What Would Make You Dump Your R1 for an R2

[antimatter]

Thats what the R1T is. They are the almost the same size. The Rivian is only 4" longer and 7" wider.
For comparison, the Lightning is 20" longer and 8" wider.

I think the Rivian is actually a Land Rover in pickup form. Very sturdy, tending towards luxury, lots of bespoke components. I'd actually prefer something more down-market and cheaper to fix. But, my choices are limited.

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[csharp]

I think the Rivian is actually a Land Rover in pickup form. Very sturdy, tending towards luxury, lots of bespoke components. I'd actually prefer something more down-market and cheaper to fix. But, my choices are limited.

Makes sense. I'm intrigued by the Slate for that reason. Dont want one as a daily, but as a dump run, mulch pick-up sort of truck.
I came from a 2015 Colorado before my first Rivian. I loved that truck.

 

[DaveA]

The utility of an R1T is hard to beat, but if R2 suspension and build quality is better, I'll be trading in as soon as my number for R2 is called. I can rent a truck from HoDo or Lowe's for $19 if I need one for anything needing a truck bed.

 

[bronco7777]

So I currently have a 2023 R1S QUAD which provides 835HP. I love that power. While the new R2 shown in yesterday's release videos is solid at 659HP; I really want something beefier. Something that comes closer to my QUAD. It seems like the spring "Launch" version of the R2 will be the max HP possible for that car at 659; as there is no mention of the option to buy a software unlock to amplify HP. Unless you've heard differently. So can we expect to get the tri motor R2 during the fall "LIDAR" launch? Or are they going to make us wait even longer into 2027 for that tri motor? If either of the 2026 R2's (Spring "Launch" or Fall "LIDAR") can provide HP software unlock to push beyond 659HP then I'm likely to buy this year. Otherwise, I might just sit tight.

 

[RMSko]

I'm debating about trading in my R1T, but it all depends on the specs. I really want more range, so if there is a version that gets over 400 miles in all wheel drive, I would consider it. I really wish the front seats could have folded down, that would have been great for car camping. But I love the look of it, definitely think we can steal a lot of potential Model Y buyers to R2.

This - it needs more range

 

[narmstrong79]

I wouldn't say never but Rivian would probably want/need to have an offering that starts in the mid 30's price range versus Slate and Maverick to hit volume sales in that lifestyle market that seems to be quite price sensitive.

Maverick sold ~155k units in 2025 so the market size makes sense to target with the right product, although last I read Ford was supposed to be doing a BEV truck in this space, so maybe not the best market to target.

Some size comparisons I've collected.

	R2 LE	R1T	Slate	Maverick XL
Length (in)	185.6	217.1	174.6	199.7
Wheelbase (in)	115.6	135.8	108.9	121.1
Width (excl folded mirrors) (in)	75.0	79.3	70.6	72.6
Width with folded mirrors (in)		82.0
Width with side mirrors (in)	84.4	87.0
Height (inc antenna/sharkfin) (in)	66.9	78.2	69.3	68.7
Max Gnd Clearance (in)	9.8	14.9		8.6
Approach/Departure (degrees)	25/27	35.7/29.9
Ramp Breakover (degrees)	20.6
Turning Circle (ft)	39.3
Max Wheel Size (in)	32.0	34.0		28.5

I'll stick with Never, you'll see a Maverick EV or EREV before you see a small pickup in R2/R3 form. Maybe you get something from VW or another automakers that uses Rivian architecture and tech.

The next 8-10 years for Rivian is ramping R2, opening GA, launching R3 , mastering autonomy, expanding to Europe, redesign R1, roadmap R4, 5....

 

[narmstrong79]

So I currently have a 2023 R1S QUAD which provides 835HP. I love that power. While the new R2 shown in yesterday's release videos is solid at 659HP; I really want something beefier. Something that comes closer to my QUAD. It seems like the spring "Launch" version of the R2 will be the max HP possible for that car at 659; as there is no mention of the option to buy a software unlock to amplify HP. Unless you've heard differently. So can we expect to get the tri motor R2 during the fall "LIDAR" launch? Or are they going to make us wait even longer into 2027 for that tri motor? If either of the 2026 R2's (Spring "Launch" or Fall "LIDAR") can provide HP software unlock to push beyond 659HP then I'm likely to buy this year. Otherwise, I might just sit tight.

