Rivian R2 vs Ford Mach-E

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

They don't seem interested in doing so either, at least last time I asked. According to them, it "doesn't seem to be a thing a lot of people are asking for." They have left software updates as a thing of the past, haven't had any decent one in several months.

I'd consider that a pro for Rivian or a con for Ford then. How they are treating their infotainment system tells you how each company approaches their EVs. Rivian is thinking, how can we make this better. They listen to criticism, and though they haven't figured out their quality control issues, it's not due to lack of trying, its lack of experience and capital restraints. You can tell they care when they are listening to their base and adding things to their infotainment or car models as quickly as they are able and seem to backtrack almost immediately if they make a mistake and try to correct it. Ford, well, from my experience from the sales rep, they seem to lack interest in EVs when their sales rep doesn't know the terms NACs and Regen. Their lack of updating their software also says something about the company as well.

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[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Apples and Oranges ... not the same class of vehicle for a valid comparison! The R2 is an SUV. The Mach E is a crossover.

Don't think that matters. It's "Do I want an apple? Or do I want an orange? What am I in the mood for." In that case you're just comparing your current needs in which yeah, you'll compare them.

 

[mkhuffman]

Can you transfer a reservation to someone else? Its highly unlikely that i will use mine and I got in very early, within 2 minutes of the reservations opening up

I am in the same situation. I just got the reservation to give Rivian a boost when R2 reservations went live. I can't remember how early I was, not in the first two minutes, but definitely early. Would love to have someone take over my spot who really plans to get one.

 

[Throwdown]

I am in the same situation. I just got the reservation to give Rivian a boost when R2 reservations went live. I can't remember how early I was, not in the first two minutes, but definitely early. Would love to have someone take over my spot who really plans to get one.

I genuinely wanted one, I had a launch edition T that I wanted to be my only vehicle, but after 30k miles of commuting in a year I decided I didn't want such a large daily driver. I was all in on R2 but I wanted an 800v car, I could get it for the wife as she only commutes, but she will need a car long before it drops.

 

[Jock Mahoney]

The Mach E Rally is probably more of a closer comparison, which i'm interested in as well as the R2. It seems to have some off road chops as opposed to the run of the mill Mach E.

 

[ATLRivvy]

I’m not convinced the R2 and Mach E/Model Y are actually that comparable. I did plenty of car camping in my Mach E’s, but the R2 will be on another level. Nearly double the ground clearance (the Mach E has less than an actual v8 gas mustang) and waaaaaay more usable room inside the vehicle. It has power outlets, accessory ports, and is designed for roof top tents. The Mach E is not, nor are the other comparable vehicles. For someone who wants a city vehicle, sure, they’re closer in comparison. If you have any desire to take it to the woods, the R2 should be a far superior option.

Ooooor you could just get an R1 now…

This is all true but it really doesnt matter. 95% of R2s will never leave pavement, just like the current R1S. The Mach-E/Model Y/R2 will be cross-shopped heavily.

I live in a neighborhood now filled with R1S owners - they pretty much all replaced a Range Rover/Cayenne/XC90 type of car. None of them (including my own) will ever be car camped and off-roading will be limited to a few mountain gravel roads here and there,

 

[ATLRivvy]

The Model Y is in the same category as the Mach E. Neither are SUVs like the R2 is supposed to be. And just like the Jeep Wagoneer S, I cannot attach a ski rack to the roof, nor put a bike rack on a rear hitch, tow a trailer, nor go off road because there is insufficient ground clearance. The Jeep Recon, if it ever comes out of production, will directly compete with the R2 in the SUV category.

If the R2 isnt cross-shopped with the Model Y/Mach-E then Rivian will be out of business fast. The vast majority of buyers will be people who never leave pavement.

 

[Mathme]

It's way too early to make a firm decision on the R2. As others have said, plop down the refundable $100 and get in line as that's about all you can do until the R2 actually is on sale and you can do a test drive, compare options, and such. Until then, you can wait and dream...

 

[mkhuffman]

I genuinely wanted one, I had a launch edition T that I wanted to be my only vehicle, but after 30k miles of commuting in a year I decided I didn't want such a large daily driver. I was all in on R2 but I wanted an 800v car, I could get it for the wife as she only commutes, but she will need a car long before it drops.

My previous strong desire for a 800V vehicle has been diminished somewhat since experiencing the new DCFC charging curve released a couple OTAs ago.

I can now charge 10-80% in less than 40 minutes, which is totally livable. If they can get that kind of charging performance in the R2, it will be less than 30 minutes. Sure, you could save 10 minutes at 800V, but the difference isn't significant IMO. At least for how I travel anyway.

@Great Gatsby - I traded my MME in for a R1T, and there are two things that really drove me to get rid of the MME. 1) Range. 2) DCFC charging speed. I expect both will be significantly better in the R2, (time will tell), and if those bother you like they bothered me, it is time for a R2.

The MME is a great car, as long as you don't care about highway traveling.

