Rivian's Midsize Electric SUV Faces Ultimate Performance Test: Does the R2 Deliver?

The highly anticipated 2027 Rivian R2 midsize electric SUV has been put to the test, aiming to determine if it lives up to the high expectations set by Rivian's previous successes. Rivian, a relatively new automaker, has quickly established itself with the R1T pickup winning the 2022 Truck of the Year and the R1S SUV reaching the finalist round for 2023 SUV of the Year. The R2 was expected to carry on this legacy of excellence, offering a more approachable price point while maintaining flagship-level performance.

Currently, the Rivian R2 is offered in a top-spec Performance trim, boasting a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that delivers a robust 656 hp and 609 lb-ft of torque. Future plans include expanding the R2 lineup with a single-motor variant producing 350 hp and a less powerful dual-motor AWD model with 450 hp. Our testing revealed the R2 Performance is exceptionally quick off the line, achieving 0–60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, two ticks faster than Rivian's claim of 3.6 seconds. It completed the quarter mile in a blistering 11.3 seconds at 128.6 mph. To put this in perspective, the more expensive Porsche Macan GTS Electric was only marginally quicker to 60 mph at 3.3 seconds but trailed the R2 in the quarter mile, taking 11.6 seconds at a slower 121.1 mph.

Despite its nearly 5,000-pound weight, the Rivian R2 Performance proves to be remarkably enjoyable and maneuverable on twisty roads, akin to a 'R1S lite'. It features direct-feeling steering and an agreeable front end, allowing for spirited driving despite its boxy SUV form factor. The vehicle exhibits controlled body roll during challenging turns at speed, and its eager throttle allows for powerful exits from corners, enhancing the sense of excitement.

While its handling is commendable on the test track, braking performance presented some notable aspects. Hard, straight-line braking results in noticeable body dive, though this is not problematic unless ABS is activated. During the figure-eight test, which evaluates at-the-limit performance, the R2 excelled in acceleration and cornering. However, after a couple of laps, the brakes began sticking in corners following hard deceleration, a phenomenon suspected to be a software issue related to its ABS programming. This issue likely prevented the R2 from achieving a quicker lap time than 25.9 seconds. For comparison, the Macan GTS Electric completed the figure eight in 23.6 seconds, and the Cadillac Optiq-V, closer in price and performance, managed 24.6 seconds.

In panic braking tests, the R2 Performance achieved a 60–0-mph stopping distance of 123 feet. While decent, this distance is not considered outstanding for a sporty SUV. The Optiq-V, for instance, stopped in a much shorter 101 feet, which is more in line with expectations for such a model. The Macan GTS Electric led the pack with an impressive stopping distance of 99 feet. It is suspected that the 2027 Rivian R2 Performance's Pirelli Scorpion MS tires may have contributed to its less-than-stellar braking and figure-eight performance. Future evaluations with stickier tires and potential software updates for the braking system could yield improved results.