R2 Demo Drive Scheduling is LIVE! Anyone book test drive yet?

[Dark-Fx]

The've got about 6 months to be sure this doesn't happen again. If it's not an issue, I'm 100% sold on R2. If it is an issue, I'll go back to driving a reliable fun Model 3 Performance. I'm prepping for visit 3 to my service center (2.5 hours away) on my Cybertruck, and I don't want to deal with that stuff anymore.

Should probably just stick with your cybertruck

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[NinjaWrap]

Should probably just stick with your cybertruck

It’s actually a freaking amazing vehicle, tainted by politics. Anyone who says it sucks hasn’t driven one or is blinded by hate. I’m tired of middle fingers, I’ve had my fun with it and gotten the big projects I needed a truck for out of the way. Also it’s expensive and right now the resale and trade in value is very high for being 18 months old!

 

[Guuma]

I’m from Columbus. Our closest demo center is Fishers, Indiana. They’ve shortened the R2 demo times to only 15 minutes. Not worth the 5+ hour roundtrip drive, unless there’s some cool stuff to do in Fishers.

Doesn’t make sense that Central Ohio doesn’t have a demo center.

3hr drive for a 15 minute demo ride doesn't sound great. Hopefully something closer opens up.

 

[Smoky mountain spark]

I got to demo a white R2 in Alpharetta GA this afternoon and thought I’d add my 2 cents as a 6 year Tesla model 3 owner and a day 2 R2 reservation holder.

Pros:

Great size overall with amazing room for all pax and baggage (I’m 6’1” and had capacious room sitting behind my preferred seating position).

Visibility is great from all seats and especially driving

Tried sport and “normal” modes and the car handles great with no rattles or squeaks and absorbed bumps in a reserved manner even in sport mode with the 21” wheels

Like a lot about the UI as a Tesla owner

Front seats very comfortable and as mentioned the ventilated seats really work and are noticeable (my BMW X7’s is anemic). The front feels near luxury, but the back seat feels closer to Kia level.

Cons
Realized the rear seat headrest are NOT adjustable which unfortunately is a deal breaker for me - I’m too tall and the top of the headrest sits at middle of my neck (I have a long torso for my height). This could be a safety issue in an accident

The Audio was disappointing even with Apple Audio playing and the EQ being adjusted to my preference (the audio in my model 3 slays it).

Wife and I don’t like the type of buttons used for the frunk and external rear window. You have to push it quite firmly with no haptic or audible feedback that you’ve done it right which you may get used to, but feels like a miss

it’s a great vehicle so I’m disappointed it may not be right for our needs upon close inspection.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Had my test drive in Glen Burnie. They just received their R2 yesterday, so the employees are still getting used to it. I did run into some glitches. When we got into the car, the center screen was black and the driver display was very dim you could barely read it. The employee didn't know how to reboot it and had to ask (which is fine. They had the car for less than 24 hours). He didnt give the option to allow you to drive it by yourself like the R1. They had 2 R2s but only one was available to drive, and the second one they were told was off limits for now and cant let anyone in to see it so a guy who asked to see the R2 interior was turned away unfortunately.

The second glitch we ran into was with UHF. While testing on the highway, the sensors in the front was convinced there was a car in front of us riding the middle lan and had cars just frozen facing different directions. Because of that, UHF would not activate since it believed it was nearly on top of another car. Not sure what was up with that. The sales person said he was going to do a hard reset.

Honestly, I expect bugs so didn't sour my experience at all. No one else has run into these problems so it may be user error and something was properly set up or something.

I did ask about the DMV area and deliveries and he did say that none of the areas are currently doing deliveries. He did however say they are making a delivery hub in capital heights. That in addition to the brand new sterling location and another space being built in downtown DC, it seems Rivian is trying to expand in this area which makes me happy.

 

[KineticKev]

Surprised it was available; I was able to book a Demo Drive in Gaithersburg MD today.

They had a Glacier White R2. Seeing it in person and driving it just confirmed my awaited purchase.

It drove great. Very quiet unless you push the pedal down then you hear the wonderful motors in action. Power felt instant and responsive throughout even at higher speeds.

