- Rivian’s new entry-level electric SUV has a lot going for it.
- The R2 is taller than a Model Y, but surprisingly, it’s also shorter.
- Driving the R2 Performance are dual electric motors with 656 hp.
In a market where electric SUVs are starting to blur into one another, standing out is no longer optional. The Rivian R2 is a pivotal model for the brand, bringing its EV technology into a smaller, more affordable package. If Rivian wants to grow into a true volume manufacturer and challenge legacy players, the R2 needs to land with buyers.
Its biggest hurdle is persuading shoppers to choose it over the Model Y, still America’s best-selling EV by a wide margin that even Tesla’s own Model 3 does not approach, let alone anything else. As these side-by-side photos of an R2 and a Model Y show, the pair have similar footprints but look absolutely nothing alike.
Read: Rivian R2 And Jeep Recon Solve The Same Problem, But Which One Solves It For You?
These photos, captured by Reddit user SciencesNotStudies at Rivian’s headquarters, show both vehicles charging next to each other. Whereas Tesla opted for a sleek profile in the Model Y, making it look like a bloated Model 3 rather than a traditional SUV, the Rivian R2 is very different. It’s boxier, stands taller, and is much more upright, looking just like the R1, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
Interestingly, the Model Y is slightly longer than the R2, measuring 188.6 inches (4,790 mm) compared to the Rivian’s 185.9 inches (4,722 mm). The R2 is also slightly narrower at 75 inches (1,904 mm), versus 75.6 inches (1,920 mm) for the Tesla.
The biggest gap though appears in height, with the R2 at 115.6 inches (2,935 mm) and the Model Y at 113.8 inches (2,890 mm). The Rivian’s wheelbase is also 1.8 inches longer, at 115.6 inches (2,935 mm) compared to 113.8 inches (2,890 mm).
The ground clearance also differs dramatically between the pair. Like the R1, the R2 has been designed to be right at home off-roading, offering 9.6 inches (245 mm) of clearance compared to the Model Y’s 6.0 inches (152 mm).
What About Performance?
The first version of the R2 to be sold, the Performance Launch Edition, rocks a pair of electric motors delivering 656 hp and an 88.7 kWh battery pack, giving it slightly more power than the Model Y Performance with 618 hp and better range, 328 miles (528 km) compared to 306 miles (492 km). However, as the Tesla weighs less, it hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.3 seconds compared to the R2’s 3.6 seconds.
Where The Numbers Stop Favoring Rivian
And then there’s pricing, which is not doing Rivian many favors on paper. The R2 Performance Launch Edition starts at $57,990, essentially mirroring the $57,490 Model Y Performance. However, step down to the mid-tier R2 Premium with 450 hp and all-wheel drive, and you’re still looking at $53,990, a noticeable jump over Tesla’s Model Y Premium AWD at $48,990.
Also: Rivian R2 Starts At $57,990, But Cheaper Versions Are Still Coming
Rivian has confirmed a base rear-wheel-drive R2 at $45,000, though that version will not arrive until 2027, which is a long wait. Tesla, meanwhile, already covers that ground with two RWD options, starting at $39,990 for the standard version and $44,990 for the Premium.
Although the R2 is Rivian’s answer to the Tesla Model Y, matching its sales volume will be a tall order. Like the R1, it appears to lean toward a more niche appeal and could end up competing more closely with models like the Jeep Recon.
Lead image Reddit / SciencesNotStudies
