2027 Rivian R2 Performance First Drive- When Smaller is a Big Deal.

2027 Rivian R2 Performance First Drive- When Smaller is a Big Deal. Driven Car Reviews · Jul 9, 2026

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Car

Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 is Rivian’s electric SUV. In this part of the episode, they talk about the performance version, how much range it’s rated for, and the battery size—so you get a sense of what it’s like to live with and drive.

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dual-motor performance setup

“Dual-motor” means the car has two electric motors working together. That usually helps the car launch hard and grip the road better, and here it’s the version producing the big power numbers.

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EPA rated

“EPA rated” is the official U.S. test used to estimate how far an EV can go on a full charge. Your real range may be different, but it’s the same kind of test for comparing cars.

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battery pack

The battery pack is the big rechargeable battery inside the EV. Here, Rivian says every R2 uses the same battery size (87.9 kWh), which helps explain why the range ratings are similar across trims.

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87.9 kilowatt-hours

“Kilowatt-hours” (kWh) is a way to measure how much energy the battery can store. More kWh usually means you can go farther, but how you drive and the car’s efficiency still matter.

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front trunk

A front trunk is extra storage up front. Since EVs don’t have a conventional engine sitting there, manufacturers can use that space for luggage or groceries.

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soft close

“Soft close” means the hatch or door doesn’t slam shut. Instead, it guides itself closed smoothly and gently at the end.

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compact spare

A compact spare is a smaller temporary spare tire. It’s meant to help you drive a limited distance after a flat until you can get the main tire repaired or replaced.

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1500 watt capable

“1500 watts capable” tells you how much power the car’s outlet can supply. That helps you judge what kinds of devices you can run from it safely.

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12-volt

Even though the car is electric, it still has a 12-volt electrical system for everyday electronics like lights and screens. Here they’re pointing out a 12-volt power source for accessories.

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one touch raise

One-touch raise means you can open or close a window with just one tap, without holding the button. It’s a convenience feature that helps you quickly adjust airflow.

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gauge cluster

The gauge cluster is the screen or panel behind the steering wheel that shows your key driving info like speed and battery status. The host is saying Rivian’s version is good.

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hard controls

Hard controls are the physical buttons and knobs in a car. The host is saying the R2 uses fewer physical controls and relies more on the screen to adjust settings.

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flat floors

Flat floors mean the area where your feet and storage sit is mostly level, not bumpy. The host likes it because it makes it easier to store bags and keep them from moving around.

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Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay lets you connect an iPhone to your car so you can use certain apps on the car’s screen. The host is saying Rivian doesn’t support CarPlay in this setup.

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Android Auto

Android Auto is a way to connect your Android phone to a car so you can use certain apps on the car’s screen. The host is saying Rivian doesn’t support that feature in this car.

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ride quality

Ride quality is how comfortable the car feels when the road is rough. The host is saying the R2 feels smooth and not too bouncy.

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steering is a little on the light side

“Light” steering feel means the steering effort is low, so the wheel doesn’t require much force to turn. The host also compares it to a “trucky” feel, suggesting the R2’s steering weight and response are tuned more for easy maneuvering than for heavy, sporty feedback.

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regen

Regen is the way an electric car slows down and recharges its battery when you lift off the gas. It can make the car feel like it brakes more by itself.

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one pedal driving

One pedal driving is an EV driving style where lifting off the accelerator provides enough deceleration that you can do most slowing without using the brake pedal. The host notes the R2’s regen behavior makes it work well if you like that style, but could be an issue if you prefer coasting or lighter lift-off deceleration.

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physical disc brakes

Physical disc brakes are the conventional brake system that uses brake pads clamping onto rotors to create friction and slow the vehicle. The host contrasts them with regen to explain what happens when you press the brake pedal on the Rivian R2.

Car

Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a big SUV. The host compares it to the Rivian R2 to show that the R2 is easier to live with in the city while still fitting five people.

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charge speed

Charge speed is how fast the car can recharge at a charging station. Faster charge speed usually means less time waiting during road trips.

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CCS

CCS is a common type of fast-charging plug for many electric cars. The host is saying this car isn’t using the CCS standard.

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Nax

Nax is the charging setup the host says the car uses instead of CCS. The exact meaning (what plug/network it is) isn’t fully explained in this snippet.

