Finished R2 demo test drive? Share your review / impressions

[SwampNut]

I love all of the golf comparisons. I have zero clue what size a golf bag is, and can only assume that a club is around waist high length? I don't think I've ever touched a golf bag in my life. Though I assume the mini-golf clubs are actually normal size?

But can you lay in it to drink a beer and smoke a cigar?

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[Great Gatsby]

Those folks are great but they literally have no idea when someone may or may not get an invite.

I'd echo this. I feel like I know more than they do sometimes. I take anything they say with a grain of salt.

That to say, not going to air out to much, but based on the conversation I had with someone at a showroom who seemed to know what is going on, everyone who wants a launch will probably get one. Things (like colors for the LE) being pulled forward is not a coincidence. They are now looking at data.

But speculating shouldn't be much longer. We should all know where we stand by the end of the month.

 

[DaveA]

I pulled into what I thought was going to be a new RAN charger in Rocklin, CA, yesterday en route to Tahoe. Pulling in, though, I realized it was a whole new sales space and service center. While I charged I was able to drive a white R2. I loved it! I’d seen an R2 already, but hadn’t been able to drive.

I don’t have much to add about the R2 itself. It was an absolute joy to drive. I’ll say that I was especially curious about the haptic wheels and audio. I’ve seen people complain about them in other reviews.

I thought the haptic wheels were amazing. While I agree it would take some time and experience for them to become second nature, they seem like something you’d adapt to quickly. That they deliver such pleasing physical controls to the steering wheel is brilliant.

The equalizer was tuned to heavy base with hollow mids when I turned on music. It gave a hollow muffled sound that seemed shockingly bad. But I tuned things to mirror settings in my Gen1 R1S, and I liked it much better. Rivian isn’t going to win any awards with this system, but it was decent. I enjoyed its sound, and I’m confident OTA updates will improve it with time.

One thing that really stood out to me, though, was how much it reinforced my love for R1. Where I had thought being in a smaller more nimble SUV would be appealing, it actually galvanized my love the beast of a vehicle that is my R1S. I don’t have kids, so I don’t need the third row. I’ve had that row of seats down just a handful of days. I have camped in it more often than that, LOL. I have just grown to love how high I sit. How safe I feel. The versatility of it.

There was an R1S tri-motor in Storm Blue in the show room. It had a camp stove outfitted on the tail gate. I left with an aspiration for THAT.

I’ve seen posts where some speculate R2 will take a bite out of R1. I don’t see that happening. R2 will expand the Rivian community exponentially, but I think R1 will remain aspirational. They’re substantially different despite the similarity of their shape.

It better take a huge bite out of R1 sales, or bye bye Rivian as a company.

 

[Great Gatsby]

It better take a huge bite out of R1 sales, or bye bye Rivian as a company.

R1 sales aren't huge. If they just relied on that for the R2, then it would be bye bye.

The Jeep and 4Runner, along with the Model Y, that is the pie to take after. And I'm sure they will. The R1 should keep aiming for the G-Wagon and Land Rover crowd as well as those seeking refuge from the recently called Model X.

I do hope the R1 gets updated soon though. The R2, unless you really need a third row, is feeling strictly better.

 

[Jeremy3292]

I love all of the golf comparisons. I have zero clue what size a golf bag is, and can only assume that a club is around waist high length? I don't think I've ever touched a golf bag in my life. Though I assume the mini-golf clubs are actually normal size?

But can you lay in it to drink a beer and smoke a cigar?

The R1 is probably the biggest frunk I've ever seen and rightfully so as it is a huge vehicle. So R1 owners are a little bit spoiled in that regard, so it depends on what your frame of reference is. The Model 3/Y have great frunk space especially for the size of the vehicle, but they're no R2. So if you're coming from a Model 3/Y the R2 frunk space looks great! But coming from an R1 it looks small, which of course makes logical sense as the R2 is a smaller vehicle.

Here's what I've been able to gather:

The very bottom length dimensions on the frunk without the side slopes is 43" wide. With the side slopes it's about 52" in length, hence why a set of golf clubs can fit. For reference a golf club driver is 45" to 46" + a few extra inches for the golf bag and headcovers. Width is about 16" and depth is about 14".

 

[RivianXpress]

 

[Jeremy3292]

The photo with 38" - where did you measure that too? Must be short bc a set of golf clubs with bag is minimum 50"

 

[sparked]

It better take a huge bite out of R1 sales, or bye bye Rivian as a company.

This makes no sense. R2 wasn't designed to take sales from $100k vehicles. It was benchmarked against Model Y. This would be like saying Model Y owners are regularly cross shopping R1S. It shouldn't be surprising that owners of $100k cars don't universally love the R2.

If anything, Rivian has been more sensitive to keeping the pricing low and cutting content because this segment of the market is much more price conscious.

 

[Redline]

This makes no sense. R2 wasn't designed to take sales from $100k vehicles. It was benchmarked against Model Y. This would be like saying Model Y owners are regularly cross shopping R1S. It shouldn't be surprising that owners of $100k cars don't universally love the R2.

Yeah not sure how many people are cross shopping $100k+ cars vs $40-60k.

