Why You Should Get an R2 Over an R1S

[Gen(R3)Xer]

This is just my personal opinion, but I think getting an R2 over an R1S is definitely the way to go. I really appreciate Rivian trying to become a more affordable mainstream vehicle company. Fun fact, Rivian’s original name was Mainstream Motors. I’m all for it and I wish them the best of luck. I’m looking forward to leasing an R2 in 2027, when my Model 3 lease is finally up. Anyway, feel free to comment, refute, or add to this list as you wish.

• The R2 is more affordable starting at $44,990 and going to $57,990 vs. the R1S starting at $76,990 and going to $121,990. That’s a difference of $32K on the low end and up to $64K on the high end!

• The R2 has a more traditional suspension giving it a softer, more comfortable ride vs. the R1S’ air suspension that has been described as too stiff and truck-like. The R2 does have a Sport Mode that can stiffen the ride if desired. Another advantage of the R2’s more traditional suspension is that it should be easier to service and “cheaper” to repair. A disadvantage is that you can’t adjust the ride height, like on the R1S, making it less capable off road. You can’t level your bed for camping either, so you’ll have to park on a flatter surface.

• The R2 appears to have a better charging curve (ie holds a higher kW number longer) than the R1S even at a higher battery percentage based on recent reviews. The battery is also smaller on an R2, so that should help it to charge up faster as well. Charging time between 10% to 80% is said to be just under 30 minutes, so pretty average, especially compared to a Tesla, but the larger battery options on the R1S are often sited as taking 40-45 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

• The R2 has more leg room in the second row (40”) vs. the R1S (36.6”).

• The R2 should be cheaper to repair and as a result insure. It has dark gray cladding around the vehicle (bumpers, etc), as well as some of the panels being separated out for easier replacement if you’re involved in an accident (ie the quarter panels), cutting down on repair costs.

• The R2 is quieter on city streets and especially highways based on recent reviews and test drives. It doesn’t seem to have the wind noise of the R1S, although at least one reviewer said he could hear wind noise from the rear spoiler at speeds over 70MPH.

• The R2 has better fit and finish based on recent reviews and test drives vs. the R1S that has had issues with panel gaps, creaking door handles, loud AC systems causing rattling in the dashboard, rubber trim falling off around the trunk lid, and wind noise around specific windows and the windshield. Of course the R2 isn’t fully rolled out yet and hasn’t been driven by any customer long-term, so we don’t know if any issues will crop up in the future (rear wiper embedded in the tailgate, capacitive buttons on the frunk and rear lift gate, the drop glass itself, and the haptic halo wheels, I’m looking at you).

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[BCondrey]

Faster charge? My R1T can do 200+kw, the R1S is different?

 

[Shaqdeez]

Lot of false info here

 

[Great Gatsby]

This is just my personal opinion, but I think getting an R2 over an R1S is definitely the way to go. I really appreciate Rivian trying to become a more affordable mainstream vehicle company. Fun fact, Rivian’s original name was Mainstream Motors. I’m all for it and I wish them the best of luck. I’m looking forward to leasing an R2 in 2027, when my Model 3 lease is finally up. Anyway, feel free to comment, refute, or add to this list as you wish.

• The R2 is more affordable starting at $44,990 and going to $57,990 vs. the R1S starting at $76,990 and going to $121,990. That’s a difference of $32K on the low end and up to $64K on the high end!

• The R2 has a more traditional suspension giving it a softer, more comfortable ride vs. the R1S’ air suspension that has been described as too stiff and truck-like. The R2 does have a Sport Mode that can stiffen the ride if desired. Another advantage of the R2’s more traditional suspension is that it should be easier to service and “cheaper” to repair. A disadvantage is that you can’t adjust the ride height, like on the R1S, making it less capable off road. You can’t level your bed for camping either, so you’ll have to park on a flatter surface.

• The R2 charges faster at 220kW vs. the R1S at only 160kW. The battery is also smaller on an R2, so that should help it to charge up faster as well. Charging time between 10% to 80% is said to be just under 30 minutes, so pretty average.

• The R2 has more leg room in the second row (40”) vs. the R1S (36.6”).

• The R2 should be cheaper to repair and as a result insure. It has dark gray cladding around the vehicle (bumpers, etc), as well as some of the panels being separated out for easier replacement if you’re involved in an accident (ie the quarter panels), cutting down on repair costs.

• The R2 is quieter on city streets and especially highways based on recent reviews and test drives. It doesn’t seem to have the wind noise of the R1S, although at least one reviewer said he could hear wind noise from the rear spoiler at speeds over 70MPH.

