It’s not too big, it’s not too small and it’s not too expensive. It’s just right.
Rivian's first vehicle — the R1T — initially hit the roads in 2021. Despite the industry's best efforts, electric trucks just haven't enjoyed the same popularity as their gas-powered counterparts. Rivian followed that up with the R1S in 2022, which added more room for passengers while also serving as the primary platform for future development. But with three rows of seats and a starting price of over $80,000, it's a bit too big and too expensive to have true mainstream appeal.
Earlier this year, Rivian's third EV — the R2 — hit the roads. The company distilled nearly all of its best features and tech into a family-friendly mid-size SUV. It blends the ruggedness of an off-roader with the civility of a buttoned-up grocery runner for under $60,000 (or much less depending on the spec). It's not too big, it's not too expensive and it has the right blend of tech and style, which sort of makes the Rivian R2 the closest thing to a Goldilocks EV SUV on sale today.
In many respects, the R2 looks like Rivian took the R1S's design, put it in a photocopier and then spit out a new vehicle at 75 percent size. But that's not quite right because Rivian chief design officer Jeff Hammoud previously said the R1 is actually based on an early concept for the R2. The company liked it so much it ended up becoming the template for both models.
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