# Rivian R2 Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/rivian-r2/ 19 people recommended Rivian R2 in Hacker News comments, 13 had mixed feelings and 22 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026. It was recommended in 9 of 12 months, in 13 threads. It does not meet the Hacker Approved badge rule. **Verdict:** More people criticize it than recommend it. Mid-size electric SUV people praise for its interior, design and feature set, against a Tesla Model Y. Critics cite missing CarPlay, poor reliability and service, and unfamiliar touch controls. Summary written by Claude from the comments below. ## What people warn about - No CarPlay or Android Auto (4 comments in the sample): "I won't touch it without CarPlay." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46970285)) "Oh wow it doesn't have Carplay/Android Auto? Yes they definitely differentiated themselves, into me not wanting one anymore" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46283769)) "No CarPlay,UI with toxic translucent floating buttons, "evolving" steering wheel." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46970260)) - Poor reliability and service (2 comments in the sample): "all of today's reviews praise the R2, but ignore the troubles current owners have not just with the car but with getting service too" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46971046)) "Rivian, by the way, is the lowest-ranked of 26 covered auto manufacturers in terms of predicted reliability" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46977883)) - Electronic door handles unsafe (2 comments in the sample): "unsafe electronic door handles so your kids an unable to get out of the car in an emergency" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46971178)) "How can you replace the idiotic console and door handles with manageable parts?" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46972741)) - Touch controls distract from driving (2 comments in the sample): "It is such a distraction to pull your eyes off the road for common tasks." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47859155)) "Haptic steering wheel thumb-wheels instead of actual buttons? Hell no." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46970234)) ## Why people recommend it - Attractive design and interior (3 comments in the sample): "I personally find the R2 to be much more appealing than a Model Y in terms of size, shape, and interior." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46970682)) "better interior and exterior design, and a stupid amount of horsepower" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47359324)) "It's a damn nice looking vehicle." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45795109)) - Appealing alternative to Model Y (2 comments in the sample): "It seems like the only real Tesla competitor actually coming to market." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49150782)) "I'd buy a Rivian R2 right now to replace my Model Y" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46235746)) - Strong early reviews (2 comments in the sample): "I think you should go look at journalist reviews and impressions of the R2 if you still doubt them." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49148758)) "way better vehicle according to early reviews and impressions" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48178520)) - Strong power and speed (1 comment in the sample): "Better fit/finish, also fast, similar cost, no Nazi leader." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46765587)) ## Other electric SUVs people recommend - [Tesla Model Y](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tesla-model-y/): 88 recommend, 44 mixed, 94 criticize - [Tesla Model X](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tesla-model-x/): 13 recommend, 3 mixed, 38 criticize - [Kia EV6](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kia-ev6/): 9 recommend, 1 mixed, 5 criticize - [Skoda Enyaq](https://hackerapproved.com/p/skoda-enyaq/): 6 recommend, 1 mixed, 2 criticize ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://rivian.com/) ## The badge A product earns the Hacker Approved badge when at least 10 people recommend it, recommenders outnumber critics at least 2 to 1 (mixed feelings count toward neither side), it was recommended in at least 4 of the 12 months and in at least 5 different threads, and no single thread supplies more than half of the people who recommend it. Health and money products are never badged. ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Rivian R2", https://hackerapproved.com/p/rivian-r2/ (19 recommend, 13 mixed, 22 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026). Counts updated 2 Nov 2026, with data through October 31, 2026.