The $45,000 Rivian R2 Doesn't Stack Up To The Tesla Model Y In One Key Way

"Rivian has released pricing and specifications for the R2, and we now know a lot more about the long-awaited $45,000 base model, which will appeal to a far broader audience than the nearly $60,000 Performance trim that's launching first. But there's a catch. Compared to rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Chevy Blazer EV, the entry-level R2 falls short in one critical area: driving range."

"For the same $45,000 price, the Tesla Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive comes with 357 miles of EPA range. The Hyundai Ioniq 5's top Limited trim gets 318 miles of EPA range—also for the same price as the base R2. Toyota's new EVs also undercut the R2 Standard and can drive further on a single charge."

"The R2 Standard is rear-wheel drive, with a single motor producing 350 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque, enough to hit 60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds. That's nowhere near as bananas as the 656-horsepower dual-motor Performance trim arriving at launch, but it should be more than sufficient for most buyers."

Rivian introduced pricing for the R2, with a high-end Performance trim launching at nearly $60,000 and a more affordable Standard variant arriving next year at $45,000. The R2 Standard features rear-wheel drive with a single motor producing 350 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque, enabling 0-60 acceleration in 5.9 seconds. However, the entry-level model's estimated 275+ miles of range falls significantly short compared to direct competitors. The Tesla Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive offers 357 miles of EPA range at the same $45,000 price point, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited provides 318 miles. A Long Range variant of the R2 Standard is available for $48,490, offering 345 miles of range. Rivian positions the R2 as a premium product, justifying its higher pricing despite the range disadvantage.

Read at insideevs.com