R2 Wish List?

[midnightscavenger]

I would definitely want a whole home backup capability living in Florida. With my solar system and an R2 with backup available through the charge port I could power necessities for as long as necessary.

I agree completely. I live in an old neighborhood so power outages happen frequently.

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[ElEsido]

Hi forum members

My wife and I currently drive a Skoda Yeti. Skoda is VW Group's "practical use first" brand, and the Yeti is a small/mid size SUV built on the VW Gulf platform. It's roomy and utilitarian, tows 2.1 tons (4630lbs) and has a boxy "honey, I shrank the Discovery" look. It takes us to the mountains, tows the horse trailer over the weekend or a sailplane trailer to the south of France, carries our bikes to Italy, and is quite reasonably sized for weekly grocery shopping and squeezing it into a free parking slot in the crowded town on a Friday night.

Ours will be approaching the end of its life in 2-3 years and the R2 is currently at the top on my watch list.

Here is what I would like to see in the R2:

Towing capacity: It should at least match my Yeti with 2.1 tons (4630lbs); better 2.5to / 5500lbs and 2.7to / 5950lbs would be good.

The towing hitch should be useable when the proprietary bike rack is mounted, so that a trailer could be pulled even when taking the bikes. Alternatively, a secondary tow hitch that is mounted to the bike rack would be useful, even if it comes with a reduced load, (1to / 2200lbs min; 1.3to / 2900lbs better; 1.5to / 3300lbs nice).

A rail and variable hook system on the bottom of the trunk and at its side walls to attach stuff and to hang up shopping bags on the walls of the trunk so that they don't fall over in turns or at sharp stops.

Torch in de door is nice - please also add an umbrella (like some Skodas).

Optional seats in the trunk, at least for 2 kids. Forward, sideways or backward facing. Rivian won't cannibalize R1 sales in Europe when offering the R2 with more than 5 seats. The R1 is too large for Europe and doesn't fit into our average parking slots, old towns, home garages, or the tight shopping center park deck access spirals. Europeans who would need more seats wouldn't choose an R1 over an R2, they would switch to a VW Alhambra or the like. So I don't think, Rivian would lose many sales in Europe when offering the R2 with some optional extra seats in the trunk, quite the opposite.

A range extender - why not on a rental basis. You could mount it on a bike-rack like platform in the back (if the towing hitch can still be used). Would be useful for those occasional long drives with a trailer.

Probably not going to happen but: Please give us physical buttons and switches and knobs to control driving relevant functions without looking at any display, but just by touch. One button/switch/dial should have only one function. Keep it simple for us when we're busy driving.

I'm sure I'll have other ideas later...

Best, ElEsido

 

[Kaz109]

I don’t frequent this forum often because I am only interested in my R2 reservation….. have I missed any new developments?

 

[GandOsDad]

Has anyone mentioned a rear jump seat like a Mercedes E-class wagon?

would be nice to be able to transport two extra people when in a pinch.

 

[JasonK]

It would be nice if there was a software option to change the tire diameter for those of us who like to put on aftermarket tires.

 

[midnightscavenger]

I don’t frequent this forum often because I am only interested in my R2 reservation….. have I missed any new developments?

For Rivian in general as a company, tons, but no new developments that I found specific to the R2

 

[midnightscavenger]

I’ll parrot/add some of what others posted..
Electrochromic glass or sunshade
Outlet in the frunk for fridge/cooler
Great speakers
Offer full PPF option on all trims
Excellent build quality
Gear guard alert and live view on phone
Being able to charge other electric vehicles
Auto tilting of side mirrors when in reverse
Ventilated seats (just double checking)
Able to turn into a spaceship to get the eff off this rock when it all goes to hell

 

[caldoguy]

I love the idea of the 220v, even better I would prefer being able to use the Rivian to act as a generator when I lose power.

 

[ElEsido]

I would be disappointed if it didn't come with bi-direcional charging.

 

[midnightscavenger]

I would be disappointed if it didn't come with bi-direcional charging.

This is supported according to their investor day presentation.

 

[ElEsido]

At least on the higher-trim models offer two charge ports (front and back).
Advantages of having an (additional) charge port on the passenger front side:
- accessible curb side charging
- directly compatible access with Superchargers
- easier access to majority of chargers installed
- supports towing!
- compatibility with the proprietary bike rack (you don't want to reverse into a charging station with bikes on the back.)

Make these in-car power outlets 230V for us Euros, please.

 

[ElEsido]

Please please please absolutely keep the folding front row seats on the production model (including ventilation). Even if they only come on a higher trim level.

The folding seats, together with two charge ports (front/back) would make the R2 the perfect sports platform for those who go on longer trips with bikes and/or a trailer.

The more I dream of the R2, the more I think of it as a smaller more rugged VW camping bus competitor. If the T6 came electric, it might be a winner, but since it does not exist, the R2 is extremely tempting. Just put usability first, please.

 

[zymolysis]

Charge port in the front - either side, but passenger side makes the most sense.
Make the glass roof optional. There are quite a few of us that don't want that expensive, fragile, solar/heat-admitting thing in the roof.
Add clock and odometer onto the driver's screen, and make the fonts large enough to be legible.

 

[zymolysis]

I can't believe no one has said CarPlay / Android Auto yet? I don't think I can buy without CarPlay.

You are wasting your time following Rivian forums, then. RJ is adamant that he won't implement those on Rivians.

 

[ElEsido]

One can dream, right?

Samsung has announced a new type of fast-charging long-range (600+ miles / 1000km) solid state battery that should go into production in 2027 and will first be featured on high-end vehicles. PCMag link.

Rivian: Please consider a path towards those batteries in the years to come.

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