Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Vehicle Positioning and Size

  • Debate over whether R2 is truly “mid-size”: some say it’s comparable to a Toyota 4Runner or slightly larger than a RAV4; others call it a “matchbox” styled to look big.
  • Confusion from photos: many feel it looks like a shrunken R1S, making scale hard to judge.
  • Some appreciate it as a more reasonable size in the US context; several Europeans regard it as huge and unnecessary for daily use.

Website and Marketing UX

  • Strong criticism of the R2 product page: heavy scrolling, large hero images, little concrete information.
  • Some hope specs will improve closer to launch, noting R1 pages are better but still scroll-heavy.
  • Broader frustration with “quirky” marketing pages that hinder finding real data.

Interior Controls and Infotainment

  • Many dislike haptic thumb-wheels and the lack of physical buttons for critical functions; door handle design is labeled “unsafe” by some.
  • “No CarPlay” is a hard deal-breaker for a significant subset; others say Rivian’s integrated software makes CarPlay unnecessary and that CarPlay often clashes with native UIs.
  • General fatigue with big central tablets and non-mechanical controls.

Price, Depreciation, and Total Cost of Ownership

  • $45k+ base is seen as both “wild” and “normal” given current US new-car prices.
  • Several note steep EV depreciation and high repair/insurance costs, especially for accidents, making TCO unclear versus ICE except for high-mileage drivers.
  • Others argue R2 is reasonably priced against competing BEVs and that used EVs are now bargains.

Range, Performance, and Use Case

  • Skepticism about the advertised “300+ miles” without battery-size details and concern that the cheapest trim may have much lower range.
  • Some question the need for 3-second 0–60 in a family SUV; others say strong acceleration is a safety feature for merging.

Autonomy and Driver Assistance

  • Split between those wanting Tesla-level FSD competition and those satisfied with good adaptive cruise and lane-keeping.
  • Mention that Rivian is partnering with Nvidia and planning upgraded hardware; details and timelines are unclear.

Reliability, Repairs, and Service Access

  • Multiple anecdotes of R1-series build-quality problems (rattles, doors, weatherstripping, random braking, loud HVAC).
  • Collision repairs described as extremely expensive and slow; advice not to buy without a nearby Rivian service center.
  • Some commenters generalize mistrust to all young US EV brands until they prove long-term reliability.

Competition and Market Context

  • R2 framed as a “Model Y fighter,” but many want to see real trims and pricing before judging.
  • A number of people would prefer a PHEV (e.g., RAV4 Prime, Outback) for practicality, buttons, and CarPlay—though others argue PHEVs are often misused gas cars with greenwashing.
  • Repeated comparisons to cheaper Chinese EVs (BYD, etc.), with frustration that US buyers can’t access those prices due to tariffs/regulation.

Urban Design, Safety, and Size Norms

  • Europeans decry the size and weight, arguing big EVs are inefficient and dangerous; some Americans say large vehicles feel necessary amid even larger traffic.
  • Side discussion about small European streets, city car restrictions, and the push toward car-lite or car-free urban cores.

Desire for Durability and Repairability

  • One long analogy with a heavy-duty, fully serviceable salad spinner highlights a wish for cars built to last with readily available parts and owner-friendly maintenance.
  • Some note that parts catalogs exist, but modern cars (EVs especially) feel like sealed, software-locked appliances rather than maintainable machines.