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level one charging

Level 1 charging is the slow way to charge an EV at home using a normal outlet. It’s fine if you don’t drive far each day and can plug it in overnight.

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level two charging

Level 2 charging is the faster home charging option that usually needs a special charger installed. It helps if you need to recharge more quickly than overnight outlet charging.

Car

Cadillac Lyric

The Cadillac Lyriq is an electric SUV, so it uses a battery and an electric motor instead of a gas engine. The podcast mentions how it accelerates and that only some versions are available at the time of the discussion. That’s important because it affects what you can buy and what kind of driving performance you’ll get.

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dual motor all wheel drive

Dual motor all-wheel drive means the car has two electric motors and can send power to all four wheels. That can make it grip better and feel quicker, especially when accelerating.

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DC fast charging

DC fast charging is the quick-charging method for EVs. It can refill the battery much faster than home charging, especially on road trips.

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ground clearance

Ground clearance is how much space the car has between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle. More clearance helps when roads are bumpy or uneven.

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semi-active suspension

Semi-active suspension is a suspension system that can adjust how stiff or soft the ride feels. The goal is to be comfortable normally but more controlled when you drive more aggressively.

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drive modes

Drive modes are presets that change how the car behaves. For example, one mode might feel smoother and efficient, while another feels more responsive.

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heated and vented seats

Heated seats warm you up, and vented seats blow air to keep you cooler. It’s a comfort feature that helps in both winter and summer.

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semi-autonomous driving package

This is a set of driver-assist features that can help with parts of driving, like staying in the lane or maintaining distance. You still have to pay attention and be ready to take control.

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tow package

A tow package is the set of parts that lets the vehicle tow a trailer. It usually includes the hitch and the wiring so the trailer lights and systems work properly.

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launch package

A launch package is an early-batch bundle of extras included with the first cars. Here, it includes special paint and towing-related equipment.

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nine speaker audio system

A nine-speaker sound system means there are nine speakers in the car. That can help the audio sound fuller and more spread out.

Car

Rivian R1

Rivian R1 is Rivian’s bigger electric-vehicle line. The host is using it as a reference point to explain that the R2 shares a similar look and vibe, just in a smaller package.

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electrochromic glass

Electrochromic glass is glass that can automatically darken or lighten at the touch of a button. The host is saying the R2’s roof doesn’t have that kind of built-in tinting or shade.

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40-20-40 split

A 40-20-40 split means the back seat is divided into three parts that fold in a specific pattern. It helps you move cargo while still keeping someone seated in the middle section.

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cargo hold

Cargo hold just means the trunk/storage space behind the back seats. The host is measuring how much stuff it can fit, first with the seats up and then with them folded down.

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retractable door handles

Retractable door handles are the kind that hide in the door and pop out when you’re near the car. The host is saying some people don’t like them, including how the door sounds when you shut it.

LIVE

The Rivian R2 is finally here and you can bop down to a Rivian showroom and test drive

one yourself, which is exactly what I'm doing here.

This is not a review, this is not a press event.

I am at the Rivian store in Bellevue, Washington and I'm going to take this out for a test drive.

This isn't my normal type of video, it's very, very different.

Here's what to expect.

First, quick walk around from Dan Lake here, then I'll mount some GoPros and go for a 15-minute

drive where I'll offer up some observations.

After that, I'll go over stuff like specs, pricing and availability.

As you might imagine, interest is high and supplies of R2s are low.

There aren't many of these bolted together right now, so if you want to test drive one,

you'll need to sign up and schedule a demo.

The dual-motor performance setup that I'm driving makes 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque.

It and the less powerful premium trim are both EPA rated at 330 miles and all R2s get the same

battery pack, sized at 87.9 kilowatt-hours.

Yeah, we have our 2027 Rivian R2 here in Glacier White.

We have the all-season 21-inch wheels on it and our tungsten wheel.

I mean, as we do a walk around here, I'll show you a little bit of how the front trunk opens up.

It's just a touch of the button right there up and then a manual close with a soft close at the end.

Decent amount of space.

Plenty. We fit some golf clubs in there the other day, which was nice.

