Glowing Reviews of Exciting Rivian R2 Prototype Flooding the Web

On February 10, 2026, Rivian released images of its exciting new R2 prototype on the Rivian Linkedin account. The post said:

“The wait is almost over. The first R2 variant, featuring dual motors and all-wheel drive, launches this spring. We’ll be sharing full details—pricing, options and more—on March 12. That’s just 4 weeks and 2 days from today. But who’s counting? *Prototype vehicles shown. Final design, equipment and accessories for actual production vehicle may differ.”

Greg Revelle, Chief Customer Officer at Rivian, posted to his LinkedIn account:

“Big milestone for the team at Rivian today. Embargo lifted on our first R2 media drives, and the early coverage is encouraging – not just for what it says about the vehicle, but for what it means for customers. I also had the chance to personally drive one of these pre‑production vehicles, and it was awesome. I can see exactly why the press is so excited about it.

Across outlets like AutoFocus (MKBHD), Doug DeMuro, JerryRigEverything, Car and Driver, MotorTrend, InsideEVs, TopGear and others, a few themes keep showing up. R2 delivers serious performance and capability in a more attainable package, with dual‑motor prototypes being quoted at around 656 hp, 0–60 in about 3.6 seconds and 300+ miles of range. It still feels like a real adventure SUV, not a watered‑down version of R1 – confident off‑road, composed on‑road and very usable day to day.

Our software and in‑vehicle experience are getting a lot of attention too, with several reviews calling out how different the new platform and OTA updates feel in real use. The new Halo steering wheel is one small example: it brings key controls under your thumbs and makes the car feel even more connected and responsive.

Most of all, thank you to the many thousands of people who have been heads‑down on R2 for the last several years. Building cars is really hard.

Hands down, the best part of this new role has been meeting and working with so many of you. Today’s coverage is a reflection of that effort, and of the journalists and creators who told the story so well. On to launch.”

Reviewers Gush about R2

Automotive and EV reviewers are calling it the sweet spot of the EV market. Here are few of the highlights:

⚡Doug DeMuro : “Think of it as the R1 introduced Rivian to the world, and now the R2 vastly expands Rivian availability to many more people.”

⚡MotorTrend Group: “The R2 is the definitive answer to the ‘one-car solution’ question. It handles with a nimbleness the R1S can’t match, while retaining that rugged, go-anywhere soul. The software remains the gold standard in the industry.”

⚡Car and Driver Magazine : “The R2 positively leaps off the line… It’s 90% of the R1 experience for roughly half the price. This isn’t just a win for Rivian; it’s a win for anyone who wants an EV that doesn’t feel like a rolling appliance.”

⚡InsideEVs : “The R2’s size is much more my jam… capable, comfortable, roomy without being too big. It’s 90% of what makes the R1 great at half the cost.”

⚡Top Gear Publishing : “A chunky electric SUV with an unexpectedly strong handling game… useful without being utilitarian.”

Rivian, a Growing and Exciting EV Maker, Releases R2 Prototype for Review

Jason Barlow at Top Gear wrote a review of the R2. Below is a summary of what Barlow said.

Founded in 2009 by RJ Scaringe, Rivian survived Covid, supply-chain chaos, and the chip crisis to launch its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV in 2021 to widespread acclaim. In quad-motor form, those flagships now deliver up to 1,025bhp. Rivian’s software prowess has been just as impressive, prompting Volkswagen Group in 2024 to announce plans for a joint venture and investment reportedly worth $5.8bn. Markets reacted euphorically, though Rivian’s share price has remained volatile. The arrival of the R2 is intended to change that.

The logic is simple. The R2 is a true heartland vehicle, not just for the US but crucially for Europe too. Rivian is preparing to cross the Atlantic, navigating regulatory hurdles and infrastructure challenges with help from VW’s experience, while also building a new factory. The R2 promises the same Rivian ethos as the R1, but at roughly half the price, broadening its appeal. “Adventure forever” remains the mantra, and Scaringe’s admiration for Apple’s ecosystem thinking shows: Rivian doesn’t just build cars, but tents, torches, and even portable kitchens to match.