We are ADDing to our Rivians because my wife wants a new car and doesn't like the size of my R1S. She's trading in her Rav4 hybrid for an R2.

 

[DaveA]

[

This makes no sense. R2 wasn't designed to take sales from $100k vehicles. It was benchmarked against Model Y. This would be like saying Model Y owners are regularly cross shopping R1S. It shouldn't be surprising that owners of $100k cars don't universally love the R2.

If anything, Rivian has been more sensitive to keeping the pricing low and cutting content because this segment of the market is much more price conscious.

My meaning was that they better sell a hell of a lot more than R1, because those sales are low volume. But I do think R2 will cannibalize some R1S sales for sure.

 

[SwampNut]

But I do think R2 will cannibalize some R1S sales for sure.

I agree, and believe that plenty of people probably think they "have to" buy a low end R1S or can buy a high end R2. I bet there's some overlap. Also a friend who was sort of wanting an R1S but hated the size now bought an R2.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

I love all of the golf comparisons. I have zero clue what size a golf bag is, and can only assume that a club is around waist high length? I don't think I've ever touched a golf bag in my life. Though I assume the mini-golf clubs are actually normal size?

But can you lay in it to drink a beer and smoke a cigar?

You will know the size for sure when you see two blow-ups in the frunk posted here

 

[Tony R1S]

Checked out the R2 in 21" over the weekend. Overall, was a good experience, the drive and handling was smooth and confident. Agree with most of the comments posted.. the rear glass drop down and dual glove boxes, autonomy+ is nice.

Prior to the demo drive, I was already mentally prepared to trade in my 3y R1S to the R2 Performance (the Launch features and the post-warranty service costs of G1 R1 parts made it compelling). However, the demo drive has completely changed my perspective, and I will be staying my R1 a little longer. I am spoiled by the R1 size and features, so the the loss of the adjustable ride height, reduced cargo/frunk, loss of FM radio, weaker sound system fidelity is enough to dissuade me from the move. This is of course an unfair comparison, and if I didn't have the R1 already, I would certainly commit to the R2 over other options available today.

 

[derekmw]

Checked out the R2 in 21" over the weekend. Overall, was a good experience, the drive and handling was smooth and confident. Agree with most of the comments posted.. the rear glass drop down and dual glove boxes, autonomy+ is nice.

Prior to the demo drive, I was already mentally prepared to trade in my 3y R1S to the R2 Performance (the Launch features and the post-warranty service costs of G1 R1 parts made it compelling). However, the demo drive has completely changed my perspective, and I will be staying my R1 a little longer. I am spoiled by the R1 size and features, so the the loss of the adjustable ride height, reduced cargo/frunk, loss of FM radio, weaker sound system fidelity is enough to dissuade me from the move. This is of course an unfair comparison, and if I didn't have the R1 already, I would certainly commit to the R2 over other options available today.

I feel the same. I love my R1T. But I do like the R2 suspension in the sense that it is much quieter - the air suspension is nice but my R1T always sounds loose - and this was the same on my first R1T too.

We plan to get it for my wife though to replace her Model 3, and for her, it's a big upgrade.

 

[Zorg]

I pulled into what I thought was going to be a new RAN charger in Rocklin, CA, yesterday en route to Tahoe. Pulling in, though, I realized it was a whole new sales space and service center. While I charged I was able to drive a white R2. I loved it! I’d seen an R2 already, but hadn’t been able to drive.

I don’t have much to add about the R2 itself. It was an absolute joy to drive. I’ll say that I was especially curious about the haptic wheels and audio. I’ve seen people complain about them in other reviews.

I thought the haptic wheels were amazing. While I agree it would take some time and experience for them to become second nature, they seem like something you’d adapt to quickly. That they deliver such pleasing physical controls to the steering wheel is brilliant.

The equalizer was tuned to heavy base with hollow mids when I turned on music. It gave a hollow muffled sound that seemed shockingly bad. But I tuned things to mirror settings in my Gen1 R1S, and I liked it much better. Rivian isn’t going to win any awards with this system, but it was decent. I enjoyed its sound, and I’m confident OTA updates will improve it with time.

One thing that really stood out to me, though, was how much it reinforced my love for R1. Where I had thought being in a smaller more nimble SUV would be appealing, it actually galvanized my love the beast of a vehicle that is my R1S. I don’t have kids, so I don’t need the third row. I’ve had that row of seats down just a handful of days. I have camped in it more often than that, LOL. I have just grown to love how high I sit. How safe I feel. The versatility of it.

There was an R1S tri-motor in Storm Blue in the show room. It had a camp stove outfitted on the tail gate. I left with an aspiration for THAT.

I’ve seen posts where some speculate R2 will take a bite out of R1. I don’t see that happening. R2 will expand the Rivian community exponentially, but I think R1 will remain aspirational. They’re substantially different despite the similarity of their shape.

Passed by Rocklin today on way to the bay. What a nice setup! Checked out the R2 in the store. Looks like a mini R1, which is a compliment. They gonna sell every unit they produce. Rear seat legroom is simply amazing. Did not have time to test drive.

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