I loved the overall size of it, just felt perfect for what I want. As others have said you feel the air really blowing well through the cooled seats. Frunk and rear window buttons worked perfectly for me. Rear seats are very roomy. All seats felt very comfortable. I don't know why this surprised me but In comparison to the size of the vehicle, the center screen appeared perfectly sized and crisp. The camera view looked so clear. The software felt great and buttery smooth.

I used the halo wheels and found them to be convenient. When pressing side to side or from the rear I kind of intentionally repositioned my hand to press firmly and I didn't really have any accidental touches. There is a slight delay from when you raise or lower the volume in large increments but wasn't problematic to me.

I was worried about the audio based on people's reported R1's experiences but I was pleasantly surprised. I think it's a fairly good system (not amazing yet not a problem). I unfortunately don't have much to compare it to but I have a old jeep with a Boston acoustics system that is mediocre to me and an Infiniti G35x with Bose Premium system (which I personally have loved). The bass in the R2 is a little different which I think is due to placement of the subwoofer. I would agree with the person that said the sound gets a little muddled around the 20 mark (out of 30). I'm definitely no audiophile but I do listen to my music loudly and that was not really an issue.

The wireless charger worked perfectly with my Android Magsafe/Qi2 yet I don't know how fast my phone was charging.

I'm actually going to another location tomorrow (Tyson Corner, VA) me and the lady are going together

 

[dduffey]

Took my wife for a demo drive, I didn't drive. Got a good 20 minutes and they were efficient at getting folks in and out. Nothing new to add that hasn't been said or covered before.

Fit and finish were good, build quality looked/felt good. Riding passenger felt comfy and quiet from road noise and NVH, going to be a better family hauler than either our R1T or MY. Great visibility except for longer hood than MY. Much easier to navigate than R1. AC wind/cabin fan was loud but it was very hot and humid today.

Austin had white, launch green, and CC. The CC looked great in person, darker than online pictures.

She said it feels like a truck in a good way, but she drives a MY and the only truck she has driven is my R1T... So I take that as it drives like a Rivian and not a Tesla.

She is sold, has picked out the design, and now we wait. Happy wife happy life.

 

[Rade]

Test drives are not yet available out of the Canton MA SC, but I signed up for one.

Yes! I would consider an R2S as a replacement for my R1T, perhaps in a year or so down the line when other options and models are open for selection.

 

[Friscorays]

......Cons
Realized the rear seat headrest are NOT adjustable which unfortunately is a deal breaker for me - I’m too tall and the top of the headrest sits at middle of my neck (I have a long torso for my height). This could be a safety issue in an accident......

How often do you, as an adult, find yourself in the rear seat of a vehicle that you own?

 

[Tony S]

How often do you, as an adult, find yourself in the rear seat of a vehicle that you own?

I usually yank the back seats headrests the first day I get the car (hardly ever have people there). This way I get a clearer view of the back window.
P.S. it’s legal here; in the state of Florida nobody cares if you live or die.

 

[Smoky mountain spark]

How often do you, as an adult, find yourself in the rear seat of a vehicle that you own?

Thats not the point. Anyone over 6’ tall can’t ride comfortably in the back seat. My wife who is only 5’6” noticed the way they press forward as well and found them uncomfortable too.

The ones in my model 3 are of course all not adjustable either (integrated with the rest of the one piece seat), but they don’t protrude forward to force your neck into weird positions).

 

[Mos Eisley]

Thats not the point. Anyone over 6’ tall can’t ride comfortably in the back seat.

Not true - I rode in the back while the wife drove and they didn't bother me (6'2").

 

[Friscorays]

Thats not the point. Anyone over 6’ tall can’t ride comfortably in the back seat. My wife who is only 5’6” noticed the way they press forward as well and found them uncomfortable too.....

This guy is six foot three inches. Safety function of a headrest is to prevent c-spine hyperextension. The rear headrest as positioned accomplishes that for him.

 

[Smoky mountain spark]

Ok cool. I’m glad it works for others, but not for us. Left an honest review of OUR experience. I wanted to love it, so nobody is more disappointed than me.

 

[Friscorays]

Gentleman who is six foot four inches states "The second row comfort here is probably class-leading."

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