The Sunday Drive – Rivian R2 First Drive, Ordering Opens, and RivianOS 2.0

Huge week. From June 8 through June 14 we got the R2 First Drive event, ordering opening, the first real look at RivianOS 2.0, the autonomy roadmap filling in, and a bunch more. I was out in Park City for the drive itself, so a lot of this is firsthand. Buckle up.

The big one, my full R2 first drive on road and off road. This is the piece to read if you only read one. Rivian R2 First Drive, On Road and Off Road.

The entry R2 Standard now starts at $44,990 and arrives summer 2027. Details in The Entry R2 Standard Now Starts at $44,990, Arrives Summer 2027.

R2 Performance leases for Model Y money, which is wild when you actually run the numbers. Full breakdown in R2 Performance Leases for Model Y Money, Full Breakdown.

Got my first real look at RivianOS 2.0 and it is fast. Like noticeably fast. Why that is in RivianOS 2.0 First Look and Why It Feels So Fast.

Universal Hands-Free 2.0 is coming in Q3 with stop light response, auto park, and on-ramp to off-ramp. More in Universal Hands-Free 2.0 Arrives in Q3 With Stop Light Response, Auto Park, and On-Ramp to Off-Ramp.

Dug into what R2 autonomy actually looks like today and where it is going. Read in What R2 Autonomy Looks Like Today and Where It Is Headed.

RJ confirmed Point-to-Point this year with eyes-off coming next. Rivian Point-to-Point This Year, Eyes Off Next, Says RJ Scaringe.

He also said R3X is a couple years out. More in Rivian R3X Is a Couple Years Away, RJ Scaringe Says.

The R2 Gear Shop accessories and pricing went up. Full list in Rivian R2 Gear Shop Accessories and Pricing.

Now the stuff worth knowing before you order. R2 launch will be missing several R1 software features, so go in eyes open. R2 Launch Will Be Missing Several R1 Software Features.

The R2 warranty got explained and compared against R1. Read in Rivian R2 Warranty Coverage Explained and How It Compares to R1.

If you are getting an R2, plan on carrying charging adapters. Quick but useful one in If You Are Getting a Rivian R2, Plan on Carrying Charging Adapters.

The R2 also drops FM radio in favor of iHeartRadio, which is going to bug some people. The Rivian R2 Drops FM Radio for iHeartRadio.

And the 2026.20 software update is out, which is the version R2 launches to the public with. Rundown here.

What a week. The Park City stuff was a great first taste, but the coverage I am really looking forward to is the daily-driver kind, once my own R2 lands. A lot more coming then. Catch you on the next Sunday Drive.