Coming around the outside and to the rear, one touch up on the tailgate here,

just a sensor, giving way to quite a bit of space in the back

room for an awesome compact spare back here or some more storage.

And obviously a power source, 12-volt, 120, 1500 watt capable auto down as well.

And then a new feature for the Rivian line is the ability to bring down the back window.

Super fun on a hot day like today, get some airflow in there and then a one touch raise as well.

Everybody likes that.

Yeah. At this point, my mic shorted out, so to paraphrase Dan, there are two screens.

Thanks for the gauge cluster, Rivian.

R2 has a limited number of hard controls.

Stuff like the steering wheel position and mirrors are done by selecting them on the

interface screen and then making adjustments using the steering wheel controls.

There's a good amount of storage space, even though this is smaller than R1.

Flat floors are good for storing purses and backpacks.

The tray keeps them from sliding around.

Plus, there's an extra little cubby and two bins on the dashboard where most cars have one, right?

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay do not happen in Rivians, but it is possible to make calls,

send texts, and access music through your Spotify account natively using the interface.

The drive control stocks are mercifully straightforward.

Okay. Pretty straightforward.

And I'm going into this without knowing pretty much anything other than it has a lot of power.

It definitely has a lot of power.

I've heard some reports that the turn signal beep is too loud.

Okay. I don't know if that's a reason to discount the car.

All right. First impressions.

Visibility is excellent. Large windows. The ride quality is comfortable.

And the steering is a little on the light side and feels, I don't know, a little bit

trucky. I was playing with the screen here. It's very responsive. If I had to use it while

I was driving, I don't think I would have any issues. The interior looks great. Love the

natural materials. I do like the fact that there is information ahead of me. I don't like looking

over to the side. Let's see. What else? Acceleration? Acceleration is really good.

Can't really show you that now. There is a Honda in the way, but it's good. Also,

there's always regen on this. So if you like one pedal driving, then that's great. If you

don't like one pedal driving, well, then that might be an issue. I have this in the lowest

setting and when I take my foot off the throttle, it slows down fairly aggressively. And you got

to remember, Rivian does not use regen blend. If you're using the brake pedal, you're using the

physical disc brakes. Oh, you know, one thing that's really good about this, it's not huge.

It's not small, but I just came out of a Ford expedition, which was ginormous. This is big

enough so that you could put five people in it, but driving around in the city, it feels just

right. You know, it's not too big. It's not too small. Really, the size is great. As far as range

goes, this is the most powerful R2 and it's EPA rated at 330 miles. Not bad for a bolt upright SUV.

I don't know that you really need any more range than that. Some people think they do.

Typically, they don't. And the charge speed is pretty decent. Also,

Nax. It's not CCS, it's Nax.

Yep, got to get back.

Yep, got to get back. I'm the second to the last test drive. Somebody's waiting for those.

Don't scratch the car.

Very few of these bolted together right now.

And here's another Rivian. He has this thing looks so much like the R1. I don't think that

I even noticed that this is the R2.

I've hit speeds of 45, maybe 50 miles an hour. And it seems pretty quiet. I don't have time to

take this onto the freeway to check what the wind noise is like. But it's promising. I think this

is fairly quiet. I don't think it should be any problem to road trip this. And there's plenty of

space. All right, I'm pulling up next to the R1.

Okay, I got the thumbs up. Yep, two. Yes, it is the two. Nice.

He did notice. Nice.

Going to the gas station, are you? I don't have to. I'm in an electric vehicle.

Gas around here is $6.50 a gallon. And it's more if it's premium.

Electric vehicles, honestly, they can be better vehicles for some people.

And you don't really need to have level two charging. Yes, it's a lot more convenient.

But if you're only driving 30, 40 miles in a day, level one, if you charge up every night,

we'll get you back up to a full battery by morning. Really, honestly, I did it for years.

Okay, the user interface while I'm at a stoplight. Wow, this is great. Radio tuning, super easy.

I can turn Bluetooth on and off. Touch screen response is excellent. I mean, really, really good.

I like this. I would like to spend more time with it, you know, time that I don't have,

but easy to adjust regen and all. And now, oh, look at that. It's telling me, Tom,

pay attention to the traffic ahead. Good. Good for everybody around me. There's definitely

umph off the line, but it's not violence. It's just measured acceleration,

sort of like the Cadillac Lyric pricing. Well, the only version available right now

is the dual motor all wheel drive performance trim starting in the high 50 grand range,

keeping in mind that any paint other than silver is a $1,000 to $2,000 upcharge fully loaded.

