Rivian R2 Experiences

[maynard]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

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View attachment 18595

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The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

Very cool!

 

[cyure]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

View attachment 18593


View attachment 18595

View attachment 18597

View attachment 18596

The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

Wow! I love following your adventures.

 

[J Alynn]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

View attachment 18593


View attachment 18595

View attachment 18597

View attachment 18596

The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

Love it. I always know I’ll learn something from you

 

[Scoutsie]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

View attachment 18593


View attachment 18595

View attachment 18597

View attachment 18596

The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

I don’t know, this reads like ad copy for a dang R2. The photos are composed like they’re meant for ads. Sounds like this isn’t in the category of “regretted purchase” at this time. That’s awesome!

 

[Scout_Lookout]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

View attachment 18593


View attachment 18595

View attachment 18597

View attachment 18596

The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

You did the GWT on street tires?! You're brave Space, did y'all air down any? The pictures look fantastic and I hope Rivian see's them because you will definitely make the monthly newsletter. Glad to see you are enjoying the R2 I would absolutely say you are the right owner for one. I Look forward to your next adventure.

 

[R1TVT]

We took the R2 on an off-road adventure today.
There’s an old, 50-mile wagon road between Williams, AZ and Jerome, AZ. Some parts are paved, some are gravel, and some are rated 6/10 in off-road difficulty.

View attachment 18594

View attachment 18590

We encountered a Ford Bronco with 37” tires coming up the mountain while we were going down. But the rest of the road was empty until very near Jerome where the side-by-side rentals were tearing up the mountain desert.

View attachment 18591

We didn’t get as many photos as we might have wanted since it was just the two of us and my partner had me driving while she was spotting.

View attachment 18593


View attachment 18595

View attachment 18597

View attachment 18596

The full, 120+ mile drive took us about 5.5 hours to complete.

Conclusion:

The R2 is a decent off-road SUV straight from the factory. We have the 32” AS street tires on it, not ATs. It doesn’t have a rear locker. Its clearance (9.6 inches) isn’t the very best on the market. Its approach (25 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (20.6 degrees) angles are nothing to write home about.

But its short wheelbase and fantastic pedal control give it the ability to maneuver around obstacles it can’t climb over. We found ourselves winding between the bigger boulders, slipping around drop-offs, and squeezing between obstacles. We only really had one tense moment when the step you see in the last two photos was too big a drop for the departure angle of the R2. We ended up moving a few rocks around to give us less of a drop-off. My partner was too nervous to capture a video. I tried to set up a USB drive in the Rivian so its cameras could capture video, but it didn’t do it. I’ll have to figure that out at another time.

Overall, I love the engineering and how the vehicle performs on and off-road. We didn’t aim to get a lifted Jeep with 37” tires that can climb telephone poles; we wanted a medium-sized SUV that could take us where we wanted and needed to go. And that’s what we got.

I’m still not thrilled with the interface, but it’s absolutely a capable and fantastic vehicle for both road tripping and off-road adventures.

Does your R2 have multiple drive modes like the R1? We're you in Off-Road mode? I'm thinking you may have been given the comment about pedal sensitivity & control. Looks like a cool place!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

You did the GWT on street tires?! You're brave Space, did y'all air down any? The pictures look fantastic and I hope Rivian see's them because you will definitely make the monthly newsletter. Glad to see you are enjoying the R2 I would absolutely say you are the right owner for one. I Look forward to your next adventure.

We didn't air down. There was only one spot where the tires slipped a bit and it was coming up out of that gully you see in the first photos. It's down, up, and a sharp turn to the right all at once. I took it at the wrong angle on my first approach and had to back out a bit so the turn wasn't as tight.

I might post over on the Rivian forum.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Does your R2 have multiple drive modes like the R1? We're you in Off-Road mode? I'm thinking you may have been given the comment about pedal sensitivity & control. Looks like a cool place!

It does. We were in Off-Road, All-Terrain mode most of the time. There are only three sub-modes in Off-Road. I put it in soft sand mode where I got some wheel slippage because that turns off traction control.

 

[Sisko99]

Apologies. I meant to grab a photo yesterday and then totally forgot.
Next time I pull it out with the R2 I’ll get a better photo of the side view.

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Here it is with the Lightning:

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How much does your tent trailer weigh? I'm curious how it might compare to my car trailer with my car on it.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

How much does your tent trailer weigh? I'm curious how it might compare to my car trailer with my car on it.

Its GVWR is 2904 pounds (1317 kg) and dry weight is about 2328 pounds (1056 kg). It was closer to the dry weight than the maximum weight.

Note that for towing on a highway at a mostly-constant speed, the weight matters much less than the drag. For stop-and-go and mountain climbing, the weight starts to matter more.

 

[robothero]

woke up this morning with a text notifying me that I can now order my R2. Guess its decision time.

 

[cyure]

woke up this morning with a text notifying me that I can now order my R2. Guess its decision time.

Keep us posted!

 

[robothero]

I am leaning pretty strongly towards not ordering at this time, but still have a bit to think about it.

 

[J Alynn]

woke up this morning with a text notifying me that I can now order my R2. Guess its decision time.

Good luck-time to roll the dice and see if you make the right call

 

[robothero]

Good luck-time to roll the dice and see if you make the right call

I think given my recent change of situation (fully remote instead of 50+ mile daily commute), using the Rivian down payment $$$ on some other things and/or saving for the Scout is going to be a better option!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

For us, there was no deadline on the ordering. We had our invitation early enough in the year that we could have ordered for a July delivery. We just weren’t ready.

 

[robothero]

For us, there was no deadline on the ordering. We had our invitation early enough in the year that we could have ordered for a July delivery. We just weren’t ready.

That's good to know it doesn't expire (theoretically), could always change my mind if my car breaks down or something.

 

[Sisko99]

Its GVWR is 2904 pounds (1317 kg) and dry weight is about 2328 pounds (1056 kg). It was closer to the dry weight than the maximum weight.

Note that for towing on a highway at a mostly-constant speed, the weight matters much less than the drag. For stop-and-go and mountain climbing, the weight starts to matter more.

Thanks for the info. My normal tow load is around 4k lbs (1k trailer, 3k car). Coefficient of drag shouldn't be TOO bad.....since it's an open deck and the car is fairly aerodynamic. 'Course...if I end up putting a wing on the back of the car....that could be an issue. lol. I tend to have a mix of driving types when I tow. Starts out on the highway....then it's always off highway or hilly when I get closer to my destinations.

Still...good info to have!