2027 Rivian R2 Underperforms in Our Real-World Range Test, But That's Not a Deal-Breaker

More than 300 miles of real-world range comes with serious speed, towing strength and trail-ready hardware

written by Angel Sergeev
edited by Steven Ewing
8/6/2026
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What's new: The 2027 Rivian R2 Performance traveled 304 miles in the Edmunds EV Range Test, 26 miles short of its 330-mile EPA estimate.
Why it matters: The R2 gives up some range and efficiency to longer-range rivals like the Tesla Model Y, but it counters with 656 horsepower, strong acceleration, useful towing capacity and genuine off-road capability.
Edmunds says: The R2 is quick, practical and more adventure-ready than most electric SUVs, but buyers of the $58K Performance model should expect closer to 300 miles of real-world range.

The Rivian R2's adventurous styling promises trips well beyond the daily commute, but its real-world range places some limits on those ambitions. A 2027 Rivian R2 Performance with 21-inch wheels traveled 304 miles in the Edmunds EV Range Test, falling 26 miles short of its 330-mile EPA estimate. That's surely disappointing but not really a deal-breaker. More on that in a minute.

That 8% shortfall means you should expect just over 300 miles from this configuration in mixed driving rather than the full figure advertised on the window sticker. The R2 Performance with 21-inch wheels rides on all-season tires, the combination that receives the SUV's highest EPA range estimate. If you opt for 20-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, the expected range figure drops to 307 miles.

Efficiency also fell short in our testing. The EPA rates the R2 at 32 kWh per 100 miles, while our test team observed 33.6 kWh per 100 miles. Lower energy consumption is obviously better because it means the vehicle can travel farther using the same amount of electricity. In our test, the R2 was 4.7% less efficient than its EPA estimate, helping explain the lower range result.

Charging performance partially offsets the shortfall, though. We recorded a peak charging rate of 187 kW and an average of 133 kW, meaning the R2 added 100 miles of range in 15 minutes and 9 seconds. Peak speed here represents the fastest point during a charging session, while the average better reflects the speed drivers will experience throughout a stop. The automaker says the R2 can charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes.

Despite the slightly disappointing range results, there's still plenty to like about the R2. Its ride is composed over rough pavement, its cabin is spacious, its seats are supportive, and its infotainment system is responsive and easy to learn. Acceleration is strong without feeling abrupt, and the large windows provide useful outward visibility. The drawbacks include light, slow steering, noticeable tire noise on some surfaces, and a loud air-conditioning blower that struggled to cool the cabin quickly.

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2027 Rivian R2 pricing in Ashburn, VA

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Suggested price: $59,485
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How we range test

The Edmunds EV Range Test is designed to give you the most accurate representation of a car's real-world range. Rather than getting on the freeway, setting the cruise control at 70 mph, and driving until the battery is depleted, we follow a strict route made up of 60% city and 40% highway driving, with an average speed of 40 mph. This better represents the actual driving buyers do day to day. We also stay within 5 mph of all posted speed limits, drive each car in its most efficient drive setting, and keep the climate control on auto at 72 degrees.

How does the R2 stack up?

The R2's 304-mile result trails several road-focused electric SUVs, but that's easy to understand considering the different purpose of those vehicles. The smaller 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT, for example, traveled 356 miles, giving it a 52-mile advantage, while the all-wheel-drive 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range Launch Series reached 327 miles.

However, the R2 offers considerably more performance and utility than some of those longer-range alternatives. Its two motors produce 656 hp and 609 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 3.6-second sprint to 60 mph. It also has 9.6 inches of ground clearance and can tow 4,400 pounds. By comparison, the Model Y Long Range takes 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, has 6.6 inches of ground clearance, and can tow 3,500 pounds.

Among quicker all-wheel-drive rivals, the R2 traveled 11 miles farther than the 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance and 22 miles farther than the 320-hp Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD. The Tesla is slightly quicker, with a quoted 3.3-second 0-to-60-mph time, but the Rivian provides more towing capacity and ground clearance for unpaved roads. While the R2 cannot match the longest-range models in its class, it combines more than 300 tested miles with acceleration, towing ability and trail capability that most efficiency-focused competitors simply do not offer.

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by Angel Sergeev

Angel Sergeev is a seasoned automotive journalist with 15+ years of experience covering the industry. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he began writing in 2010 while studying transportation engineering. His work has appeared on WorldCarFans, Motor1.com (U.S. and U.K. editions), InsideEVs, MSN, HotCars, duPont Registry and more, spanning everything from EVs and classic cars to broader industry topics. He currently drives a 2021 Volkswagen ID 4 and keeps a fully restored 1993 Ford Probe V6 as a weekend project, while dreaming of adding a transaxle-era Porsche to the garage someday soon.

edited by Steven Ewing

Steven Ewing is Edmunds' director of editorial content. An automotive journalist for more than half of his life, Ewing's been on staff at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog, Motor1.com, CNET, and he was the U.S. correspondent for Top Gear magazine. He's also contributed to publications like Automobile magazine, Car and Driver, The Drive, Jalopnik, Porsche Panorama, and more. Ewing has worked in the automotive industry since 2003. From testing prototype cars in the Arctic Circle to spilling a beer on a Formula 1 driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (oops), he's always got an interesting story to tell.

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