My guess, is that 630-660 whatever HP on the launch Edition is with the "performance package" software unlock... Like the R1 dual. Why would you need "beefier" HP the slowest Rivian is still stupid quick. What's the point of all that HP if they limit the speed anyhow. The torque is the fun part, not the HP.

 

[TexasBob]

For me, the R1s are great as the last of the old generation vehicles that will live in my garage but the next vehicle:

• Must have eyes-off highway driving capability
• Good road tripper (charging time/range combo)
• Fully integrated AI (could be CarPlay, and I'm a CP hater)
• More efficient (looking for 3+ mi/kwh)
• A bit smaller
• Good utility
• V2H (that does not require an expensive proprietary gateway)
• Huge plus to have water fording of 24"+

R2 with the Gen 3 tech stack may tick those boxes. The range and charging appears to be at the low-end of acceptable. BMW is almost perfect but not close on the autonomy. Porsche (Cayenne) and Audi (Q8) will both have eyes-off MobilEye chauffeur systems for the 2028 model year in 2027 and wicked fast charging so that may be an (expensive) alternative. Lucid Earth could tick all the boxes but I do not have much confidence in the company. Genesis should get there next year if Hyundai Drive Pilot stays on track but GV90 is big. Mercedes ticks all the boxes but is too ugly (sorry).

 

[2003fxdl]

The R2 only interests me because it will allow people into Rivian at a more affordable price point. When/if the 3rd gen R1S introduces an opening back window for my dog, I’ll be dragging my ass back to the dealer

 

[SANZC02]

My guess, is that 630-660 whatever HP on the launch Edition is with the "performance package" software unlock... Like the R1 dual. Why would you need "beefier" HP the slowest Rivian is still stupid quick. What's the point of all that HP if they limit the speed anyhow. The torque is the fun part, not the HP.

The part I found interesting in the review yesterday was the horse power at 650 is about the same as the R1S G2 performance but the torque is quite a bit lower at 609 compared to 859. This was putting the zero to 60 times for those 2 vehicles the same around 3.6 seconds even though the R2 is 2k lbs lighter.

The 609 torque is closer to the R1S dual motor not the performance. Makes me wonder if the R2 test vehicles did not have the performance package enabled. I guess it could also just be the new R2 motors or the smaller battery pack might make that much difference in top torque output.

I guess we will find out on 3/12. 3.6 seconds to 60mph is no slouch but I would expect a dual motor performance that is so much lighter to be a bit quicker.

 

[usulio]

Compass

Yellow

 

[NoICE]

I love my early '22 Quad (3xxx), but would trade it in if I could get greater reliability and "ruggedness" in an R2....think 4Runner but no ICE. The R2's standard suspension and manual charge port door should help, but still too many failure points for "luxury items" eg. powered frunk, door handles, etc. Oh, and a bit more range would be nice.

 

[Virtio]

I'm in the same boat. It seems like the LE R2 will be priced at the current value of my R1S. I really prefer the size of the R2 however, the specs on the launch R2 make it hard to consider a "swap". The R2 will be much more efficient and have longer range so that's a plus. I think having the LiDAR module and advanced compute engine will push me over the edge provided the price doesn't increase too much.

 

[True Brit]

They are two totally different vehicles. Perhaps the question should have been posed as..."What would make you downgrade to a small, less capable vehicle?"

What would make the owner of an S-class Mercedes switch to an E-class Mercedes? Lost your job? Divorce? Health reasons? Want or need to save money?

What would make a Tesla S driver switch to a Model 3? Same as above?

Switch from Gulfstream to a King Air? As above.

F150 Platinum to a Mavrick? Same

Fiber optic internet to dial up? Lost your bloody mind, obviously.

I suppose the answer to all of the above is to save money, for whatever reason you may have. Or with the Rivian, the only other logical reason is that you purchased the wrong vehicle and want to go smaller. Which would prove that size does matter.

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