The R2 itself is practical without feeling utilitarian. Built from durable, sustainable materials, it looks purposeful with big wheels and strong proportions, and offers serious off-road capability even if it isn’t class-leading. TG.com sampled a pre-production dual-motor Performance version in California.

Smaller and narrower than the R1, the R2 weighs 2,250kg and switches to a unibody structure rather than a ladder frame. That makes it 22 percent stiffer, lowers the centre of gravity, and integrates the battery as a structural element for both rigidity and crash protection. Battery details are still under wraps, but Rivian is targeting a 300-mile EPA range, suggesting a pack of around 90kWh. It runs on a 450-volt architecture, supports vehicle-to-load, and should charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes at up to 200kW.

Manufacturing simplification is a major theme. ECUs are reduced from 17 to seven, bundled into what Rivian calls the “tree house,” which integrates control units and battery management into a single, service-friendly module. Wiring has been cut by roughly a mile and a half. Power comes from two permanent-magnet motors producing 656bhp, with a single-motor version arriving in 2027. US pricing will start around $45,000.

Unsurprisingly, the R2 is deeply tech-driven. Rivian controls the full hardware-to-software stack in-house, enabling frequent over-the-air updates and advanced autonomous features. The system is AI-ready, and updates typically arrive every four to six weeks. A new in-house voice assistant uses large language models to handle everything from climate control to contextual information and calendar management.

Visually, the R2 is immediately likeable. Measuring 4.7m long and 1.7m tall, it sits in Model Y territory but avoids aggressive styling trends. The evolved light signature looks friendly rather than hostile, visibility is excellent, and the clean two-box shape aids both stance and interior space. European pedestrian safety rules have shaped details like the bonnet line, which doubles as a defining design feature and helps deliver a class-leading frunk.

Inside, the layout echoes the R1 with slightly less premium materials and a reworked vertical touchscreen positioned close to the driver. Storage is generous, with two large gloveboxes, though burying mirror and steering adjustments in the screen remains frustrating. Rivian has responded with new haptic control wheels on the steering wheel for climate and infotainment, a clever idea that still needs refinement.

On the road, the R2 impresses. It’s smooth, refined, and surprisingly agile for a chunky electric SUV. Semi-active dampers, generous wheel travel, and a rear-biased torque split give it composure and genuine engagement. The front axle disconnects in normal driving, enhancing efficiency and feel. Steering is still being fine-tuned, but the result is confident and natural, closer to a well-sorted Defender than a typical American SUV.

Performance is brisk rather than brutal. Zero to 60mph takes 3.6 seconds, but power delivery is progressive and usable, especially for overtaking. Braking is less convincing, particularly with reduced regeneration, though one-pedal driving suits the car well. Off-road, torque vectoring and axle articulation make light work of technical terrain.

The bigger picture is what matters most. Rivian’s reputation has been built on software, but the R2 shows it can engineer a genuinely rewarding vehicle too. If this is the car that stabilises the company and anchors its European ambitions, Rivian’s next chapter looks far more secure.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Hard to Contain the Rivian Excitement! See Rivian Climate Video

At EVinfo.net, Rivian is one of our favorite EV companies. Therefore, we are beyond excited to share this news. Congrats to the Rivian team, we can’t wait to see what’s next!

As Rivian grows, competitor Tesla keeps declining under a bad CEO. Tesla’s profit dropped 46% year over year in 2025. The word “sustainable” was dropped from Tesla’s mission statement in December 2025.

In 2025, Rivian’s video about the harmful effects of global human-caused climate change, “Our Only Home,” won three gold awards and two silver awards at the Telly awards.

In 2024, EVinfo.net was proud to release a story about the compelling and informative video. Robert Joseph “RJ” Scaringe, the founder and CEO of Rivian, created a timely video discussing the urgent threat of global climate change, and the vital role electric vehicles (EVs) play in combating it. As both an engineer and entrepreneur, Scaringe brings scientific insight and a deep passion for innovation to this critical conversation.

As a lifelong environmentalist, I was drawn to EVs at first for the EV’s superior environmental qualities. In my sustainability section, there are many studies proving that battery electric vehicles are the most eco-friendly vehicle. On top of that, EVs are the most cost-effective vehicle as well.

Go Rivian Go!! Try a Rivian test drive today.