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

[blipit]

Regardless, the Model Y *spanks* the R2 in like-for-like conditions, and ~matches it's own EPA highway range while the R2 comes up WELL short.

This is disappointing mostly because of expectations setting.

That is the real problem here, is the efficiency expectations RJ put out in interviews.

Rivian just needs to be honest across their entire lineup, not just R2.

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[MountainBikeDude]

For those comparing to the new IX3, it fell short on range tests as well by about 86 miles at 110km/hr (68mph). So goes back to certification tests not reflecting real world conditions. Only 1 person so far has done a real world test thus far.

Of note, the iX3 was initially touted as 400 miles of range, but was since recertified as 434 miles of range by BMW. Real world range was 348 miles.

 

[shandering]

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/

clearly not from the model Y where you predicted 262 miles

 

[cwq93r]

Why wouldn't it make sense? It's 98 degrees out. I keep my cabin at 68 degrees when driving in the summer. Or do you expect them to run with windows down, killing efficiency even further? Seems like a pretty real-world test.

If I turn the temp in my Model 3 or Y to 70 or higher with the AC on, the air coming out is slightly warm and icky.

Maybe you would’ve done that but when out of spec normally does these tests they set temp at the minimum comfort level to get as much juice to the wheels as possible. That would be in the low to mid 7x° range.
As for real world testing, I made a calculation error in a rented Tesla Y driving down to LA when it was 110° in the valley. I had to turn temps up to 78° in the vehicle in order to make it to the charger at 0%

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Right but the headline is how much lower the R2 is compared to EPA when another test could be much closer. But everyone picks up on this test because you all are YouTubers.

It doesn't take much to see the logic...

1) RJ says R2 will match MY efficiency. OK, we take it as gospel
2) EPA numbers come out, and R2 closely matches Model Y efficiency. OK, so far, so good
3) Real-world 70 mph test with two vehicles configured to be as close to equal as possible. R2 comes up way short; Model Y slightly overperforms.

You can complain about the ambient temperature and HVAC temperature, but the vehicles were operating under the same test conditions in the real world, not in a lab. The EPA numbers are meant as a comparison tool between vehicles, IIRC...

So if two EVs are rated for similar efficiency per the EPA, I would expect them to perform close to each other across a wide spectrum of temperatures: at 32 degrees, at 68 degrees, at 100 degrees.

But for one to VASTLY underperform while one hits the mark right on the dot? Something smells fishy.

 

[DuoRivians]

For those comparing to the new IX3, it fell short on range tests as well by about 86 miles at 110km/hr (68mph). So goes back to certification tests not reflecting real world conditions. Only 1 person so far has done a real world test thus far.

Of note, the iX3 was initially touted as 400 miles of range, but was since recertified as 434 miles of range by BMW. Real world range was 348 miles.

I saw a video that showed the iX3 got close to 390 miles of range at 70mph. I’ll see if I can find it.

Edit:

it was an article from https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/ix3#costs

 

[Indy avocado]

What surprises me most other than the obvious, is that the R2 isn’t measurably better than the R1s?

It’s like 3% better, but has 20+% less weight, and should somehow be more efficient due to motor usage and 3-4 years of engineering optimzaiton. And a bit to cD. Odd.

Sure, that's why Tom over at SOC got 259 miles on A/T's and he didn't even run it until it died.

Same corrections applied. Boxy shape is probably massively advantaged by altitude, more than the dyno / cd would suggest.

A R1S in Colorado can get nearly as efficient as an R2 in NC

 

[blipit]

For those comparing to the new IX3, it fell short on range tests as well by about 86 miles at 110km/hr (68mph). So goes back to certification tests not reflecting real world conditions. Only 1 person so far has done a real world test thus far.

Of note, the iX3 was initially touted as 400 miles of range, but was since recertified as 434 miles of range by BMW. Real world range was 348 miles.

BMW iX3 ranges greatly differ by wheel package. 434miles range is with 20 wheels. The wheels pictured are 21 wheels, the range is stated at 399 miles.

His 110kph test was partly driven in some rain. He has another test at constant 130kph(81mph), the iX3 got 2.89 m/kwh. Which is really good actually.

BMW iX3 has better efficiency at 80mph than R2 at 70mph. It also charges at 400+kw.

 

[TexasBob]

For those comparing to the new IX3, it fell short on range tests as well by about 86 miles at 110km/hr (68mph). So goes back to certification tests not reflecting real world conditions. Only 1 person so far has done a real world test thus far.

Of note, the iX3 was initially touted as 400 miles of range, but was since recertified as 434 miles of range by BMW. Real world range was 348 miles.

