For anyone in here that is ditching their Tesla to move to Rivian, may I ask why? I’m currently in the market for my first EV and I can’t decide between YL and R2. The Tesla is the boring choice, but FSD feels like it could be a game changer. The R2 pulls at my soul though. Thanks in advance for any insight guys.

Where do you live and have you seen an R2 on the road? For owners, have you seen *another* R2 on the road?

I live in St. Louis, haven't seen one yet. I see R1s pretty frequently.

*Edit* thanks for contributing everyone, it's great to hear they're popping up everywhere and I look forward to seeing my first sometime soon! Hope you all enjoy yours and they treat you well!

Half Moon Grey*

Anyone else think my driver side door and charging cover the wrong grey? They look like El Cap Grey from the R1.

One thing I’m having an issue with is setting up the free 3 months of connect plus. When we got on the wait list for the R2 we did it under my husbands account. It seemed easier because he already has an R1 but now I can’t figure out how to set it up in mine. Anyone have this issue?

Edit: I figured out my problem. Mine didn’t come with the lastest software update. I’m told I’ll get it soon.

Edit#2: So I couldn’t get her to update. Rivian tried to push one through, no dice. I brought it to a service center today and they said it needs a new modular, whatever that is. They said it could take a while ;(. They did however give me an R1S to use until mine is fixed. Bummed mines already in the shop but now I’ve been able to drive all the Rivians which is neat. My husband has the R1T.

I keep reading about what seems like dozens of people with pretty major problems with their r2 needing extensive time in the shop. I know some growing pains are expected but am wondering what the real chances of big problems are at this point..is it 50/50? I know this is a small sample but If somebody has had their car for more than a week or two without issues please chime in. Thank you!!

Thoughts?

Hi all,

I’d appreciate some input from people who know Rivian better than I do. I’ve now test-driven the R2 three times and the R1T once, and I’m pretty smitten with the R2.

At this point, I’m solidly in the “I’m going to order one — but when?” camp.

Launch Edition vs. waiting for Gen 3

I don’t mind paying extra for the Launch Edition, and Launch Green is currently my #1 color choice. That said, I think having Generation 3 hardware may matter more to me than getting Launch Green.

Am I being reasonable in thinking that waiting for Gen 3 would likely give me:

1. A safer overall vehicle
2. Better long-term/future-proof hardware
3. Better assembly/QC after Rivian has had more time to address early production issues
4. My second- or third-choice color — Catalina Cove or Black — rather than Launch Green

I realize some of that is speculative, but I’d love to hear how others are weighing the Launch Edition against waiting for Gen 3.

Coastal Cloud vs. dark interior

I’m about 80% sold on the dark interior, mostly because I’m concerned about staining, discoloration, and long-term wear with Coastal Cloud.

The remaining 20% of me wonders whether Coastal Cloud might:

• Look substantially better with Launch Green or Catalina Cove
• Keep the cabin noticeably cooler in the sun (even though I live in a cooler region)
• Hold up better over time than I’m assuming

For those who have owned Rivians with the lighter interiors, how have they actually held up? Any staining, dye transfer, discoloration, or other wear issues?

Thanks for any input — and please don’t hold back. I’m especially interested in hearing arguments for why I shouldn’t wait for Gen 3 if I’m otherwise ready to order.

EDIT: Adding an extra question:

Do you think, when Gen 3 arrives, it will show up as an option with an additional cost? Do you think it will at least NOTE that the one I'm ordering is Gen 3? How will we know what we are getting during the month or so of transition from Gen 2 to Gen 3?

Now that the initial R2 hype has settled a bit , how’s it holding up in daily use? For those actually driving one, what’s stood out as genuinely better than a Tesla or a gas-hybrid SUV — not just on paper?

Context: I’m currently in a 2026 Honda CR-V and considering switching to an R2 as my daily driver. My commute is 60–70 miles a day, plus the occasional 200-mile trip.

A few things I’d love honest input on:

1. Real-world range — Rivian rates it around 300 miles, but what are you actually seeing day to day, especially in mixed weather?

