Rivian R2 vs Ford Mach-E

[Great Gatsby]

My wife currently has a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD with the extended range (which bumps it up to 280 miles but in theory its closer to 220 on the highway). It has been solid and overall good to us, but am debating reserving an R2 to take its place. Made a list of pros and cons, but wanted to get some other thoughts and feedback.

Here is what I have so far:

Benefits of R2:

-Larger frunk
-More (accurate) range
-More space
-Better infotainment
-Dog mode
-Faster 0-60
-Powered rear glass
-Built in NACS Port (in theory, faster charging and on correct side)
-More storage
-Higher ride height

Benefits of Mach-E:

-Cheaper price (MSRP)
-Easier to service (more readily available Ford dealers)
-Less reliability concerns (two years of ownership with virtually no issues and Ford experience with building these)
-No extra cost for connectivity (via Carplay)

Obviously would love to make us an all Rivian household (my BMW is the roadtrip car and will likely go with this upgrade as well, but that's another story), but also want to make sure the trade-up makes sense. It's sounding good on paper so far.

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[COdogman]

Ford still doesn't have any type of pet mode in their EVs? WTH?

 

[DJFrerichs]

Just reserve an R2 to get in line as it is only $100 refundable. Make the decision then on moving forward after you test drive an R2 for real comparison. Yor probably looking at very late 2027/early 2028 at best to getting into one depending on reservation # & preferred build specs given how slow they are planning to ramp up early 2026.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Ford still doesn't have any type of pet mode in their EVs? WTH?

They don't seem interested in doing so either, at least last time I asked. According to them, it "doesn't seem to be a thing a lot of people are asking for." They have left software updates as a thing of the past, haven't had any decent one in several months.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Just reserve an R2 to get in line as it is only $100 refundable. Make the decision then on moving forward after you test drive an R2 for real comparison. Yor probably looking at very late 2027/early 2028 at best to getting into one depending on reservation # & preferred build specs given how slow they are planning to ramp up early 2026.

Have we had any hints at how many reservations they've had for it? I can't imagine the backlog taking almost 2 years to clear out.

 

[A_E]

The software difference would be night and day...Rivian will improve/add features over time while Mustang will not. I've yet to drive a Mach E but when comparing the Lyriq to the Rivian it's no comparison, the Lyriq just feels like the UI is all over the place and the screens are tiny/resolution sucks and driving was not as good as either of our Rivians.

 

[JeepEVer]

My wife currently has a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD with the extended range (which bumps it up to 280 miles but in theory its closer to 220 on the highway). It has been solid and overall good to us, but am debating reserving an R2 to take its place. Made a list of pros and cons, but wanted to get some other thoughts and feedback.

Here is what I have so far:

Benefits of R2:

-Larger frunk
-More (accurate) range
-More space
-Better infotainment
-Dog mode
-Faster 0-60
-Powered rear glass
-Built in NACS Port (in theory, faster charging and on correct side)
-More storage

Benefits of Mach-E:

-Cheaper price (MSRP)
-Easier to service (more readily available Ford dealers)
-Less reliability concerns (two years of ownership with virtually no issues and Ford experience with building these)
-No extra cost for connectivity (via Carplay)

Obviously would love to make us an all Rivian household (my BMW is the roadtrip car and will likely go with this upgrade as well, but that's another story), but also want to make sure the trade-up makes sense. It's sounding good on paper so far.

Apples and Oranges ... not the same class of vehicle for a valid comparison! The R2 is an SUV. The Mach E is a crossover.

 

[Great Gatsby]

The software difference would be night and day...Rivian will improve/add features over time while Mustang will not. I've yet to drive a Mach E but when comparing the Lyriq to the Rivian it's no comparison, the Lyriq just feels like the UI is all over the place and the screens are tiny/resolution sucks and driving was not as good as either of our Rivians.

The Lyriq was on my shortlist when we were shopping for our first EVs but the lack of frunk really bothered me, specially for a vehicle of its size. Seeing all that empty space upfront just felt lazy. The Mach-E at least had one. The software is honestly fine, more akin to an ICE car but generally it works and Apple Carplay does a lot of the heavy lifting to make it passable. The Rivian UI, once they can make it smoother, is really top notch and would be nice if they are able to make it more responsive with the R2.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Apples and Oranges ... not the same class of vehicle for a valid comparison! The R2 is an SUV. The Mach E is a crossover.