Assuming the 348 is correct, iX3 only goes 100 miles further than R2 which means the DC Fast charging real world 10% - 80% is almost exactly twice as fast as the R2:
R2 - 6.1 miles per minute (70% x 253 = 177 miles / 29 minutes = 6.1 miles minute)
iX3 - 12.2 miles per minute (70% x 348 = 244 miles / 20 minutes = 12.2 miles minute)

 

[savethemanual]

It doesn't take much to see the logic...

1) RJ says R2 will match MY efficiency. OK, we take it as gospel
2) EPA numbers come out, and R2 closely matches Model Y efficiency. OK, so far, so good
3) Real-world 70 mph test with two vehicles configured to be as close to equal as possible. R2 comes up way short; Model Y slightly overperforms.

You can complain about the ambient temperature and HVAC temperature, but the vehicles were operating under the same test conditions in the real world, not in a lab. The EPA numbers are meant as a comparison tool between vehicles, IIRC...

So if two EVs are rated for similar efficiency per the EPA, I would expect them to perform close to each other across a wide spectrum of temperatures: at 32 degrees, at 68 degrees, at 100 degrees.

But for one to VASTLY underperform while one hits the mark right on the dot? Something smells fishy.

I get that. It seems though the R2 would of come closer to it's stated EPA figures and the MYP would of done better than EPA under less extreme heat. No doubt the ratings can be sand bagged or squeezed thin...I much prefer the former.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I'm not surprised at all at the R2 number. What I am surprised at is the Model Y Performance number.

My Cybertruck also doesn't get EPA at 70+. Especially since I got non OEM tires. I should be mad!

Real world traveling I see no substantial difference in a trip in our old RWD Model 3, old Model 3 Performance, old Model Y Performance, new Model Y RWD and Cyberbeast. We drive a couple hours, stop to get a snack/drink/meal and use the restroom and then sit and check our phones for a few minutes all while the car charges, and then we drive another couple hours.

Hey, it gets cold here... at least in central NC I don't know how far south in SC you are. Between Dec and Feb, we have average daily highs of around 39, and can dip down to the 20s for some days.

In the NC mountains and we have single digit and below zero mornings (wind chills sometimes -20 to -30!). Sometimes single digit highs but not in the last few years. Typically still below freezing highs several times throughout the winter. This year we had plenty of days where the highs were 20s. Hottest we got this summer, which is very rare here, was 95.

 

[NeverFollow]

M3 P -> 310.1 mi / 82.2 kW = 3.77 mi / kWh
R2 P -> 253.0 mi / 89.3 kWh = 2.88 mi / kWh (- 30 %)

 

[blipit]

Assuming the 348 is correct, iX3 only goes 100 miles further than R2 which means the DC Fast charging real world 10% - 80% is almost exactly twice as fast as the R2:
R2 - 6.1 miles per minute (70% x 253 = 177 miles / 29 minutes = 6.1 miles minute)
iX3 - 12.2 miles per minute (70% x 348 = 244 miles / 20 minutes = 12.2 miles minute)

That guys 110kph test run was in a rain storm. Half way through roads fully wet and wipers going.

I trust his 130kph(81mph) highway test much more(2.89 m/kwh). It was a clean run.

I'm not surprised at all at the R2 number. What I am surprised at is the Model Y Performance number.

Since Juniper and Highland refreshes, MY/M3 exceeding EPA at highway speeds has been the norm. Most EVs will test under EPA numbers at constant 70mph. But they don't miss by the amount the R2 did...almost 80miles(23.3%).

 

[NinjaWrap]

What I am surprised at is the Model Y Performance number.

For reference our 2025 Model Y long range RWD has EPA of 357 and our real world lifetime efficiency is 4.41 miles per kWh or 363 miles range. But this is almost exclusively city with some rare <70 mph highway driving. Wife doesn't travel in it much at all so it's rarely ever been on a highway with more than a 60 mph speed limit. It would definitely be below EPA if she did. EPA highway range would be 326 and city 381. Performance EPA range comes out to 324 city and 291 highway, so they beat it by almost 20 miles?

Also here is OOS own 70 mph test on a 2025 LR AWD Model Y and you can see two older Model Ys above it - all around 10% less than EPA rated range.

 

[Apprunner]

That guys 110kph test run was in a rain storm. Half way through roads fully wet and wipers going.

I trust his 130kph(81mph) highway test much more(2.89 m/kwh). It was a clean run.


Since Juniper and Highland refreshes, MY/M3 exceeding EPA at highway speeds has been the norm. Most EVs will test under EPA numbers at constant 70mph. But they don't miss by the amount the R2 did...almost 80miles(23.3%).

The new MY/M3 are very very efficient. Not surprised at the result and in R2 will never catch the MYP even with better charging. But unless you are mainly using the car for road tripping, this is pretty much academic. I bet if you put on the Hankook Ion Evo tires on the R2, you could get 10% better efficiency too.

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