Finished R2 demo test drive? Share your review / impressions

[NinjaWrap]

Sounds to me like the test unit was not running correctly. The R2 we just picked up on a day completely sunny in the mid 80s was perfectly comfortable in a few minutes and I never had it on high. We actually turned the fan down halfway into my 8 mile drive home. The one we test drove was a couple of weeks ago and had no issues with the cooling in that one either.

Going out to the desert next week, the high temps are going to be between 114 and 119, I guess it will be a solid test for our system.

Might just be me, I have heard tons of complaints about the R1 HVAC as well and I have never had an issue keeping my R1S comfortable.

The one I drove was reading 100° outside in South Carolina sun and humid and I felt totally fine with the AC on. This is great because I live in the mountains where it never gets that hot so I will be totally fine.

I am only 5‘9“ tall, but I could see how someone taller might feel more heat from the glass on their head

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[Husky]

The one I drove was reading 100° outside in South Carolina sun and humid and I felt totally fine with the AC on. This is great because I live in the mountains where it never gets that hot so I will be totally fine.

I am only 5‘9“ tall, but I could see how someone taller might feel more heat from the glass on their head

These experiences others have had are encouraging, but also confounding since I'm not the only one who felt the interior was too hot. It seems odd that Rivian would have a demo vehicle whose AC wasn't with working properly.
I'll have to let this go and resign myself to getting a shade when it's available (hopefully soon after I get the car, although in two months it will be cooler).
Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[graytag]

I guess people like glass roofs. Reviewers always say it would be great to have a panoramic roof when they see a small sunroof. I also think it allows manufacturers to keep the vehicle as low as possible for better aerodynamics while still giving people enough headroom. As for why they have not implemented a built-in sunshade, I don’t know. Maybe it is to reduce cost and weight, since it is a pretty bulky system.

I actually enjoy a sunroof on a nice day. The other days- when it's hot AF in TX, I like to close my sunshade. I, honestly, am in camp "what's the point of glass that doesn't open and doesn't offer a heat blocking solution."

 

[Jeremy3292]

It’s always interesting to see differing peoples opinions. I personally had zero issues with the AC. It rips IMO but I live in the south so the feeling of heat in general is normal. Some are very sensitive to heat though.

 

[rvnxyz001]

Some are very sensitive to heat though.

Anything above 75F is hot for me, especially when it is sunny. The perfect temperature for me is 60 to 65F and cloudy. A little rain would be nice too. I do not like driving with the AC on and prefer open windows and fresh air. I almost never open my moonroof shade. I might open it in winter to get a little more light and help me wake up, but that is very rare. My wife feels the same way, so the glass roof is an important consideration for us. We will need to make it as dark as possible or look for another car.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Anything above 75F is hot for me, especially when it is sunny. The perfect temperature for me is 60 to 65F and cloudy. A little rain would be nice too. I do not like driving with the AC on and prefer open windows and fresh air. I almost never open my moonroof shade. I might open it in winter to get a little more light and help me wake up, but that is very rare. My wife feels the same way, so the glass roof is an important consideration for us. We will need to make it as dark as possible or look for another car.

You might want something like this.

https://www.evbase.com/collections/...roof-shade-foldable-heat-reflective-sun-visor

 

[Husky]

You might want something like this.

https://www.evbase.com/collections/...roof-shade-foldable-heat-reflective-sun-visor

Thanks for the link! I know there's also another company (Vion?) that has made them for the R1 and will no doubt add the R2.

Can anyone confirm if they are available in the Rivian store/Gear Shop when placing your order for the car? My SC rep said they were, but nobody here has mentioned it.

 

[Count Orlok]

test drive for The Count:

viscerally speaking it's a great vehicle. More composed than the LE R1S. Feels like it was built by people who have manufactured 100,000 cars not 1,000.

other observations:

• glass top is close to The Count's noggin; too much sun (IYKYK)
• frunk is tiny.
• charge port cover is no more gimpy than the gas cap cover on the Royal Grenadier.
• seems not very quick compared to the former Royal R1S. Not slow but it didn't react like an R1.
• steering wheel wheels are gimmicky.
• The Count's leg hit the the driver's door opener a couple of times while driving.
• price point seems about right for the LP.
• Rear window is sweet.
• viability is good.
• would buy if Rivian hadn't gutted mobile service.

 

[Husky]

test drive for The Count:

viscerally speaking it's a great vehicle. More composed than the LE R1S. Feels like it was built by people who have manufactured 100,000 cars not 1,000.

other observations:

• glass top is close to The Count's noggin; too much sun (IYKYK)
• frunk is tiny.
• charge port cover is no more gimpy than the gas cap cover on the Royal Grenadier.
• seems not very quick compared to the former Royal R1S. Not slow but it didn't react like an R1.
• steering wheel wheels are gimmicky.
• The Count's leg hit the the driver's door opener a couple of times while driving.
• price point seems about right for the LP.
• Rear window is sweet.
• viability is good.
• would buy if Rivian hadn't gutted mobile service.

