Rivian's R2 road test signals a turning point for the EV maker

Rivian’s high-stakes midsize EV, the R2, is designed to scale the company toward profitability with a cheaper, high-volume platform. In road tests, the Performance model delivers 656 hp and 609 lb-ft for a 0–60 around 3.6 seconds, while its semiactive dampers provide a notably smooth, composed ride. The EPA rates range at 330 miles from an 88-kWh pack, with real-world figures around 250–300 miles; charging uses a Tesla-compatible NACS port—10% to 80% in under 30 minutes. The interior feels premium for the price, but the lack of Apple CarPlay is a drawback. Pricing starts near $57,990 (about $61k as tested). If the R2 can scale, it could finally deliver profitability and volume for Rivian beyond its acclaimed but costly R1-series offerings.