• The R2 has better fit and finish based on recent reviews and test drives vs. the R1S that has had issues with panel gaps, creaking door handles, loud AC systems causing rattling in the dashboard, rubber trim falling off around the trunk lid, and wind noise around specific windows and the windshield.

Currently, yes, the R2 is almost strictly better. If you don't need a third row, I'd say R2 all day.

However, nothing a refresh can't fix on the R1. I personally think the R1 is the more good looking vehicle and love the higher end feeling of the tri and quad models. I hope they can keep the R1 competitive and aspirational. Still a great SUV but can certainly use some improvements and Rivian has proven they know how to get it there. We'll see. I can easily see myself getting an R1 again in the future once it gets more updates.

 

[DaveA]

My main reason for going R2 is suspension. I've driven all iterations of Gen 1 and 2 T and S , all tire sizes, etc...The suspension is great at first and then at about 10k miles loosens up and just sounds like its falling apart on anything other than smoothest roads. Add in that the R2 is a vault sound wise and no NVH to speak of from my test drive, and its R2 all day.

 

[Mos Eisley]

Lot of false info here

Such as?

 

[jrmbadger]

Such as?

Such as the charging speed of the R1S.

I get ~215KW fast charging on my Gen 1 R1S regularly.

 

[Dark-Fx]

My main reason for going R2 is suspension. I've driven all iterations of Gen 1 and 2 T and S , all tire sizes, etc...The suspension is great at first and then at about 10k miles loosens up and just sounds like its falling apart on anything other than smoothest roads. Add in that the R2 is a vault sound wise and no NVH to speak of from my test drive, and its R2 all day.

Your demo R2 had more than 10k miles?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Faster charge? My R1T can do 200+kw, the R1S is different?

My bad. I used AI to try to verify some of my findings and it gave me old info. I’ve updated it to reflect newer R1S and R1T models. Everything else should be good, just let me know.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Such as the charging speed of the R1S.

I get ~215KW fast charging on my Gen 1 R1S regularly.

Yep, I screwed that up due to asking AI for help verifying things. I fixed it.

 

[iamnid]

Such as the charging speed of the R1S.

I get ~215KW fast charging on my Gen 1 R1S regularly.

That's doesn't mean much. 215kw is the peak charging speed. How long does it hold that rate? I'm not saying the R2 charges faster -- I haven't read anything regarding its charging curve. That said, even if the R2 has the same peak charging rate, it could easily charge faster if it holds that speed longer than the R1

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Currently, yes, the R2 is almost strictly better. If you don't need a third row, I'd say R2 all day.

However, nothing a refresh can't fix on the R1. I personally think the R1 is the more good looking vehicle and love the higher end feeling of the tri and quad models. I hope they can keep the R1 competitive and aspirational. Still a great SUV but can certainly use some improvements and Rivian has proven they know how to get it there. We'll see. I can easily see myself getting an R1 again in the future once it gets more updates.

I have no doubt in my mind that Rivian will refresh the R1 lineup in the next few years. They’ll take everything they learned from the R2/R3 (same platform) and apply it to the Gen 3 R1T/R1S and then some.

I don’t think Rivian wants to sunset these models, like Tesla did with the Model S and X. There’s so much potential there to create next gen halo products with unique features, interiors, etc. I’d love to see them move to an 800V architecture since these are top-of-line vehicles.

 

[SlaterGS]

Love the R2 and not saying there is no value in what you posted, however, there are many more potential dealbreaker features that the R1 offers that the R2 does not.
So for some, the R2 may not be an option regardless of its price.

So I'll play that game on the other side for a moment

Why you should get an R1 vs R2:

- Seats more than 5
- More towing capacity (7,700 vs 4,400)
- More storage space
- Powered Frunk​

- AM/FM​

- Adjustable suspension​

- More range option​

- Faster acceleration​

If affordability is the primary concern and none of the above are dealbreakers, then the R2 is probably the right choice.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Lot of false info here

As far as I can tell, the only false information was the charging speed of the R1S, which was enhanced in recent years on the R1 lineup. I tried using AI to verify this and it gave me old info.

Everything else was pulled from info Rivian has released, dozens of videos I’ve watched, and articles I’ve read. I know there can be false information there too, but overall it should be sound. Let me know if there’s anything else you see. Specific issues that you see would be helpful.

And again I’m sure Rivian will enhance the R1 lineup with all of these features and more in the next few years once they get the R2 and R3 rolled out. They’re probably working on it right now. I’m just sharing my opinion as to why I think the R2 is currently better than the R1S. Of course if someone needs a 3-row SUV, a larger battery pack, and more off-road capability, the R1S has its advantages.

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