 

[R1Yes]

The software difference would be night and day...Rivian will improve/add features over time while Mustang will not. I've yet to drive a Mach E but when comparing the Lyriq to the Rivian it's no comparison, the Lyriq just feels like the UI is all over the place and the screens are tiny/resolution sucks

Our '23 Mach-E still gets software updates, some of them adding nice new features or improving existing ones. They're definitely not Rivian-level updates, but the Mach-E also didn't have as many glaring issues right off the lot, either—a benefit, for now, of coming from an established car company. That said, I agree that the Mach-E is largely set, while the R2 should get regular updates for years. (I haven't driven a Lyriq, but I really like the Mach-E screen setup. In general, I prefer the vertical screen, which puts everything in easy reach of the driver.)


As for the OP’s post: As others have said, the R2 will be a small SUV while the Mach-E is a crossover. The Mach-E does have pretty good ride height and seating position for a car, but the R2 will be noticeably more upright. If you want an SUV, you’ll probably be happier with the R2; if you think you want a crossover, wait and see. Pay the $100 and test drive when it’s available


That said, some comments after living with a ’23 Mach-E for almost 3 years and a ’25 Gen2 Dual Performance for about a year:

• If the R1 is any indication, the R2 will be dramatically better off-road, but also just driving in snow, etc., despite the Mach-E having AWD.
• As others have said, the R2 will have more interior room and storage, though the Mach-E has a surprising amount of space for its size.
• If the R2 has the Gen2 R1 adaptive brights (please please please), they’re incredible.
• The R2 should have better cameras, better “smart” features, and just all-around more-advanced stuff. And it will continue to get better over time.
• The R2 should have faster charging.

• I can get a Mach-E service appointment in a couple days and have my car back the same day or (if it’s serious) the next day or two. If they need to order a part, they give me the car back and call me when the part is in. We’ve had three Rivian service appointments; each took 3 months to get, and the first two the vehicle was in the shop for 3-4 weeks, mostly sitting in a lot. (Our next appointment is coming up.) That said, Rivian is improving the service experience, and in high-Rivian-ownership areas like the Bay Area we’re starting to see appointment times shorter than 3 months out. They’re also opening a few new Service Centers here, so the hope is that by the time the R2 comes out, things are a lot better.
• “Better infotainment” isn’t as clear-cut for some of us. Not trying to dredge up the CarPlay debate again, but on the Mach-E, I use CarPlay 99% of the time (since HVAC controls are always accessible), and right now, with the features we have today, I find the actual infotainment-related driving experience better in the Mach-E. Apple Maps, Waze, etc. are far better than Rivian’s nav, even after the recent Google Maps update. (I have to use my phone on road trips because I can’t rely on the built-in nav.) I can also use many hands-free features Rivian doesn’t have, plus I can use things like my favorite podcast app, the MLB app, the Sirius app (which has many more stations), etc.
• Blue Cruise is currently better than Enhanced Highway Assist. It feels safer, lane changes are smoother, it disconnects less—it’s just a better experience. BUT Rivian’s system is improving steadily, and I expect the R2 to have better hardware than the Mach-E, so by the time the R2 debuts, <fingers crossed> Rivian’s should be superior.
• Mach-E premium audio is better than the “Premium” audio in our Gen2. I hope the R2 offers a premium system that’s better.
• The Mach-E’s build quality is much better. Everything feels more solid, from the exterior panels to the fit of doors to the lack of rattles when driving. I chalk this up to Rivian being a brand-new company still learning how to make cars (and using thinner panels to reduce weight on such a huge truck). So I expect it to get better by the time the R2 rolls out.
• The Mach-E has a sunglasses holder
  
  
  (Aside: I find it interesting that the OP’s range is only 220. We have a Premium Extended Range and we regularly get close to 300, even on road trips.)

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

One is a Swiss Army knife (and multi-tool), the other is a butter knife. Aside from price, size and aesthetics I don't see any reason to cross shop the two? The multi-purpose nature of Rivian's product approach is the core strength of the brand. Nearly all other options are pavement focused soft-roaders.

 

[mkhuffman]

• The Mach-E has a sunglasses holder

I agree with your assessment, but...

(Aside: I find it interesting that the OP’s range is only 220. We have a Premium Extended Range and we regularly get close to 300, even on road trips.)

My MME GT highway range was 220 miles best case in the summer. In the winter, I was lucky to get 180 miles. I do quite a bit of highway driving, so that was hard to deal with sometimes. Especially with how public charging still sucks. (Although it is getting better.)

 

[LeftMySoulinNM]

Apples and Oranges ... not the same class of vehicle for a valid comparison! The R2 is an SUV. The Mach E is a crossover.

It’s also quite ugly. Try as I may to like it, I just cannot.

 

[ATLRivvy]

One is a Swiss Army knife (and multi-tool), the other is a butter knife. Aside from price, size and aesthetics I don't see any reason to cross shop the two? The multi-purpose nature of Rivian's product approach is the core strength of the brand. Nearly all other options are pavement focused soft-roaders.

Again.. it will 100% be cross-shopped and we better hope it is because otherwise Rivian will go out of business. 90%+ of R1S owners never take their car off-road and the same will be true of the R2. Just like almost no G-wagons will ever see the Desert terrain they were designed to handle.

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