The Rivian R2 was announced two years ago and has become one of our most anticipated models since then. Two years might not be that much time in the grand scheme of things, but when you look at the highs and lows we’ve seen in the electric vehicle landscape since then, it might as well be a century. From rapid infrastructure expansion to a sudden about-face in government support, and the collapse of all but the most resilient EV brands, the R2 is launching into a very different world than the one for which it was designed.
Rivian is finally bringing this SUV to market in June, and some early information from the EPA, proving that the R2 Performance outpaces the Tesla Model Y Performance in overall range, suggests that the R1’s follow-up could be everything it was promised to be, and more. Here’s every way the new SUV is ready to beat the Model Y at its own game.
The Rivian R2 Performance Has Up To 24 Miles Of Range On The Model Y Performance
2026 Rivian R2. Motion. Rear, three-quartersRivian
With 20-inch wheels, the Rivian R2 Performance promises 307 miles of range on a full charge, according to the EPA. That’s one mile better than the 2026 Model Y Performance. With 21-inch wheels, though, the R2 is estimated to go 330 miles on a full charge, a 24-mile advantage over the Model Y Performance.
In practice, the EPA’s FuelEconomy.gov site doesn’t estimate that much of a difference for your wallet, with both models costing around $700 a year to keep charged, assuming 15,000 miles a year, split 45/55 between highway and city driving. Still, that extra 24 miles is one more commute between charges.
The R2 Has More Than 100 Horses On The Model Y
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
2027 Rivian R2 Performance
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance
Power
656 hp
510 hp
Torque
609 lb-ft
513 lb-ft
Laying the R2 and the Model Y side by side really puts things into perspective.
It’s worth noting that the R2 can weigh over 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration. In comparison, the Model Y cuts a relatively trim weight of around 4,500 pounds. Still, we’re talking about a difference of 146 hp, which is pretty substantial.
Rivian Has Built The Superior Off-Roader
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
Ground Clearance
Model Y Performance
6.0 Inches
R2 Performance
9.6 Inches
The R2 and the Model Y are both all-wheel drive SUVs, but the R2’s 32-inch tires contribute to better performance on rough terrain.
Both SUVs share a 19.9-foot turning radius. The R2’s wheelbase of 115.6 inches beats the Model Y by a hair, at 113.8 inches. However, the track width is a third of an inch shorter, at 64 inches, so the gap in ground clearance could really make a difference off-road.
The Rivian R2 Delivers More Horsepower Per Dollar
2026 Rivian R2. Off-road. Compact electric SUV. Side profileRivian
While we’re splitting hairs, it’s worth mentioning that both the Model Y Performance and the R2 Performance cost $57,990. So, if neither car takes the win on pricing, we have no choice but to split hairs. With the R2, buyers pay $88.40 per horsepower, and the Model Y costs $113.71 per horsepower.
If they don’t want us pulling out the calculator on them, then one automaker needs to charge a dollar more than the other company to make the price comparison easier.
Rivian Drivers Get More Storage Space In The Cabin
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
The R2 features seats that fold down completely flat, for up to 90.1 cubic feet of cargo space. In a Model Y, you’re getting up to 76 cubic feet of cargo space, which isn’t bad, but the back rows don’t fold down quite as flat or offer as much floorspace as the R2. The Rivian practically transforms into a cargo van when you don’t have any passengers to cart around.
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If you look at numbers like headroom and legroom, both cars roughly match up in the 40-inch range from point to point, but the Rivian’s boxy dimensions allow for more overall space once you fold the seats down.
The R2 Has More Storage In The Frunk, Too
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
The R2 offers 5.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the frunk, while the Model Y taps out at just 4.1 cubic feet of storage. Either model offers plenty of space for a few suitcases or a grocery trip, but the extra cubic foot in the R2 is likely to come in handy when you’ve got a bunch of kids and a dog piling in for the road trip, and every bit of storage space counts.
A bigger frunk is just one of the ways the R2 is a better family car than the Model Y, in both major and marginal differences.
Rivian Promises Faster Charging In The R2
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
Rivian has promised an 80% charge in as little as 29 minutes at a DC fast charger, from a 10% battery. A Tesla Model Y can take up to 36 minutes to reach the same charge level. A small difference, but that number will bring some peace of mind when you’re worried that you’re about to be seven minutes late for work because you forgot to charge your car last night.
Promises aside, we can’t really pass a verdict on this until we see how it charges in practice. Every EV builder claims a full charge “in about a half hour.”
Tesla Beats Rivian On The Track (But Not By Much)
2026 Tesla Model Y exterior front 3/4 dynamic shot on roadTesla (Australia)
R2 Performance
Model Y Performance
0-60
3.6 Seconds
3.2 Seconds
Quarter Mile
12.3 Seconds
11.5 Seconds
Credit where it’s due, Tesla still has the Rivian beat on the track, owing in large part to a substantial weight difference. But, given a 500-lb weight difference, you’d expect the Model Y to leave the R2 far in the rearview. In practice, the Model Y’s advantage is razor-thin.
That Roll-Down Rear Window Feature Is Really Cool
2026 Rivian R2Rivian
The R2’s boxy shape enables certain functionality upgrades that aren’t practical in the Model Y, namely, a roll-down rear window for an open-air riding experience, and improved carrying potential. Paired with fold-flat seats and generous cargo space, the roll-down window means you can use the R2 to carry a stack of 2x4s for a construction project without having to rent a trailer.
The window rolls down from the interior via a switch near the driver’s seat or from the exterior via a button on the tailgate, providing quick access from either side. Pretty neat, right?
Rivian Out-Tows Tesla By Nearly Half A Ton
2026 Tesla Model Y StandardTesla
In a Model Y Performance with the factory tow package, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds. And we’ve seen towing tests for Teslas, proving that they’re not always as practically useful as they are on paper, meaning that the 3,500-pound capacity might only be good for a limited distance before you need another charge.
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If you need an SUV that can carry people, go on road trips, tackle rough terrain, or just be excellent, the R1S can handle it.
In an R2 Performance, you’re towing around 4,400 pounds with the Class III receiver included in the Launch Package. We won’t know how this affects range until it hits the road. We’ll see how it actually performs, but that’s more than enough pulling power to get a boat down to the lake or haul a small fifth-wheel trailer, further confirming the R2 as the more practical option for busy families, whether you’re making your daily runs or taking the whole crew to the campsite.
Sources: Rivian, Tesla, FuelEconomy.gov.
