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

[Electric Rivilution]

Results:

Test Overview & Methodology [00:22]

• Standard Test Protocol: Both vehicles were charged to 100%, set to recommended cold tire pressures (42 psi), put in their most efficient driving modes (Conserve Mode for R2; Chill Mode for Model Y), and driven at a constant 70-mph GPS speed along a flat, tree-lined highway (US-64) until they could no longer maintain 70 mph [00:29], [12:04], [18:28].
• Distance Accuracy: Because both vehicles’ odometers were slightly optimistic, the team calibrated the final mileage figures using a ground-truth reference vehicle (Porsche Cayenne) [01:02:20].

Detailed Behavior & Key Findings
1. Rivian R2 Performance

• Performance Curve: Maintained speed normally down to 5% battery, at which point power output began derating slightly [41:58].
• Shutdown: Reached 0% range display at ~250 miles [44:06]. It ran an additional ~5 miles into its bottom buffer before entering "Turtle Mode" and dropping below 70 mph at 253 real-world miles [46:13].
• Battery Discharge: Outputted 89.3 kWh, which is slightly higher than Rivian's official claim of 87.9 kWh usable capacity [01:01:17].

2. Tesla Model Y Performance

• Performance Curve: Drove roughly 18 miles past the point where the R2 ran out of battery [41:00]. It hit 0% range display right at 300 miles [54:12].
• Shutdown: At 317.8 miles indicated (310.1 miles adjusted), the vehicle displayed a sudden "Unable to drive" warning and cut motive power directly while maintaining 70 mph [55:44], [57:37].
• Efficiency: Achieved an impressive 3.77 mi/kWh despite having wider 275 mm rear tires [01:06:28].

3. Rivian R1S (Dual Motor Max Pack Benchmark)

• Travelled 358.6 miles—over 100 miles farther than the R2—due to its significantly larger battery pack [01:08:38].
• Efficiency was fairly close to the R2 (2.62 mi/kWh vs. 2.83 mi/kWh), showing that the smaller R2 is not substantially more aerodynamic or energy-efficient than its larger sibling at 70 mph highway speeds [01:09:19].

Main Takeaways & Discrepancies [01:07:04]

• The EPA Gap: On paper, the Rivian R2 advertises 24 miles more range than the Tesla Model Y (330 mi vs. 306 mi). In real-world 70-mph testing, the Tesla went 57 miles farther than the Rivian R2 [01:07:19].
• Manufacturer Calibration Differences: The hosts emphasized that this discrepancy stems from how manufacturers run EPA test cycles. Tesla tends to voluntarily under-rate or choose cycles that reflect highway cruising, while Rivian chose a cycle setting (and conserve mode offsets) that maximizes the advertised EPA sticker number [01:04:51].
• Aerodynamics: The R2's boxier "brick-like" body shape creates higher wind resistance at 70 mph compared to the streamlined shape of the Model Y [01:01:48].

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[iamnid]

R2 255 miles

Model Y 310 Miles

 

[applemonster]

Just a note the 330 rating is a combined highway/city rating. The highway rating on 21's I believe is something like 303, not massively different, but it's definitely not rated at 330 on purely highway speeds.

 

[savethemanual]

Also of note, there's been another range test done on the A/T's which achieved 259 miles (State of Charge) and he didn't even run it down to a dead stop. The temp was 98 degrees and cabin temp of 68 with OOS test.

 

[Electric Rivilution]

R2 255 miles

Model Y 310 Miles

255.0 miles was the raw distance logged directly on the Rivian R2's trip computer screen.

253.0 miles is the adjusted ground-truth distance after accounting for a 2-mile odometer optimism (calibrated against the reference vehicle - the Porsche Cayenne).

Out of Spec used 253.0 miles for their final percentage and efficiency calculations

 

[emlo]

What a disappointment for the R2

 

[Dmartin]

Disappointing, hoping that Rivian have something up their sleeves to improve range/efficiency (maybe a BMS issue with this vehicle). That being said, even if this is the real truth I'm still moving forward with my delivery, I wanted 300 miles of hwy range but being honest with myself 255 isn't going to have a material impact on me for (literally) 99% of my driving, and I road trip a ton. After this video I went and looked at a planned 1200 mile road trip we are doing next month, I looked at the charging stops I had planned with our Quad R1T gen 1 (I realistically can get 300ish hwy miles with that truck on 21's). Turns out I'm still going to be stopping at the same locations, and for less total time if I get the r2 before that trip.

More range would be nice and was wanted but this isn't going to be a deal breaker for me given the capabilities of the vehicle, I am OK with this range trade off vs a model Y (though a bit disappointed with Rivian's EPA rating, they used to be the conservative company vs tesla the unrealistic company and that has unfortunately flipped it seems )

 

[iamnid]

255.0 miles was the raw distance logged directly on the Rivian R2's trip computer screen.

253.0 miles is the adjusted ground-truth distance after accounting for a 2-mile odometer optimism (calibrated against the reference vehicle - the Porsche Cayenne).

