RIVIANR2 2024 - Present

　　Rivian unveiled its mid-size crossover R2 for the 2026 model year in 2024, a vehicle created on a new platform but following the same design language as the R1S SUV, which has been on sale since 2012.

　　The American automaker was already famous for its R1S SUV and the R1T pickup that it produced. They were already considered benchmarks in the industry for their abilities and unique features. As a result, when Rivian announced that it would build a smaller SUV, customers were eager to see it. The final product was unveiled in March 2024 along with its siblings, the R3 and the R3X. The new R2 was created as a two-row SUV that promised enough power and room to make a family of five feel comfortable on the road. Moreover, it was designed to be a daily driver and an excellent camping companion. Its interior and exterior features were clever, and the new drivetrain and battery options were promising.

　　From the front side, some wouldn’t need a badge to know that it was a Rivian. The horizontal LED lightbar and the oval-shaped headlights with integrated DRLs were specific to the brand. Rivian didn’t install any upper grille since the R2 didn’t require one. Instead, it placed a lower air intake integrated into the bumper. In addition, the automaker added a pair of tow hooks specific for off-road vehicles.

　　From its profile, the two-box bodywork resembled the R1S. Its flat hood that concealed a frunk was followed by a raked windshield and a greenhouse extended to the back with a flat, horizontal roof. At the back, a roof spoiler concealed a slight gap that allowed airflow to go behind the vehicle and reduce turbulence while driving, lowering drag resistance. Black moldings adorned the slightly flared wheel arches. The thick and black side sills gave the SUV the impression of a higher ground clearance. Thanks to the body-colored C-pillars behind the rear doors, the R2 looked more like a shooting brake. Surprisingly for an SUV, the R2 featured pop-out rearmost quarter windows, which were electrically operated and allowed users to vent the cabin while driving. Furthermore, the rear window that was integrated into the tailgate could roll down.

　　Inside, Rivian prepared other surprises for its customers. At the front, the driver fronted a steering wheel that featured two rollers integrated into the horizontal spokes. These had haptic feedback and controlled the infotainment system and the data displayed on the screen that fronted the driver. Atop the center stack, the automaker placed a large touchscreen for the infotainment system. Under the dashboard, the R2 featured two glove boxes that opened independently. Out back, the automaker installed a split-folding (40/20/40) bench seat for three adults. All the seats, including the driver’s, could fold down completely flat. As a result, the car could be converted into a sleeping area for camping. To create an even better experience, the R2 featured a panoramic glass roof.

　　Rivian provided the 4.72 mm (15.5 ft) long vehicle with either one, two, or three motors. The former was a rear-wheel drive, while the other two were all-wheel driven. The three-motor setup featured one for the front axle and two for the rear one. Rivian claimed that the most potent one could rocket from zero to 60 mph (0-97 kph) in less than three seconds. All three versions were fed by a choice of battery packs where the largest capacity allowed the vehicle to travel over 300 miles (482 km) on a single charge.

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