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The Rivian R2 has the potential to become an even bigger thing for the company than everyone expected. It goes without saying that the midsize electric SUV will target a much larger demographic than the existing high-end R1S and R1T, but it looks like the growth potential of the R2 will be even more significant. That’s because Rivian is reportedly developing additional variants of the R2 that it hasn’t disclosed previously. While Rivian recently began volume production of the R2 at its Illinois

CarPlay can be a real dealbreaker for car buyers It's fair to say that in today's interconnected digital world, smartphone mirroring capabilities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't just subtle luxuries, such as tri-zone climate control, but outright essential features that could make or break a car purchase. In a recent study of over a thousand car owners conducted by American Trucks, approximately 55% of drivers stated that a lack of Apple CarPlay would influence their decision to buy a

Rivian’s Inner Circle Goes First Rivian is shifting from promises to real-world execution as the first Rivian R2 units begin internal deliveries. Software chief Wassym Bensaid confirmed in a reply to @RivianTrackr on X that employee handovers will start this month. Rivian is effectively turning its workforce into early adopters, giving the company a controlled environment to observe how the R2 behaves outside test labs. These are paid deliveries, not prototypes, which means the vehicles are pro

Rivian Thinks Bigger Rivian clearly has its sights set on the Tesla Model Y with the upcoming R2, and the company is strengthening that push with an expanded charging network. The added charging infrastructure should help support the R2, which is expected to become the brand’s volume seller, whereas the R1 lineup targets a more niche demographic. Competing against the Model Y is a tall task, given that it has been the best-selling EV in the U.S. for years, and by a wide margin. As such, every ad

Rivian’s next big product is getting closer to customers. In a post on X, the company says it has begun building manufacturing validation units of the R2 at its Normal, Illinois plant, a key milestone that typically signals a program is moving from prototype work to production readiness. Rivian has been targeting the first half of 2026 for initial R2 deliveries, and validation builds are the stage where factory processes, parts fit, and build quality are stress-tested before full volume assembl

Auto industry CEOs are traditionally among the best paid business executives in the world, but there are significant differences between the pay packages US automakers provide to their bosses. Last year, America’s biggest automakers paid their CEOs in the tens of millions of dollars each, with General Motors’ Mary Barra earning $29.9 million and Ford’s Jim Farley bringing home $27.5 million. As for Stellantis, its new CEO Antonio Filosa received a total compensation package of €5.4 million (appr

On Thursday, March 12, Rivian plans to launch the hotly anticipated R2 crossover, a smaller alternative to the $76,990 R1S with a starting price of just $45,000. But it may not be possible to make it quite so affordable anymore, as the automaker has recently removed all reference to that figure from its website. Since the R2's official unveiling in March 2024, industry experts and consumers alike have been excited by the proposition of packing Rivian's tech, style, and capability into a more att

We're now in the second week of 2026, and we've been waiting to see what the first recall of the year might be. Unfortunately for Rivian, the R1T pickup and R1S SUV claim the distinction (in terms of publicly available vehicles; technically, Blue Bird Bus Company is the first automaker to have a recall this year, but Rivian is the first in the retail space to issue a recall). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2022-2025 Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles may have a problem

A Newly Published Rivian Patent Automotive patents don’t usually guarantee a new product is around the corner, but they do offer a window (pun intended) into what carmakers are working on behind the scenes. Most of the time, these filings are about staking a claim on an idea that might never see the light of day. Still, when a patent gets approved, it’s a hint at the direction a company is considering. That said, Rivian’s latest patent piqued our attention. Approved by the US Patent and Trademar

Rivian has announced a new in-house performance division known as RAD, short for Rivian Adventure Department. Made up of a team of designers, engineers, and enthusiasts, RAD aims to push Rivian EVs like the R1S to their limits while developing new performance features Rivian owners can enjoy. It also opens up the door for a lineup of RAD-badged models, much like BMW’s M, Hyundai’s N, or the AMG division from Mercedes. How The Rivian Adventure Department Began

Tech Overload? Manufacturers haven’t stopped at removing physical buttons. Now they’re busy reinventing the humble door handle, for better or worse — even if no one really asked for it. There are the pop-out units that have been around since the mid-2000s, along with those with the electronic variety. Some even have the handle but a hidden button to open the door behind it. Anything for a USP, right? The madness continues even on the inside these days. However, there have been several safety con

Tech Overload? Manufacturers haven’t stopped at removing physical buttons. Now they’re busy reinventing the humble door handle, for better or worse — even if no one really asked for it. There are the pop-out units that have been around since the mid-2000s, along with those with the electronic variety. Some even have the handle but a hidden button to open the door behind it. Anything for a USP, right? The madness continues even on the inside these days. However, there have been several safety con

