R2 vs Model Y 70-MPH Highway Range Test (by Out of Spec)

[TheKid55]

BMW iX3 reports from Europe show similar drops vs stated range though still good. Lots of data points from Chris' video in Bavaria. He's posted in a BMW forum that his urban driving is pretty exceptionally good for range.

That's still 324 miles of range at 81 mph for a US spec iX3 with 112kWh of battery capacity. 75% of the EPA rated range at that speed is pretty good.

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[Holler Wanderer]

I think you just described the answer to your own question.

"they came out with the 330 mile range"

Because, Rivian said 330 mile range. The point of the company communicating a metric is for people to believe, not derive.

That's fair. I guess I'm just used to EVs not meeting their advertised range on the highway (I guess except the MY apparently)

 

[Dennisis]

Yes, it absolutely would.

I've been driving EVs long enough now (only about 6 years) to know that as long as the range is enough for me to drive about 2-3 hours on the highway, it's plenty. I'm not worried in the slightest about the R2s range - I'm not ever going to drive 300+ miles without stopping.

High advertised range numbers are for people who are new to EVs and are worried they'll have range anxiety and/or for edge cases where people do a lot of road trips in one of the few charging deserts that still remain.

250 miles of actual highway range is perfectly acceptable to me and is about what the rated range is of my current R1S standard.

I’ve owned teslas for 8 years and road trip frequently, have only gone 250 miles once.

 

[Rivian Roamer]

That's fair. I guess I'm just used to EVs not meeting their advertised range on the highway (I guess except the MY apparently)

It comes down to two things.

1. EPA allowing non-ideal testing cycles
2. Rivian choosing the more favorable testing cycle

Rivian chose one that made their range look better. Likely so they could compete with Modle Y in marking. At the cost of actual real-world range. I don't think it's on the buyer to have to do their due-diligence to derive real-world range.

I'm disappointed in this move by Rivian. I think most enthusiasts know a brick moving through the air won't be efficient. But, for the more price-conscious buyer like an R2 buyer. They may not know.

 

[SactownD]

Yeah no worries. I’m a 72 degrees auto guy myself. Nothing wrong with the test just pointing out the conditions for the test.

The AC power use would be higher, but air density is also lower at that temperature so some efficiency would be gained in that respect.

 

[DuoRivian]

Here's the thing: all EVs released in 2026 are eggs. R2 is the only brick box. I want brick box.

Trailseeker and bZ Woodland are wagons and not eggs.

 

[Mos Eisley]

That's still 324 miles of range at 81 mph for a US spec iX3 with 112kWh of battery capacity. 75% of the EPA rated range at that speed is pretty good.

iX3 bested the Model Y Long Range here in terms of travel time and range per charge but it all came down to larger battery as the Model Y's "efficiency" was still significantly higher. And Tesla being cheaper given preferential charging rates for Tesla's.

 

[rogunenode]

Trailseeker and bZ Woodland are wagons and not eggs.

True. Decent price, wide dealer network, ground clearance. Doesn't look to be a road tripper, but it could fit some people's requirements.

I wouldn't call the IX3 or EX60 eggs either.

 

[Bullwinkle]

What's the SOC most are generally using on a road trip? If you're not going to go above 80% because of charge speeds then how low are people dropping to?

I live in Idaho, my sister is west of Portland Oregon and my wife cousin is in the Salt Lake City area. There are some really dead zones on those drives. I've looked and played with ABRP to see what routes offer charging options but I'll have to look more closely at that the estimated charge and range it's been calculating.

I go down to 10 to 15%. Remember that you can usually start the day at 100%.

 

[Megaman0025]

Elevation, temperature, HVAC, tire PSI, etc... so many variables which is why I stated that in my article. You could run this test all over again in 10 degree lower temp and get a different result. The question is how do we get closer to the EPA range because it's so off.

But dude, it's not "so off". The rated range is not performed at 70 MPH and you and Kyle both know this! The EPA test cycle is a mix of driving conditions and averages - your criticism of the range being "off" is entirely expected and you know how this works. The EPA does need to do a better job of making this easier to understand for consumers, such as doing HWY vs city range.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Trailseeker and bZ Woodland are wagons and not eggs.

Ok, so an elongated egg. Not a brick box.

 

[Apprunner]

But dude, it's not "so off". The rated range is not performed at 70 MPH and you and Kyle both know this! The EPA test cycle is a mix of driving conditions and averages - your criticism of the range being "off" is entirely expected and you know how this works. The EPA does need to do a better job of making this easier to understand for consumers, such as doing HWY vs city range.

They did test this at multiple speeds and simulated city driving and couldn't get to EPA numbers. It was very easy to get to and exceed the EPA numbers with the Model Y at every speed and situation. It is what it is...

 

[DaveA]

That particular R2 was configured with the 20s. (They swapped in 21s for testing). If that particular vehicle is part of Rivianroamer's stats, it's probably misidentified as having the 20s it was factory configured with. That might affect the current stats.

Wonder if they updated the tire configuration in the settings before the test was done.

 

[tivoboy]

They did. In their other video. R2 was just as inefficient at all speeds. It is what it is.

Well technically no.. it was ~ 18% less efficient in the simulated “city” driving and ~26% less efficient in the I think 70mph drive? Technically it is 30% LESS inefficient in the slower city driving than the highway speed test..

but we’re splitting hairs somewhat.. I actually think when one real world measures the actual CITY type of driving it’s going to be quite a bit better than this simulation was, there is much more regen in a city experience than it would appear they had during their simulation.

And same for actual highway driving overall experience.. but no, it’s never going to be a 3.5 mile/kw highway driver, but getting close to 3 is probably certainly doable.

When I did my granted limited test drive, from town to highway (as fast as I could muster) to the highway to speed (it tapped out at 85) and testing acceleration and 50-70, and 30-50, and then back to the retail center 25 min later, I recall the reset trip reported usage was >3 and the on highway trip portion - granted only 6 miles, with an offramp and on-ramp twice was ~ 3

 

[Bullwinkle]

I think it will affect sales, I would guess 15-20%--Just licking my finger and holding it in the breeze.

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