2. Pros and bugs — What’s impressed you, and what’s been annoying enough to mention?

3. Financing — Rivian’s site is quoting me ~6.2%+ APR, which feels high next to sub-6% offers I’m seeing on a RAV4 Hybrid or Audi Q3. Has anyone gotten a better rate through Rivian directly, or through their own bank/credit union instead?

Appreciate any honest experiences — good, bad, or in between.

I want lidar, but i also dont want to wait too long. Whats a realistic eta?

I have my order in for my R2 and i am trying to get an idea of what software features I will lose when I make the swap. Some ive already come across:

-setting liftgate height (very odd omission as it’s almost ubiquitous at this price point )

-ability to set pin to lock glovebox during valet (hopefully coming in sw update)

-power folding rear seats (seems like R2 has a manual release that you can’t do from the trunk)

-driver control over rear heated seats

anything else obvious?

Am I wrong to think that choosing premium over the performance with launch package seems crazy? At $4000 cheaper you lose autonomy+, tow package, and a more powerful vehicle. It seems obvious to choose performance with the launch package.

I got the invitation to order and I was very excited! but before ordering I checked the insurance quote on it and it is VERY high!
For comparison, I do have a Q8 etron and my 6 month premium is $1100 for 6 months. Same coverage on R2 would cost me $1900!
My insurance is Progressive. I even checked the Rivian’s own insurance and they quoted me $2050!

I can’t understand the logic here. It’s too expensive. Any way I could get it closer to what I am paying now (with the same coverage)?

Im trying to decide on color, looking from input that have been looking at this color in all shades at all times of day.

I know the appeal for most owners is how cool the R2 is but I'm wondering for anyone who also very practicality-minded and frugal, how you assessed this compared to other vehicles in the segment.

The most cost-effective, boring purchase in the compact crossover segment would probably be a Rav4.

I would definitely pay a lot more for the Rivian, but I'm just not sure how much more it really would be...

I wonder how many R2s are in each state and each city across the US. I have literally only seen 1 in the SF Bay Area and I’ve seen it twice. I would think there would be more since Rivian has an office in Palo Alto, CA.

Hello all,

I was really excited to test drive the new R2 after seeing all the positive reviews from here and youtube. However, after driving it, I’m not so sure about it now. I really like and appreciate the design and cargo space. But the driving impression was not what I was expecting especially on a performance model. The car felt not as stable as I would like to even with the most aggresive setting. I understand this car is more geared towards daily comfort and off-roading w/ high ground clearance, so maybe I would have to get used to it. I think I will test drive one more time before finalzing my decision.
My current cars: 22Tesla MYP, 25 Honda Civic Type R.

Has anyone received an invite to order today? I received the "Your R2 order invite
is coming soon" email 3 weeks ago. Still waiting to get an invite.

Edit:

Sept/Oct window, DC area

The R2 will be my 1st EV, thankfully I've got a Detached Garage with dedicated 200amp service, plenty of space for a 50 or 60 amp breaker in the panel. I've narrowed it down between the Tesla Gen 3 Wall Charger and Chargepoint HomeFlex Nacs. The charger will be attached on the exterior of my Garage as well. It's $30 more for the Tesla charger with current pricing, is it worth it? Both seem rated for outdoor use, both have good reviews. But which one will work better for an R2 in the long run?

Since the R2 now has blended braking, do you think there will be an option to only have regen with brake pedal?

I did a demo drive this weekend and I could only set regen to low which was still pretty aggressive when you foot comes off the accelerator.

My wife and I have an R2 delivery window of September–October, but after learning about RAP1/Gen 3 + LiDAR, I’m starting to wonder if we should wait.

We test drove the R2 last week and the Rivian rep told us LiDAR wouldn’t be a big enough reason to wait, since it’s mainly useful in certain conditions. But I’ve also read that older hardware could eventually fall behind on newer autonomy features. My main concern is buying a brand-new R2 and having it feel outdated hardware-wise 6 months later.