Rivian’s electronic interior releases help keep the cabin clean and modern, but not everyone is happy with how the rear doors work during power loss. A growing number of R1S and R1T owners are sharing DIY solutions to make emergency exits easier for children, after discovering that the manual release cable sits behind the trim rather than being immediately accessible. But complaints about these electronic door handles aren't new. Recently, China announced a ban on Tesla-style door handles over s

Back to the 48 When you live in Alaska, it's a totally different ballgame. Take, for instance, a Rivian owner who needs warranty work on his 2024 Rivian R1T. To make a warranty claim and to see it through, it used to be free with time and being the principal cost back then. However, some things happened that now necessitate thousands of dollars just to get the car towed to the nearest service center. The Drive picked up on this story, citing that an EV on a commercial barge caught fire while in

Reworked for Speed When it comes to pure acceleration and performance, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have always been at the top of the food chain. We've all seen those videos of Tesla models seemingly obliterating the most powerful ICE supercars and hypercars at drag races, only to be beaten by another EV in a separate race. The competition's just that tough. When it comes to utilitarian pickup EVs, though, the conversation changes; speed isn't necessarily the most important feature. In the case of t

Rivian is close to starting deliveries of its cheapest EV yet, the long-awaited R2. But the company’s factory in Normal, Illinois, was hit by an EF1 tornado this past weekend, which may hamper efforts to get the SUV to customers on time. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, a message sent to employees by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe expressed relief that nobody was injured. The incident occurs at a sensitive time for the EV company, which hopes to dramatically increase sales wi

I have to give credit to Rivian, because they have created new car, suv, and truck models that stand out and are easy to identify as a Rivian. But it’s their unique and creative features that I really like. If you haven’t seen one in person, or haven’t seen their cross body storage compartments in photos and video, you are missing out. They have flipped the script on what the standard features in trucks and suvs are, and have even inspired some of the bigger brands with their offerings. Video D

Numbers Moving Up Rivian released a preliminary EPA test-cycle estimate of 330 miles for the R2 Performance last month. Those who have placed an order may be pleased to learn that an EPA certification filing shared on Rivian Forums suggests the model could deliver up to 335 miles of range. Five miles may not sound like much in the grand scheme of things, but in an emergency, it could make the difference in reaching a charging station. The 335-mile estimate applies to the R2 Performance equipped

Rivian Turns Up the Value Rivian’s projected volume seller, the all-new R2, is currently open for reservations, with the top-spec Performance trim arriving first. The electric vehicle maker is also sweetening the deal with a limited-time Launch Package for the R2 Performance, adding several features at no extra cost, including Autonomy+ for the lifetime of the vehicle. Autonomy+, similar to systems like General Motors’ Super Cruise, provides advanced driver-assistance features, including Univers

Rivian’s More Attainable EV Finally Takes Shape The R2’s specs may have leaked early, but the official reveal shows there’s a lot more to this electric SUV than what first hit the internet. The R2 is a big deal for Rivian. While the R1T pickup and R1S SUV helped establish the brand, both sit firmly in premium territory with prices well north of $70,000. The R2 is meant to be the more mainstream offering – something for buyers who want Rivian’s design and capability but can’t quite stretch their

Not Quite as Planned The Rivian R2 is seen as the brand’s lifeline, aiming to cut into sales of the Tesla Model Y – the best-selling electric vehicle in the U.S. last year. Rivian plans to support R2 production with a new assembly plant in Georgia, but according to Automotive News, the project has just hit a hurdle. The report stated that the federal loan for the project was cut by $2 billion, bringing it down to $4.5 billion. The funding comes from the Department of Energy and is intended to he

Rivian is recalling a small batch of R1T and R1S vehicles after determining that bolts securing the second-row outboard seat belt retractor assemblies may not have been properly tightened during production. If the retractor is not adequately secured, the seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Kristen Brown

Staying Positive We've extensively covered over the past few months how the EV industry is facing challenging times. Sales haven't been stellar, and this trend has been across the board, not isolated to one model or brand. Despite this, certain brands have remained steadfast and optimistic. Jeep, for example, is still full steam ahead for the Recon model. Rivian is also still very excited about the launch of the upcoming R2, having already revealed targets for the year.

Rivian has begun mass producing its most awaited vehicle yet, the R2 midsize electric SUV that’s expected to take the EV maker to the next level. Despite damages caused by a tornado to the plant in Normal, Illinois earlier in the week, the company has started production of R2 SUVs destined for customers on April 22, noting that deliveries are set to follow later this spring. After building test prototypes and Manufacturing Validation Builds (MVBs), the factory has shifted to building R2 vehicles

Rivian’s friendly-looking and unimaginatively-named Electric Delivery Van – EDV, for short – is now a fairly common sight on America’s roads, with Amazon alone – initially the van’s exclusive customer – having taken delivery of over 30,000 of them since 2021, and it comfortable outselling all of its rivals in 2025. So far, though, its remit has been largely urban deliveries over relatively concentrated, thanks to two-wheel drive and fairly modest ranges. That’s soon going to change, though, as R