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

[Bullwinkle]

Rivian isn't being dishonest per se. They just chose the testing cycle that would benefit their marketing. I guess one could argue that is? I dunno.

I agree, that is why I said a bit--I also dunno.

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[Holler Wanderer]

I generally like the looks. BMW has had a grill problem for two decades, as evidenced by their constant tweaking; and the new class doesn't really fix it for me. Why is the main display a parallelogram, and why does it sit on the dash with no integration? The new display under the windshield is innovative and integrated, and is really cool.

I have a new 26 X5 50e running the latest V8.5 system software. It has most of the features I need, but its organization and UI are complicated--just not great, maybe not even good--and far below Rivian. Hands-free on the highway is OK, but not as good as my R1S. I will say that my electric range is 10% above what BMW rated. There is a distinctly different feeling/trust when a manufacturer exceeds spec vs inflates spec.

That's funny, I find the highway assist on the i4 so much better than my R1 that I never use it with the latter.

 

[DuoRivians]

How is this conversation going on for 19 pages? Haha.

Seems like if you want an R2 that badly, you’re going to get one, no matter what.

 

[Dennisis]

The R2 that did the EPA testing had a bit over 4k miles on it already. If they were the stock tires, they would be getting measurably better efficiency than brand new ones.


Why are so many of your posts disparaging while trying to sound positive? Leave already if you aren't going to get a Rivian. Shit, you post even more than I do.

Very true re the tires - they normally perform better than new when broken in.

 

[dleepnw]

Yikes, not great, but you shouldn't be buying a Rivian for efficiency. You buy it for capability. I think the most disappointing thing is that its not much more efficient than the R1. Felt like the marketing was making us believe it was leaps and bounds better. I wonder if RAP will make it more efficient or less?

 

[Zorg]

Is it possible the R2's drivetrain IS more efficient than the MY's and the 18-26% difference in efficiency range is due to aero differences only? (A stretch I know, but I'm trying to somehow rationalize Rivian's claims)

Or is it we're simply being gaslit by RJ?

My guess is weight and aerodynamics account for pretty much all of it. Rivian probably decided that this is the biggest pack they could afford in the package to hit their cost target and deal with it through EPA test optimization for marketing purposes

 

[Apprunner]

At the very least, its making me rethink about the tri-motor. Another 10-20% range penalty for that would make me think twice about that spec. Maybe they will add capacity.

 

[FLLDEA]

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.

Also I just googled EPA range test and it said the highway test is done at 60MPH.

 

[Zorg]

After 19 pages, we all found out that a shoebox is less aerodynamic than a bubble. Yeah!

 

[Apprunner]

After 19 pages, we all found out that a shoebox is less aerodynamic than a bubble. Yeah!

But RJ said they were the same...

 

[NinjaWrap]

Jose just posted this follow-up.

Why are they comparing combined city/highway range with 70 mph highway only results? That just makes the difference look worse than it already is. In reality the highway range at 60 from EPA comes out to ~299. Still a difference from their results but not “omg that’s terrible” difference.

I still want to know how the MYP beat EPA when their MY AWD test showed it 9% below EPA. What’s different about MYP now?

This is why the Highland Model 3 and Juniper Model Y often meet their stated range,

Out of Spec's own testing of Model Y Juniper AWD was 11.6% lower than EPA as were both 2024 Model Y tests. Seems like maybe we need multiple 70 mph tests run at different times, different places in different conditions to get a true picture.

 

[caffeinated]

Why are they comparing combined city/highway range with 70 mph highway only results? That just makes the difference look worse than it already is. In reality the highway range at 60 from EPA comes out to ~299. Still a difference from their results but not “omg that’s terrible” difference.

I still want to know how the MYP beat EPA when their MY AWD test showed it 9% below EPA. What’s different about MYP now?


Out of Spec's own testing of Model Y Juniper AWD was 11.6% lower than EPA as were both 2024 Model Y tests. Seems like maybe we need multiple 70 mph tests run at different times, different places in different conditions to get a true picture.

It seems plausible enough to me that the MYP and MYAWD get very similar range on the 70mph test because it is probably dominated by aero (similar body shape, similar battery capacity). In another thread someone posted a chart of efficiency factors vs. speed, and at freeway speeds it's almost entirely determined by drag.

My take away from this is that when you buy an MYP you are mostly sacrificing city efficiency. It's very possible that we see some of this with the R2's AT tire spec too, but it's true we need way more testing.

Edit: In a really weird way, these MYP results really have me considering the AT wheels again after I thought I had ruled them out. If most of the hit is to city range I would be fine with that. Naturally this is all wild speculation on my part, and I'd like to see more highway tests on the 20s.

 

[Apprunner]

It seems plausible enough to me that the MYP and MYAWD get very similar range on the 70mph test because it is probably dominated by aero (similar body shape, similar battery capacity). In another thread someone posted a chart of efficiency factors vs. speed, and at freeway speeds it's almost entirely determined by drag.

My take away from this is that when you buy an MYP you are mostly sacrificing city efficiency. It's very possible that we see some of this with the R2's AT tire spec too, but it's true we need way more testing.

Model Y Performance also has a newer rear motor. Maybe they squeezed a bit more efficiency vs. the older motor.

 

[DuoRivian]

Ok, so an elongated egg. Not a brick box.

???? It is a wagon. Squared off backend like the R2, elevated ride height due to similar ground clearance. The big difference is the front end which is sloped and that allows a $40k vehicle with a 280 mile EPA combined range to get 270 miles at 70+ highway driving - prefer that to a brick front end and 250 mile range (before winter).

 

[tivoboy]

What is annoying about all this efficiency covfefe is that ABRP (which rivian owns) has the efficiency or energy usage specification for the R2 Performance set to 3.55mile/kw.. so when using ABRP to plan a route, it’s just going to be most likely catastrophically off no?

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