Out of Spec used 253.0 miles for their final percentage and efficiency calculations

Fair enough - I was trying to do the TLDR version - you are correct

 

[Jeremy3292]

Of note: 98 degrees outside and AC set to 68 degrees auto. Lots of power used there, so this is probably a worst case scenario IMO.

 

[TexasBob]

Wait, wait, wait. I am seriously doing the "I told you so" dance. Since the modeled number from April was within 1% of the actual.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/r2-highway-range-at-70mph-250-miles-modeled.58503/

 

[Jeremy3292]

Wait, wait, wait. I am seriously doing the "I told you so" dance. Since the modeled number from April was within 1% of the actual.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/r2-highway-range-at-70mph-250-miles-modeled.58503/

This was 98 degrees outside and AC set to 68 degrees auto. Not a good weather 70 degree day. Tons of AC power draw.

 

[ksurfier]

Results:

Test Overview & Methodology [00:22]

• Standard Test Protocol: Both vehicles were charged to 100%, set to recommended cold tire pressures (42 psi), put in their most efficient driving modes (Conserve Mode for R2; Chill Mode for Model Y), and driven at a constant 70-mph GPS speed along a flat, tree-lined highway (US-64) until they could no longer maintain 70 mph [00:29], [12:04], [18:28].
• Distance Accuracy: Because both vehicles’ odometers were slightly optimistic, the team calibrated the final mileage figures using a ground-truth reference vehicle (Porsche Cayenne) [01:02:20].

Detailed Behavior & Key Findings
1. Rivian R2 Performance

• Performance Curve: Maintained speed normally down to 5% battery, at which point power output began derating slightly [41:58].
• Shutdown: Reached 0% range display at ~250 miles [44:06]. It ran an additional ~5 miles into its bottom buffer before entering "Turtle Mode" and dropping below 70 mph at 253 real-world miles [46:13].
• Battery Discharge: Outputted 89.3 kWh, which is slightly higher than Rivian's official claim of 87.9 kWh usable capacity [01:01:17].

2. Tesla Model Y Performance

• Performance Curve: Drove roughly 18 miles past the point where the R2 ran out of battery [41:00]. It hit 0% range display right at 300 miles [54:12].
• Shutdown: At 317.8 miles indicated (310.1 miles adjusted), the vehicle displayed a sudden "Unable to drive" warning and cut motive power directly while maintaining 70 mph [55:44], [57:37].
• Efficiency: Achieved an impressive 3.77 mi/kWh despite having wider 275 mm rear tires [01:06:28].

3. Rivian R1S (Dual Motor Max Pack Benchmark)

• Travelled 358.6 miles—over 100 miles farther than the R2—due to its significantly larger battery pack [01:08:38].
• Efficiency was fairly close to the R2 (2.62 mi/kWh vs. 2.83 mi/kWh), showing that the smaller R2 is not substantially more aerodynamic or energy-efficient than its larger sibling at 70 mph highway speeds [01:09:19].

Main Takeaways & Discrepancies [01:07:04]

• The EPA Gap: On paper, the Rivian R2 advertises 24 miles more range than the Tesla Model Y (330 mi vs. 306 mi). In real-world 70-mph testing, the Tesla went 57 miles farther than the Rivian R2 [01:07:19].
• Manufacturer Calibration Differences: The hosts emphasized that this discrepancy stems from how manufacturers run EPA test cycles. Tesla tends to voluntarily under-rate or choose cycles that reflect highway cruising, while Rivian chose a cycle setting (and conserve mode offsets) that maximizes the advertised EPA sticker number [01:04:51].
• Aerodynamics: The R2's boxier "brick-like" body shape creates higher wind resistance at 70 mph compared to the streamlined shape of the Model Y [01:01:48].

Careful, the village idiots are going to come after you for suggesting the R2 might not get EPA numbers….

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Interestingly, the Porsche Cayenne EV, which is larger and heavier than the R2, got way better efficiency

 

[cwq93r]

Also of note, there's been another range test done on the A/T's which achieved 259 miles (State of Charge) and he didn't even run it down to a dead stop. The temp was 98 degrees and cabin temp of 68 with OOS test.

Yeah, 68° cabin temp doesn’t make much sense when performing this test but it also brings in the question how more or less efficient the 20s are in comparison.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Rivian doesn’t have some hidden efficiency magic. Nobody in the U.S. EV space does right now (sans Lucid). Range still comes from the same two levers: bigger batteries and lower drag. The idea of ultra‑efficient motors being a game‑changer is a marketing myth at this point.

Rivian also should’ve been clearer about the R2’s target. It’s aimed at the 4Runner crowd, not the Model Y crowd. It was never going to match the aero of a jellybean lying on its stomach and pretending otherwise only confused people.

Where the R2 absolutely destroys the Model Y is the charging curve. The Y’s curve is genuinely bad compared to Rivian’s. Drive 200 miles at 70 mph, pull in for a top‑up, and the R2 gets you back on the road much faster. That matters on real road trips. On charging performance alone, the R2 is in a different league.

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