The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, May 25 to May 31, 2026

Back at it. Pretty stacked week with the R2 ordering date locked in, pricing for Performance Launch Edition out in the wild, and a range comparison that’s gonna age well. Lots of smaller stuff too.

R2 ordering opens June 9th, Performance Launch Edition priced at $57,990. Full details in Rivian R2 Ordering Opens June 9th With Performance Launch Edition at $57,990.

The Performance EPA range came in higher than the Tesla Model Y Performance, which is a story by itself. Numbers and context in R2 Performance EPA Range Beats the Tesla Model Y Performance.

If you’re stuck on whether to buy or lease the Launch Edition with ordering days away, I put together a full breakdown. Read in Should You Buy or Lease the Rivian R2 Launch Edition.

Forest Edge is back for R1 owners as a limited time interior option. More in Forest Edge Interior Returns for Rivian R1, Limited Time.

A new 2026.15.30 hotfix is on the way. Quick look at what’s in it here.

Wassym went on Decoder this week and talked through the VW deal and RV Tech in more detail than we’ve heard before. Worth a listen, breakdown in Rivian Software Chief Wassym Bensaid Talks VW Deal and RV Tech on Decoder.

Wrote an editorial this week arguing Rivian’s AI push is picking a fight with its own mission. Got some pushback but I stand by it. Full piece in Rivian’s AI Push Is Picking a Fight With Its Own Mission.

Also took a stab at where the next-gen R1 could land in 2027 based on what we know so far. Thoughts in What the Next Generation Rivian R1 Could Bring in 2027.

A couple of owner-tool pieces too. The new $130 federal EV fee got a lot of confused takes around the web so I broke it down and compared it to what gas drivers pay. Read in The $130 Federal EV Fee Explained and How It Compares to Gas Tax.

And the 2026 trade-in sales tax by state guide is up. Useful one to bookmark if you’re trading in toward an R2. Here.

Big week ahead with ordering opening Monday. Catch you on the next Sunday Drive.