The Rivian R2 has been officially unveiled, and despite a scheduled release for 2026, the EV startup has shared plenty of initial details about the two-row electric crossover. These details position it as a bonafide Tesla Model Y rival on paper.
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The question is, if it ends up being everything Rivian says it will be, which of the two would you plop down your cash for in two year’s time?
The big details about the Rivian R2 had leaked ahead of the debut, but they’re all confirmed now. It’ll come in tri-motor, dual-motor, and single-motor layouts. Rivian didn’t release every battery pack detail, but it says that the R2 will offer at least 300 miles (483 km) of range across all trims. Moreover, at least one version will accelerate from 0-60 mph in “well under 3 seconds”. On paper, each of those claims represents a victory over one or another Tesla Model Y.
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More: New Rivian R3 And R3X Promise To Combine Affordability With 300+ Mile Range
For example, the flagship $52,490 (all prices before any tax-credits) Tesla Model Y Performance does 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in a claimed 3.5 seconds with rollout subtracted. It has a range estimate of just 279 miles (449 km) for that performance model too. One version, the $48,990 Long Range, does get up to 310 miles (498 km) of range per charge, but it can only do 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.8 seconds.
Notably, we don’t expect the fastest version of the R2 to cost just $45,000 though. As for the Model Y, the most affordable version right now is the RWD variant priced at $43,990 offering a 260-mile (418 km) range, 135 mph (217 km/h) top speed and a 0-60mph (96 km/h) in 6.6 seconds.
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For all of the details that look similar on paper, these two crossovers appear to aim at different buyers. The Tesla is sleek and looks at home in an urban environment. The Rivian goes for a more off-road and rugged aesthetic. The interiors push the divide even further apart. While the Model Y is minimalistic, the R2 is more traditional. Some reports indicate that the R2’s cabin might be superior to the Model Y’s as well, but without seeing a final production model, we can’t make a conclusive judgment.
A few important factors to consider are Tesla’s tendency to continuously adjust prices, along with the expectation that a facelifted version of the Model Y with potentially enhanced specifications, range, and performance figures will most certainly be introduced by the time the R2 becomes available.
But for the sake of conversation and assuming that the base version of the R2 does end up costing right about $45k, which of these two all-electric crossovers would you pick? We know that many wouldn’t go for either, but if these were the only two cars left on the planet, which would be your choice? Vote in the poll below and tell us why in the comments!