I have had my R2 Performance Launch Edition for over a month now and just crossed 5,000 miles, so this is the full honest ownership update, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also put out a call on social for questions and answered all of them at the end, so the back half of this video is a long Q&A covering efficiency, build quality, the AC, charging, hardware, and software.
The short version is that I would buy it again without hesitation. It is fun to drive in a way that still surprises me, the second row space is genuinely magic, the seats are more comfortable than my R1S, and it charges well enough that a 15 or 20 minute stop is all I need. But it has not been flawless. The AC compressor failed on me in South Florida, there is a driver door rattle that service could not fix, and a creak from the passenger wheel well that only shows up when it rains. My biggest letdown is the cheap hard plastics in the lower parts of the interior, which are already scratching.
In the Q&A I get into my real efficiency numbers on the 20 inch all terrains versus the 21 inch all seasons, whether I would change my configuration, the haptic steering wheel controls that I have a love hate relationship with, whether people actually recognize the R2 on the road, and how confident I am that Rivian delivers point to point by the end of the year. I also cover what I miss about the R1T and why the aftermarket for this car is going to be big.
If I missed your question, drop it in the comments and I will answer it there.
At around 24 minutes you mention if you were buying now(September )you might suggest waiting for lidar/rap1 late 2026/early 2027. Do you have info on the actual release or the manufacturing switch? My latest understanding was that testing would happened late 2026 and early 2027. Actual vehicle deliveries with liday would not occur until at least the end of the first quarter 2027 for general buyers
Thanks Jose, another piece of awesome content!
For the user that asked about the the Gen2 Telsa mobile charger – no it does not work. Lectron makes a 40amp mobile charger. I haven’t tried it yet but ordered one.
My Gen3 wall charger works flawlessly with my R2.
thanks Jose – great video.
i am about to get my order invite and was ready to order my R2 with 20 in wheels, mainly based on your prior post on the limited stock of 21 in tires. i was surprised that you mentioned that you would get the 21 in wheels next time. I do mostly city/highway driving (in Atlanta where the roads are not great) and camping once in a while so the attractiveness of the 20 in is not to get gouge when i need to replace my tires.
can you elaborate more on the choice 20 vs 21 in wheels?
thanks
I can not use infotainment center unless I drive to town. It has a message” no internet service ” and remains absolutely quiet. Guessing it was designed as a city car and not fir Adventure country or rural America. That would be fine if I could add a FM terrestrial tuner. BUT no tuner will pair nor go through USB. It’s like by design they wanted only city folk to buy these.
How do you feel about Rivian as a company? They are still losing money on their vehicles. A software defined vehicle only works if there is a company to support it. One of the biggest reasons not to buy a Rivian is the uncertainty of Rivian itself. What would you say to someone new to this ecosystem and on the fence to jump in?
Don’t confuse Rivian with Gravity. (And even Gravity has at least a two year grace before collapse if they do)
Rivian as a company supplies Amazon with all their EV trucks. So, Jeff Bezos could buy the company if they really wanted. I would not worry about Rivian’s solvancy for at least 5 years.
The partnerships they have along with their software is what makes me believe in them long term.
Agreed. Lucid is a different story.
When did you publish the “dishonest review?”
Why are you asking this? I’ve seen some of his YouTube vids. He seems sincere.
Some of his videos are cross referenced with “Out Of Spec” videos.