Rivian R2 Ride Quality and Roomy Interior Earns Praise From Car and Driver

Early driving impressions of Rivian’s upcoming R2 electric SUV suggest the vehicle is designed to balance comfort, everyday practicality, and performance. A recent preview highlighted the R2’s refined ride quality, spacious interior, and strong acceleration, positioning it as a smaller but still capable counterpart to Rivian’s larger R1 models.

The R2 is expected to become a central product for Rivian as the automaker moves toward higher-volume EV production.

Early drive impressions highlight refined ride and balanced handling

According to Car and Driver, a dual-motor R2 prototype delivered a refined ride, confident handling, and quick acceleration during early testing.

The R2 will offer three electric powertrain configurations. The base single-motor rear-wheel-drive version produces 350 horsepower, while a dual-motor setup with 450 horsepower is available in mid-level trims. The top Performance version produces 656 horsepower with all-wheel drive, according to Car and Driver.

Rivian estimates the Performance variant will accelerate from 0–60 mph in about 3.6 seconds, placing it between the Tesla Model Y Premium AWD (3.9 seconds) and the Model Y Performance (3.3 seconds).

While the R2 maintains Rivian’s adventure-focused identity, it is not expected to match the extreme off-road capability of the larger R1S, as it lacks locking differentials and some of the more advanced terrain hardware.

Spacious cabin and cargo capacity emphasize everyday comfort

Inside, the R2 features a two-row cabin with seating for five and a design similar to Rivian’s larger R1 models. The interior includes multiple storage compartments, including additional cubbies and a second glovebox.

Rear-seat passengers are expected to benefit from generous space, with two adults able to sit comfortably in the second row. An available glass roof extending over the rear seats helps create a more open and airy feel in the cabin.

Cargo capacity is also a key focus. The R2 offers 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The vehicle’s dashboard centers around a 15.6-inch infotainment display, which serves as the primary interface for most vehicle controls, including drive modes and adjustments for mirrors and steering wheel position. The system can be operated via touchscreen or by using scroll wheels on the steering wheel.

Additional tech features expected on the R2 include Amazon Alexa voice assistant, wireless phone charging, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available 13-speaker audio system on higher trims.

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