The Rivian R2 is Too Much Fun to Let Drive Itself That's Why I’d Turn Off the Autopilot and Drive

I have a confession to make.

I drove the new Rivian R2 for a full day. I navigated through the stop-and-go traffic of the 405 freeway, crawled over jagged rocks in the Wasatch mountains, and blasted through a canyon pass. And you know what?

I didn’t turn on the autonomous driving once.

It’s not that the tech isn’t there. The R2 is loaded with Rivian’s new Autonomy Platform, complete with a roof-mounted Lidar sensor and a proprietary AI chip that is supposed to rival Tesla’s Full Self-Driving. For $2,500 or $50 a month, you can have a "Universal Hands-Free" system that drives you nearly anywhere.

But here is the thing about the Rivian R2: It is just too much fun to drive yourself.

Rivian might be "all in" on robotaxis and autonomy, but with the R2, they accidentally built a machine for us, the people who still smile when we turn off traction control. It’s a boxy, rugged, electric SUV that feels less like a commuting appliance and more like a skateboard on steroids.

Here is why the R2 might be the most dangerous car Rivian has ever made... because it makes you want to avoid the highway and take the long way home.

The Numbers Are Nuts (But That’s Not The Point)

Let’s get the spreadsheet specs out of the way quickly, because they matter for the ego. The R2 Performance trim we drove is a dual-motor AWD beast. We are talking 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque.

That launches this SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

To put that in perspective, you are driving a vehicle that can out-drag a Lamborghini SUV, all while carrying a set of golf clubs and a camping stove. The range is estimated at up to 345 miles, and the DC fast charging (using the native NACS/Tesla plug) takes you from 10 to 80% in about half an hour.

So yes, the hardware is future-proof. But hardware is useless if the car feels like a video game.

The "Pavement Mode": Hugging Corners Like a Champ

Look, I’m not going to lie to you. When I heard the R2 was switching from the R1’s fancy air suspension to a coil-spring setup (to save cost), I was skeptical. Usually, cheaper suspension means "floaty boaty" handling, especially in a heavy EV.

I was wrong.

Rivian engineers pulled a magic trick here. The R2 weighs nearly 2,000 pounds less than the R1S. You feel that the second you turn the wheel. You know that heavy, sinking feeling when you throw a big SUV into a corner? It’s gone. Replaced by a weird sense of athleticism.

The unibody chassis is reportedly 22 percent stiffer than its bigger brother, which means zero flex when you twist it. The steering is natural and "connected", you actually get feedback (a rarity in modern EVs where the steering usually feels like stirring a pot of warm butter).

If you flick it into Sport Mode, the semi-active dampers (exclusive to the Performance model) tighten up. The R2 stays planted. It stays grounded. You can actually take this thing down a twisty mountain road and enjoy the weight transfer.

Side thought: I’ve driven the Ioniq 5 and the Mach-E. They are great commuters. But the R2 has... attitude.

The Trail Mode: A Surprisingly Capable Off-Roader

Okay, pavement is fun. But the R2 isn't a Tesla. It doesn't melt if it touches a gravel road.

Rivian gave the R2 legitimate off-road bones. You get 9.6 inches of ground clearance (which is better than most stock trucks), a 25-degree approach angle, and a 26-degree departure angle.

On the demo trail, we put the R2 into Rally Mode (my personal favorite). If you’ve ever done a rally driving school, you know the feeling: the rear end gets a little lively, the throttle response sharpens, and you can drift around a dirt corner while a cloud of dust explodes behind you.

The torque vectoring is brilliant. Instead of old-school locking differentials, the software just sends power to the wheels that have traction instantly. You don’t feel it working; you just find yourself climbing a rock face that you didn't think you had clearance for, without breaking a sweat.

It’s controlled chaos. In a good way.

The "AI Co-Pilot": Why Autonomy Takes a Back Seat

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the robot brain.

The R2 comes with Rivian Autonomy+. It uses the Lidar sensor (a spinning dome on the roof) and a custom Rivian Autonomy Processor chip to see the world. This isn't just lane-keeping. This is "Universal Hands-Free", meaning it works on 3.5 million miles of roads, not just pre-mapped highways.

So why didn't I use it?

Because it’s boring.

Look, I get it. If you live in LA and commute 45 minutes on the 101, Autonomy+ is a sanity saver. It handles the traffic, the merging, the stop-and-go. It’s probably better at watching the road than I am when I’m tired.

But here is the catch: The R2 is so engaging to drive that the car feels wasted in self-driving mode. It’s like buying a thoroughbred racehorse and using it to pull a milk cart. Yes, it can do it. But why would you?

Rivian Autonomy Platform key details:

• Cost: $2,500 one-time purchase or $50/month.
• Availability: Rolling out to R2 and Gen 2 R1 models.
• The Future: Rivian has a "clear trajectory" toward Level 4 (eyes-off, you-can-sleep) autonomy, but the R2's handling makes you hope they take their time.

The R2 vs. The World (Tesla Model Y)

You can’t talk about a $50k EV without mentioning the Tesla Model Y. It’s the law. But the R2 makes the Model Y look... sterile.

The Model Y is faster in a straight line (maybe), but the R2 is more fun in every other scenario. Plus, the R2 has a roll-down rear window for fresh air and a massive frunk that fits a carry-on. The Tesla feels like a spaceship; the R2 feels like a cabin in the woods.

Price, Delivery, and Is It Worth It?

Here is the real talk.

Deliveries for the R2 Performance (Launch Package) are happening right now, starting June 9th, 2026. The price starts at $57,990 for that Launch Edition.

If you want the cheaper Standard RWD model, you’ll be waiting until 2027 for that sub-$45,000 price tag to hit.

Verdict? The Performance trim feels like a steal for what you get. It’s cheaper than a fully loaded Model Y, better off-road, and arguably cooler to look at.

The Driver's SUV

Rivian invested billions into making the R2 drive itself. But in doing so, they accidentally built one of the best-driving electric SUVs on the market.

The R2 is a reminder that "autonomy" should be a feature, not the identity. The identity of this truck is adventure. It’s the sound of all-terrain tires humming on a highway. It’s the precise steering on a canyon road. It’s the confidence of 9.6 inches of clearance under your belly.

If you let the car drive itself, you’re missing the point.

Stop looking at the screen and look at the road. This thing wants to be driven.