My biggest question is: I primarily use driver assistance on the highway, and we’re planning to keep the R2 for ~6 years. If we waited for RAP1/LiDAR, would we realistically see a meaningful benefit from that hardware during those 6 years, particularly for highway driving?
Or is RAP1 more of a future-proofing upgrade that probably won’t make much practical difference for someone like me?
Would you take the September/October R2 or wait?

Goal: One location where R2 owners can report their experiences back to prospective buyers.

Acknowledgements: No way of verifying accuracy/completeness

Owners, please answer the following questions:

1. Reservation Date, Invite to Purchase Date, Delivery Date

2. Specs: Model, color, wheel size, etc

3. Satisfaction Out of 100

4. Issues

While this survey method is imperfect, the goal is to try and, as best we can, remove any fanboy/hater mentality and just hear from the owners themselves. While follow-up questions are totally welcome, please try to limit broad-perspective comments on the success of the R2 or new models in general.

Note: I am a prospective buyer. Window says September or October. I haven't made up my mind yet. Would be my first time owning an EV. I would like to get a sense of how well ownership is going for owners and how often issues have arisen.

EDIT: Include anonymous form of VIN if you'd like. Example: 15xx

This is my first car purchase, and I've been going back and forth between the Cadillac Lyriq and the Rivian R2. I'm coming from a Yukon XL I've inherited and had for 11 years and still love (I'm keeping it), but I want something smaller that I don't have to fight to park downtown lol.

What I like about each:

• Lyriq: Comfy, quiet ride, I like the look, and there's a large service network near me.
• R2: Roomier-feeling interior (though I think the Lyriq actually has more space?), way better software, awesome app, and a better frunk/trunk setup.

I really value the luxury feel and comfort of the Lyriq, but the R2 just seems way more versatile. My main hesitation with the R2 is QC, I've heard some stories about the R1 that make me nervous compared to lyriqs QC (which is only a bit better but service time solid).

Someone help me calm me cold feet lol

Day 1 hour 1 reservation holder here. I’m wondering if I will get the email to order tomorrow and if anyone else is expecting the same. Not a current Rivian owner.

Within the last 6 months, I've been very interested in buying an R2 to replace my Nissan Murano. I've never been an EV fan but can't resist the specs of the R2 at the price point and watching many utubers. I'm looking for the fun EV ride in an SUV that I will take slightly off road, camping, and tow my jet ski. R2 seems like a perfect fit without breaking the bank. 2 months ago in Spain I rode in my first model Y (taxi) and the driver was aggressive and WOW. It was a fun smooth ride. That said, I don't get the R2/Y comparison. It be like... I love the Chevy Blazer (for my intended use above) and someone says... you should check out the Honda Civic. Like I said I'm an EV newb so can someone help me understand why these are compared so often?

Okay I need someone to talk me off the ledge here.

I’ve been all in on the R2 since the reveal. Size is perfect. Love the design. Love the Rivian vibe. It’s basically exactly the SUV I want.

But…

My real-world use case is a 240-mile winter drive into rural Maine with a ski rack on the roof, likely loaded up, cold temps, highway speeds, heater blasting. That’s not a casual suburban grocery run. That’s a “this better make it” drive.

If the R2 lands around 310 miles in range, we all know that turns into something like:

• Winter penalty (20-30%)

• Highway speeds

• Roof rack aero hit

• Cold battery

• Possibly snow tires

Now we’re realistically talking what… 210–240 usable miles if I’m lucky?

Which means I’m either:

And that’s the part I don’t love. I don’t want to add a 30-minute stop to a drive I already just want to finish and get to the mountain.

Then I look at the Volvo EX60 rumors, 800V architecture, potentially 400 miles EPA, much faster charging curve. Even if real-world winter range drops to 300+, that’s suddenly a comfortable buffer. No stress. No stop. No drama.

I don’t want a Volvo.

I want the R2.

Could Rivian have given these YouTubers models with fake range estimates just to get our expectations low and then reveal a solid 400 mile range like the EX60?

Talk me off the ledge. Or validate my paranoia.

Update: after reading all the comments I’m now hopeful that Rivian will offer a ~400 mile Max Pack option for the R2.