You're looking at around 62 grand. The all wheel drive premium begins in the mid 50s.

That's coming in late 2026. The standard trim with rear drive begins in the $45,000 range.

Look for that in the summer of 2027 with its Naxport DC fast charging is rated at 29 minutes

from 10 to 80%. This flagship R2 performance has 9.6 inches of ground clearance. So off-roading.

Yeah, it's a thing. It comes standard with a semi-active suspension and model specific drive

modes. These are functional heated and vented seats are standard. The first run of R2 performances

get a launch package with green paint, a 4,400 pound tow package, and a lifetime subscription

to Rivian semi-autonomous driving package. I did not test that or the nine speaker audio system.

Next time. R2 clearly has the same parents as R1. In fact, I watched a few customers that were

briefly confused as to which was which kind of looks like an R1 shrunk in the dryer. I couldn't

position it to get better interior lighting, but the insides have big brother vibes as well.

Door pockets offer good storage. Natural materials are soothing. It's airy in here. It feels spacious.

The back seats, that's roomy enough for three average sized adults. The carpool crowd should

be comfortable too with bun warmers if not a separate climate zone. Yes, there are power ports.

They're located here. The big glass roof does not have a built-in shade or electrochromic glass.

Back seats are stationary. However, we do have the ability to

fold all the way down to get that flat feature. A very easy way to bring it back up as well.

And we do have the ability for a 40-20-40 split. With butts in all seats, the cargo hold measures

out at 29 cubic feet. Pretty good. Drop the backs and it's humongous just under 80 cubic feet.

And remember, the front adds another five. So R2 is quite practical. Closing with some

sniggly things, not everyone likes retractable door handles. And shutting the door sounds a

little tinny. That's my quick and dirty first look at the 2027 Rivian R2. If you're thinking

about buying an all-electric SUV, I highly suggest checking this one out because, you know,

you need to expose yourself to as many vehicles as possible. These things are not cheap. I need to

be able to get one of these for a full week so I can really shake it down. But it definitely has

promise. It has a lot of the spirit of the R1. Thanks for watching. Hey, if you're not familiar

with my normal videos, please check those out. They're much better shot. Follow me on all the

social media platforms. I'm on the big ones and the small ones. And if you have a question,

leave it in the comments. I will try to answer them, but I've only spent a little time in this

vehicle. That's Driven. If only a little bit. I'm Tom Volk.

About this episode

Rivian R2 arrives with a hands-on first drive at a Bellevue showroom—more “test drive observations” than a press event. The dual-motor Performance trim delivers 656 hp and 609 lb-ft, with 330-mile EPA range and an 87.9 kWh battery. Key takeaways: excellent visibility, comfortable ride, responsive screens, and strong measured acceleration with regen that can slow aggressively (no regen blend—braking uses physical discs). Practicality stands out with a front trunk, power ports, a power-opening rear window, and flexible cargo space. Pricing starts in the mid-$40k for RWD, with Performance around the high-$50k and NACS fast charging slated for 2027.

12 volt 40-20-40 split Android Auto Apple CarPlay battery pack cargo hold CCS charge speed compact spare DC fast charging

Cadillac Lyriq Ford Expedition Rivian R1T Rivian R2

Original notes

The wait is finally over. The all-new 2027 Rivian R2 is one of the most anticipated electric vehicles on the market, and I got behind the wheel of the flagship Dual Motor Performance model during a test drive in Bellevue, Washington.

This is not my normal video review. It's a consumer test drive much like you would take, only a lot more cameras stuck all around the vehicle.

In this first-drive review, Rivian's Dan Lake walks us through the new R2 before I hit the road for a real-world drive and share my impressions. I'll also cover pricing, range, charging, cargo space, interior features, off-road capability, and what separates R2 from its larger sibling, the R1S.

The R2 Performance packs 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, offers an EPA-estimated 330 miles of range, and starts in the high-$50,000 range. Rivian hopes this smaller, more affordable SUV will bring the brand to a much larger audience.

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