Rivian R2
Ranked 2 of 7 electric SUVs by recommenders
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.
19 people recommended Rivian R2 in Hacker News comments, 13 had mixed feelings and 22 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026.
Summary written by Claude from the comments below.
54 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 19
- mixed feelings
- 13
- warn against or regret it
- 22
The record
Recommended in 9 of 12 months
In 13 different threads.
- November 2025: recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: recommended
- February 2026: recommended
- March 2026: recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 19 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- 0.8 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, not met.
- Recommended in 9 of 12 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
- Recommended in 13 threadsNeeds 5 or more, met.
- The biggest thread supplies 21% of its recommendersNeeds half or less, met.
The same rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. Mixed feelings count toward neither side. How the badge works
What people say about it
Reasons grouped from a sample of 40 of the 63 opinions about it, picked in proportion to how many people recommend it, have mixed feelings and criticize it. Each mark is one comment in the sample. Open a reason to read what they said.
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
No CarPlay or Android Auto
“I won't touch it without CarPlay.”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” “Oh wow it doesn't have Carplay/Android Auto? Yes they definitely differentiated themselves, into me not wanting one anymore”
Comment from 16 Dec 2025 in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free” “No CarPlay,UI with toxic translucent floating buttons, "evolving" steering wheel.”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” - Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “CarPlay Is Additive”
Poor reliability and service
“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”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” “Rivian, by the way, is the lowest-ranked of 26 covered auto manufacturers in terms of predicted reliability”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” Electronic door handles unsafe
“unsafe electronic door handles so your kids an unable to get out of the car in an emergency”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” “How can you replace the idiotic console and door handles with manageable parts?”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” Touch controls distract from driving
“It is such a distraction to pull your eyes off the road for common tasks.”
Comment from 22 Apr 2026 in “Rivian R2 won't have A/C buttons followed by CEO's decision” “Haptic steering wheel thumb-wheels instead of actual buttons? Hell no.”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV”
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Attractive design and interior
“I personally find the R2 to be much more appealing than a Model Y in terms of size, shape, and interior.”
Comment from 11 Feb 2026 in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV” “better interior and exterior design, and a stupid amount of horsepower”
Comment from 13 Mar 2026 in “Rivian Introduces R2 Lineup, Sharing Full Trims and Pricing” “It's a damn nice looking vehicle.”
Comment from 3 Nov 2025 in “Amazon Rivian electric delivery vans arrive in Canada” Appealing alternative to Model Y
“It seems like the only real Tesla competitor actually coming to market.”
Comment from 3 Aug 2026 in “Europe EV Sales BEVs Jump 50% & Reach 26% Market Share” “I'd buy a Rivian R2 right now to replace my Model Y”
Comment from 11 Dec 2025 in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free” Strong early reviews
“I think you should go look at journalist reviews and impressions of the R2 if you still doubt them.”
Comment from 2 Aug 2026 in “Europe EV Sales BEVs Jump 50% & Reach 26% Market Share” “way better vehicle according to early reviews and impressions”
Comment from 18 May 2026 in “Tesla Solar Roof is on life support as it pivot to panels” Strong power and speed
“Better fit/finish, also fast, similar cost, no Nazi leader.”
Comment from 26 Jan 2026 in “Tesla kills Autopilot, locks lane-keeping behind $99/month fee”
Other electric SUVs people recommend
The four most recommended other electric SUVs, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Mixed | Criticize | Approval | Months | Had for | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 88 | 44 | 94 | 48% | 12 | 3.2 yrs19 people | — |
| Rivian R2This page | 19 | 13 | 22 | 46% | 9 | — | — |
| Tesla Model X | 13 | 3 | 38 | 25% | 8 | — | — |
| Kia EV6 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 64% | 5 | — | — |
| Skoda Enyaq | 6 | 1 | 2 | 75% | 5 | — | — |
What people said
40 of the 63 opinions about it, picked in proportion to the three counts, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“Rivian has commercial products (Amazon) as well as mainstream consumer products like the R2”
“Stsrting price (and interest rate) is much better than the R2.”
“Otherwise great product and this self drive system at least has a sound start”
“It seems like the only real Tesla competitor actually coming to market.”
“I think you should go look at journalist reviews and impressions of the R2 if you still doubt them.”
“a refusal to support CarPlay is an extremely user-hostile decision”
“The Rivian R2 is yet another huge deal about to launch on the premium side of the market.”
“way better vehicle according to early reviews and impressions”
“It is such a distraction to pull your eyes off the road for common tasks.”
“better interior and exterior design, and a stupid amount of horsepower”
“they seem to be making a lot of effort”
“53mi is weak sauce, but that sounds like the battery was near EOL.”
“It's the best of both worlds as you can drive it EV only for short distances”
“Rivian, by the way, is the lowest-ranked of 26 covered auto manufacturers in terms of predicted reliability”
“Rivian is not yet serious about building a quality, customer-centric EV”
“There's not much in-between room for Rivian as they have no solar wildcard”
“does it have CarPlay yet? It's a complete deal breaker”
“Put some physical buttons in there and maybe I’ll consider it.”
“How can you replace the idiotic console and door handles with manageable parts?”
“MKBHD isn't much better in that regard”
“The R2 looks great but like you said, never buy a first year model.”
“I wouldn’t personally buy one today when lots of options for real BEVs exist”
“The wheels are real, physical controls with motors to give tactile feedback about the state of the UI.”
“unsafe electronic door handles so your kids an unable to get out of the car in an emergency”
“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”
“reading about the all the buy backs on r/rivian is disheartening”
“I personally find the R2 to be much more appealing than a Model Y in terms of size, shape, and interior.”
“This is priced appropriately considering total cost of ownership delta against a combustion vehicle.”
“I won't touch it without CarPlay.”
“No CarPlay,UI with toxic translucent floating buttons, "evolving" steering wheel.”
“Haptic steering wheel thumb-wheels instead of actual buttons? Hell no.”
“Rivian calls it a mid-size SUV, but that is straight up bullshit.”
“We're all going to need to buy some R2's if we want the R3X to become a thing.”
“Better fit/finish, also fast, similar cost, no Nazi leader.”
“They are the best EV out in terms of features and comfort and usability.”
“Oh wow it doesn't have Carplay/Android Auto? Yes they definitely differentiated themselves, into me not wanting one anymore”
“I don’t see how Rivian can compete, either on price or features.”
“I'd buy a Rivian R2 right now to replace my Model Y”
“The R2(-D2) livery is a fun touch”
“It's a damn nice looking vehicle.”
Counts come from 1,791,911 Hacker News comments labeled by Claude, November 2025 to October 2026, with data through October 31, 2026. Counts updated 2 Nov 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.