I see what you are saying but don't fully agree. The R2 will compete with the Model Y (the elephant in the room) which also competes with the likes of the Mach-E, EV6, Ioniq 5 and that whole mess of wagons/hatchbacks/compact SUVs (?).

I certainly will like the higher ride height of the R2, adding that to the pros category.

 

[Rivdog]

If price is a consideration, you’re gonna take a pretty big hit financially. I’m guessing trade in is probably around 25-30k and will probably be reduced further once Ford (and most other companies) drop prices at least a little in response to the $7,500 tax credit going away. That’s what happened in early 2023 when I sold my 2nd Mach E right before the credit was initially expected to expire.

The Mach E is a great car and will probably be worth less than 20k on trade by the time the R2 rolls out. Personally, I think the R2 will be a better vehicle in almost every way except vampire drain, but that’s a tough financial decision to stomach. If the Mach E wasn’t really darn good, it would be a lot easier to justify.

Just throw down the $100 and see what happens 2 years from now.

 

[Rivdog]

I see what you are saying but don't fully agree. The R2 will compete with the Model Y (the elephant in the room) which also competes with the likes of the Mach-E, EV6, Ioniq 5 and that whole mess of wagons/hatchbacks/compact SUVs (?).

I certainly will like the higher ride height of the R2, adding that to the pros category.

I’m not convinced the R2 and Mach E/Model Y are actually that comparable. I did plenty of car camping in my Mach E’s, but the R2 will be on another level. Nearly double the ground clearance (the Mach E has less than an actual v8 gas mustang) and waaaaaay more usable room inside the vehicle. It has power outlets, accessory ports, and is designed for roof top tents. The Mach E is not, nor are the other comparable vehicles. For someone who wants a city vehicle, sure, they’re closer in comparison. If you have any desire to take it to the woods, the R2 should be a far superior option.

Ooooor you could just get an R1 now…

 

[Great Gatsby]

I’m not convinced the R2 and Mach E/Model Y are actually that comparable. I did plenty of car camping in my Mach E’s, but the R2 will be on another level. Nearly double the ground clearance (the Mach E has less than an actual v8 gas mustang) and waaaaaay more usable room inside the vehicle. It has power outlets, accessory ports, and is designed for roof top tents. The Mach E is not, nor are the other comparable vehicles. For someone who wants a city vehicle, sure, they’re closer in comparison. If you have any desire to take it to the woods, the R2 should be a far superior option.

Ooooor you could just get an R1 now…

All fair points. I'd also imagine the ride being better on the R2, but can't say yet until its out, but the Mach-E can be a bit rough.

I have an R1S. The R2 would be more for my wife. I'd offered for her to take the R1S and I'd get an R1T, but she doesn't like bigger vehicles so the R2 would make more sense for her.

 

[Throwdown]

Can you transfer a reservation to someone else? Its highly unlikely that i will use mine and I got in very early, within 2 minutes of the reservations opening up

 

[JeepEVer]

I see what you are saying but don't fully agree. The R2 will compete with the Model Y (the elephant in the room) which also competes with the likes of the Mach-E, EV6, Ioniq 5 and that whole mess of wagons/hatchbacks/compact SUVs (?).

I certainly will like the higher ride height of the R2, adding that to the pros category.

The Model Y is in the same category as the Mach E. Neither are SUVs like the R2 is supposed to be. And just like the Jeep Wagoneer S, I cannot attach a ski rack to the roof, nor put a bike rack on a rear hitch, tow a trailer, nor go off road because there is insufficient ground clearance. The Jeep Recon, if it ever comes out of production, will directly compete with the R2 in the SUV category.

 

[iansriv]

Just reserve an R2 to get in line as it is only $100 refundable. Make the decision then on moving forward after you test drive an R2 for real comparison. Yor probably looking at very late 2027/early 2028 at best to getting into one depending on reservation # & preferred build specs given how slow they are planning to ramp up early 2026.

I 2nd that thought.

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