Husky's not sure we can Count on that.

 

[NinjaWrap]

would buy if Rivian hadn't gutted mobile service

Wait, what?

 

[ATXR2]

These experiences others have had are encouraging, but also confounding since I'm not the only one who felt the interior was too hot. It seems odd that Rivian would have a demo vehicle whose AC wasn't with working properly.
I'll have to let this go and resign myself to getting a shade when it's available (hopefully soon after I get the car, although in two months it will be cooler).
Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Drove one in Austin 2 days ago at around 2 pm (my third drive so far) and it was 100 degrees outside. R2 was in the parking lot in the sun and off when we got in so it was like 140 degrees inside.

A coworker who is also very interested in getting one came along. The AC was an issue. Seemed like it was on full blast, but was just not cooling the car down. Prob should have rolled the windows down for a couple minutes, but i figured we give it a hard test.

She drove, and i messed with all the settings and finally after turning Auto OFF, and the fans all the way up and temp to lowest we finally started getting cool. Seems like the auto setting (which i guess is on by default or what was last used) was just not getting it done. I also turned on the rear vents, and despite reducing some airflow in front, think it helped to cool the vehicle down overall.

honestly though, i AM a little worried about it as it did take more or less the whole drive before the vehicle really felt comfortable. hopefully some software tweaks can help. I do think some extra heat protection from additional tinting, which i would have done anyway, will help. Also, the vent adjustment is def wonky. I have tesla exp, so the hidden vent thing is not new, i just don't really care for it, would it kill them to have put reg vents in?

Maybe this particular vehicle was a little under charged with freon or something, cause my other two drives were better.

we got back in my Lightning and despite warming in that sun cooked lot for an hour or so, it was cooled down within 5 min of getting in. it might be deficient in plenty of ways but that damn ford ac blows COLD!

 

[rvnxyz001]

She drove, and i messed with all the settings and finally after turning Auto OFF, and the fans all the way up and temp to lowest we finally started getting cool.

It does not have recirculation mode ? I always use itnin the begging if car is too hot. But I guess main problem is the glass roof that acts as massive heater

 

[tivoboy]

Drove one in Austin 2 days ago at around 2 pm (my third drive so far) and it was 100 degrees outside. R2 was in the parking lot in the sun and off when we got in so it was like 140 degrees inside.

A coworker who is also very interested in getting one came along. The AC was an issue. Seemed like it was on full blast, but was just not cooling the car down. Prob should have rolled the windows down for a couple minutes, but i figured we give it a hard test.

She drove, and i messed with all the settings and finally after turning Auto OFF, and the fans all the way up and temp to lowest we finally started getting cool. Seems like the auto setting (which i guess is on by default or what was last used) was just not getting it done. I also turned on the rear vents, and despite reducing some airflow in front, think it helped to cool the vehicle down overall.

honestly though, i AM a little worried about it as it did take more or less the whole drive before the vehicle really felt comfortable. hopefully some software tweaks can help. I do think some extra heat protection from additional tinting, which i would have done anyway, will help. Also, the vent adjustment is def wonky. I have tesla exp, so the hidden vent thing is not new, i just don't really care for it, would it kill them to have put reg vents in?

Maybe this particular vehicle was a little under charged with freon or something, cause my other two drives were better.

we got back in my Lightning and despite warming in that sun cooked lot for an hour or so, it was cooled down within 5 min of getting in. it might be deficient in plenty of ways but that damn ford ac blows COLD!

If an interior is that hot you’ve really got to open the windows to get the hot air out.. expectation a thermal change of that volume without heat transfer is a waste or time and energy. It’s amazing how fast a cars interior temp CAN change running A/C for 3-5 min while driving and keeping windows open.. it’s not good the A/C or the environment, but it works.

 

[ATXR2]

It does not have recirculation mode ? I always use itnin the begging if car is too hot. But I guess main problem is the glass roof that acts as massive heater

so, that is an interesting question, I was looking for a recirc mode and i couldn't figure out how to turn it on/off if it has it. My thinking is usually when the car is that hot inside, you want recirc OFF as bringing in more fresh air that, despite being 100 degrees, is cooler than the inside air. But honestly, modern cars should cool off without having to think too much about it or mess with a bunch of stuff! Hoping these are early anomalies, but at least my driveway is shady and work parking is underground!

 

[rvnxyz001]

My thinking is usually when the car is that hot inside, you want recirc OFF as bringing in more fresh air that, despite being 100 degrees, is cooler than the inside air.

It cools faster with recirculation for sure, but yes you have to drive with windows fully open a little bit first

From the manual:
To maintain your cabin comfort more efficiently, use Auto mode, which automatically adjusts the airflow distribution (which vents are used), fan speed, temperature, and air recirculation setting to achieve the temperature you specify.
* Ensure that air recirculation is also set to Auto, which automatically allows outside air or recirculates cabin air to enhance cabin comfort. Choose Air recirculation until it displays Auto under the icon.
* Set the initial temperature to 72°F (22°C).

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