivian Care reaching 31 states.
First Used Rivian R2 Is Already For Sale At A 19k Premium
The first used Rivian R2 is already up for sale, a Performance Launch Package on Cars.com asking 79,900 dollars. That is over 19,000 above new, and it probably will not be the last one to move at a premium while delivery timelines stay tight.