R2 rear suspension has "incredible ride quality and handling" says RJ Scaring with preview photos

[narmstrong79]

I still feel like I stole my R1S, it’s sticker was 79k and paid 88.7k out the door.

I’m thinking the R2 will be ~20k less than that but personally I do not think it is fair to compare the R2 price in 2026 to an R1 price originally set in 2021 that Rivian honored for reservation holders.

At 70k out the door the R2 would still be less than I paid for my Model S in 2016.

I definitely feel like I got so much car for this amount of money, which is why i finally pulled the trigger rather than waiting for R2.

Depending on what R2 offers at the top end dual motor, will be the driving force behind if i move on or not. I feel like, I will keep the R1 for many years

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[SANZC02]

I definitely feel like I got so much car for this amount of money, which is why i finally pulled the trigger rather than waiting for R2.

Depending on what R2 offers at the top end dual motor, will be the driving force behind if i move on or not. I feel like, I will keep the R1 for many years

I did the same thing back in 2016, had a reservation for a Model 3, Tesla offered a great deal on the Model S, I bought the Model S and cancelled the Model 3 reservation.

Still have the Model S today, never once regretted the decision.

 

[DuoRivian]

I still feel like I stole my R1S, it’s sticker was 79k and paid 88.7k out the door.

I’m thinking the R2 will be ~20k less than that but personally I do not think it is fair to compare the R2 price in 2026 to an R1 price originally set in 2021 that Rivian honored for reservation holders.

At 70k out the door the R2 would still be less than I paid for my Model S in 2016.

$65-70k out the door for a fully loaded tri motor variant is ok. But base price is $45k (plus TTT) and dual motor needs to be around $50k as other competitors are in this space at that price with AWD and reasonable performance.

 

[narmstrong79]

I did the same thing back in 2016, had a reservation for a Model 3, Tesla offered a great deal on the Model S, I bought the Model S and cancelled the Model 3 reservation.

Still have the Model S today, never once regretted the decision.

Yeah your S story seems very much where I think my path with the R1S is going.

 

[SANZC02]

$65-70k out the door for a fully loaded tri motor variant is ok. But base price is $45k (plus TTT) and dual motor needs to be around $50k as other competitors are in this space at that price with AWD and reasonable performance.

I always assume initial release is going to be top end as that is where the highest margins are, although Rivian has not done that historically (read as G2 quad still MIA). They could surprise me again and release a mid tier variant, either way I should be covered.

 

[narmstrong79]

$65-70k out the door for a fully loaded tri motor variant is ok. But base price is $45k (plus TTT) and dual motor needs to be around $50k as other competitors are in this space at that price with AWD and reasonable performance.

I don’t see a true $45K version (or the equivalent of $45K in 2023/24 dollars when the R2 was launched vs. what that means in 2027/28 when it's actually delivered) realistically making it to market—unless they can justify factory utilization with high-volume dual-motor variants.

Performance is less important than range, but to reach the mass market, they’ll need an AWD version with close to 300 miles of range priced under $55K. Given their branding and positioning, they don’t necessarily need to match the Model Y’s price, but they do need to be in the same ballpark—especially with competitors like the Mach-E, Ioniq, and GM offerings already well under $50K.

It’s going to be a very competitive market by the time they roll these out in volume

 

[DuoRivian]

I don’t see a true $45K version (or the equivalent of $45K in 2023/24 dollars when the R2 was launched vs. what that means in 2027/28 when it's actually delivered) realistically making it to market—unless they can justify factory utilization with high-volume dual-motor variants.

Performance is less important than range, but to reach the mass market, they’ll need an AWD version with close to 300 miles of range priced under $55K. Given their branding and positioning, they don’t necessarily need to match the Model Y’s price, but they do need to be in the same ballpark—especially with competitors like the Mach-E, Ioniq, and GM offerings already well under $50K.

It’s going to be a very competitive market by the time they roll these out in volume

They can do a RWD model, which I agree will be last to market for around $45k when competitors have dual motor 375hp models out with reasonable spec.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I always assume initial release is going to be top end as that is where the highest margins are, although Rivian has not done that historically (read as G2 quad still MIA). They could surprise me again and release a mid tier variant, either way I should be covered.

High trim have higher margins. The entire auto industry advertise low trim starting price, but produce far more high trim examples (because that's where most number of orders are placed). Rivian did start with top trim, G1 Quad first then DM. G2 Quad likely because of that copper winding shortage and/or R2 launch having greater priority. Plus, if you look at price difference between G1 Quad and G2 Quad, the latter is priced up enough where it would never be a volume seller. While G2 Quad order holders are impatient, their numbers are very small. And volume is what Rivian is now focused on—and Wall St. is focused on it too—for sake of profitability/sustainability. It needs volume and profits to build out service, RAN and GA. A few G2 Quads is not going to generate enough funds to do all that.

 

[CrazyOne]

This! The R1T suspension is absolutely incredible! Anyone saying otherwise is a fool.
I had a nice drive involving Sport/Low over a twisty mountain road, then AP/mid on the highway, then switched to Rally to eat up a rough dirt road - it's magical.

AP low drives like a sedan without being bouncy. It's fantastic.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

A bit unrelated, but was watching Out of Spec's Rivian Factory Tour from them and during the tour, the VP of Manufacturing (who was acting as their tour guide) said the factory upgrade for the R2 section had to be completed by Q4. Hopefully that means earlier release date for the R2 Q1 R2 deliveries rather than Q2. Yeah, its a false hope and I'm reaching, but I need something nice today.

Briefly mentioned at 57:12 in the video.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

A bit unrelated, but was watching Out of Spec's Rivian Factory Tour from them and during the tour, the VP of Manufacturing (who was acting as their tour guide) said the factory upgrade for the R2 section had to be completed by Q4. Hopefully that means earlier release date for the R2 Q1 R2 deliveries rather than Q2. Yeah, its a false hope and I'm reaching, but I need something nice today.

Briefly mentioned at 57:12 in the video.

I'm more impressed that you watched the entire OOS video.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

I'm more impressed that you watched the entire OOS video.

For OOS I usually have them on as background noise or skip around, but I was keeping an ear out for R2 mentions.

 

[ozziegt]

All I can think of is how much that is going to cost to replace when one of those bushing wears out. Again, Rivian thinking about immediate cost savings and not long term maintenance or durability.

 

[DaveA]

All I can think of is how much that is going to cost to replace when one of those bushing wears out. Again, Rivian thinking about immediate cost savings and not long term maintenance or durability.

I think its referred to as the "Starfish", which is ironic cuz that's where the cost is gonna hit ya for the repair if something happened.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Not sure I trust him. They also touted the R1 suspension as fantastic, and we all know the truth now.

What truth is that exactly? From my viewpoint, the R1 suspension is the most technologically advanced and high-performing of any vehicle I've ever owned. A button press can transform the feel and use of my R1 from Rubicon trail-capable to a torque monster with a sporty suspension that performs much better than an almost 8,000-pound vehicle should.

There is nothing on the market that comes close to the versatility of the R1 suspension.

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