Five time Tesla owner's R2 demo drive thoughts

[NinjaWrap]

Five time Tesla owner, currently 2024 Cyberbeast and 2025 Y RWD, and drove the R2 today. I had a checklist of things I specifically wanted to check out.

• Autonomy/UHF - definitely not FSD but better than using Autopilot so that’s good enough for now in its current state
• Acceleration - no sudden jump from 0 like Teslas and definitely not violently quick to 60 like my Cyberbeast but that acceleration from 50 is amazing
• Sound - kinda sad coming from Teslas the past 8 years but once you adjust the settings it’s totally acceptable at low to mid volume
• Map responsiveness - perfect, no lag
• Steering wheel vs screen - I’m 5’9” and with the steering wheel low like I like it the screen was in perfect view
• Halo wheels - will take getting used to but they feel great to me
• AC/seats/roof roof heat was fine even though it was reading 100° outside and the seats are way cooler than Tesla. They are loud.
• Charging pad - LOVE that it has MagSafe. It doesn’t move at all!
• Cup holders - hold a large cup fine. Hopefully these don’t get loose over time.
• Glove boxes - wish at least one was screen controlled and locked with PIN
• Rear window - perfect. No trouble first press.
• Rear hatch - much better than our Y
• Frunk - wish it was powered but at least it opens on its own unlike Tesla (except Cybertruck)

here’s a quick overview reel

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[Jeremy3292]

Thanks goodness it has the 20” wheels. Can’t wait to test drive Wednesday.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I felt like a new driver at first without steering by wire. Haven’t driven anything except Cybertruck other than wife’s Y in my driveway in over a year.

 

[Condor]

I've been wondering about the glovebox's and the ability to PIN lock. Is that something that can be added via software update later or is there no locking mechanism present at all?

 

[NinjaWrap]

I've been wondering about the glovebox's and the ability to PIN lock. Is that something that can be added via software update later or is there no locking mechanism present at all?

Not sure. Didn’t think to ask after the drive.

 

[NinjaWrap]

Funny part is we were the last drive and the guy ends up telling us he’s heading to Asheville after he gets some food. We also left to get food. After we ate, we ended up getting on the highway directly in front of him in the R2 (the clip of him passing at the end) and were either behind or in front of him the entire way to Asheville. We could have just met him up here to drive

 

[a9967]

I've been wondering about the glovebox's and the ability to PIN lock. Is that something that can be added via software update later or is there no locking mechanism present at all?

There is an electronic latch on each glovebox. You can hear the actuator when you open them if you listen closely. Given how aggressive Rivian has been about cutting out anything unnecessary on the R2, I'm certain there will be an update with locking options.

 

[Lysdexic]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the effort to edit and post a video. Assuming that you have a company that does wraps are you going to get an R2 as company vehicle?

 

[NinjaWrap]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the effort to edit and post a video. Assuming that you have a company that does wraps are you going to get an R2 as company vehicle?

I do wrap design on the side for wrap shops or whoever. My R2 won't be a company vehicle (technically) but will have a very unique wrap - totally different style from my current Cybertruck wrap.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I always have Brian at i1Customs in Mooresville do my personal wraps (and tint)

 

[Lysdexic]

I always have Brian at i1Customs in Mooresville do my personal wraps (and tint)

Good info as that is here in town. Thanks

Edit: I had Sunstoppers in Cornelius do the stealth wrap on my ‘22 R1T and felt they/he did a great job. I just googled i1Customs and it lists “Sunstoppers” in the name. I wonder if it is the same guy.

 

[NinjaWrap]

Good info as that is here in town. Thanks

Edit: I had Sunstoppers in Cornelius do the stealth wrap on my ‘22 R1T and felt they/he did a great job. I just googled i1Customs and it lists “Sunstoppers” in the name. I wonder if it is the same guy.

Sunstoppers has multiple locations - that one being inside i1Customs. Andrew does tint and PPF at Brian's shop now. He used to be at the Cornelius/Lake Norman location before they closed for a while due to fire. He did our Model Y in stealth XPel several years ago when he was in Cornelius and it was perfect.

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