R2 Launch Watch

[J Alynn]

Agreed, although I do like that there is under a $10k price difference between the Standard and the Performance. Hopefully Scout will have a similar differential so the top trim isn't $30-40k above the base trim. Looking at the R2, I'd be going with the Premium trim if I were to order one.

I don’t imagine trims would be but start adding off road tire packs and winches, deco stripes and then it will climb very quickly

 

[J Alynn]

View attachment 14493

Weird they’d want you trying an S1 , different size and field but guess if they get you in the door they have a better shot at selling you “something”

 

[robothero]

Yeah I don't need to demo drive a R1S especially since a bunch of the systems are updated in the R2.

 

[R1TVT]

Weird they’d want you trying an S1 , different size and field but guess if they get you in the door they have a better shot at selling you “something”

If they have pre-built inventory, they will def try to sell it (ahead of building R2's) from the Rivian "R1 Shop". Gotta move that inventory.

 

[cyure]

If they have pre-built inventory, they will def try to sell it (ahead of building R2's) from the Rivian "R1 Shop". Gotta move that inventory.

Especially if you are at the end of the line for an R2, you can lease an R1 while you wait.

 

[RodorW]

Especially if you are at the end of the line for an R2, you can lease an R1 while you wait.

I keep getting those emails (demo and lease an R1), if I could lease an R1 for my current car payment with 0 down and know it would end by the time I’m purchasing my Terra I would. For as much as I like Chevrolet and my car imparticularl I’m beyond over them, the digital experience (since it only gets worse), and the dealership I have to deal with

 

[J Alynn]

If they have pre-built inventory, they will def try to sell it (ahead of building R2's) from the Rivian "R1 Shop". Gotta move that inventory.

Yeah-I get it-I expect that from dealers but unless they have screaming deals on the R1’s, just does t seem like same buyers but probably just how I think about it

 

[R1TVT]

Yeah-I get it-I expect that from dealers but unless they have screaming deals on the R1’s, just does t seem like same buyers but probably just how I think about it

Right - its not always the same buyer. Sometimes it is and sometimes they have some deals though.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

Right - its not always the same buyer. Sometimes it is and sometimes they have some deals though.

As I have mentioned previously I currently own a R1T as well and have a reservation on the R2. I was going to actually switch to a R2 while I wait on the Scout, but from SXSW there was mention of Gen 3 R1's breaking cover by EOY. Undoubtedly they are going to have most if not all the goodies from R2, (god willing the scroll wheels lol) and if this is the case I much prefer the size of R1.

With that being said I may still use my early res to get a Launch Model and flip it if the market allows.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Does anyone know if the R2 has an improved hvac interface so at least the vent directions can be adjusted manually instead of having to navigate the screen?

 

[Scout_Lookout]

Does anyone know if the R2 has an improved hvac interface so at least the vent directions can be adjusted manually instead of having to navigate the screen?

No manual vent adjustment. You still have to go through the infotainment. However, you can control temp and fan speed from the steering wheel in R2.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

R2 colors. Just my opinion but too many “greys” and all kind of the same tone of that makes sense.

View attachment 14174View attachment 14175View attachment 14176View attachment 14177View attachment 14178View attachment 14179View attachment 14180View attachment 14181View attachment 14182

I really dig the colors they chose.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

Awesome to hear the Gen 1 is still getting on, and the fact that its gotten better with age is strong testament to what Rivian has been able to achieve in the EV space in such a short amount of time.

Interestingly I can same the same for my Gen 2 even after having it a year already. However, I heard from Jose (RivianTrackr) yesterday who was at SXSW that the Gen 3 R1'S will be coming out next year. Almost assuredly this timing has to be a direct competition between Rivian and the eventual SM launch.

Therefore, I worry that there won't be enough buyers available between the two companies, like how many each will lose as a result of one another existing because it seems like to me both companies main customer profile is very similar. The only caveat now is R2 which will undoubtedly add a much broader range of buyers for Rivian, but for current R1 owners, Rivian will surely lose buyers to SM.

So the real question I guess at least for us current R1 owners is what does SM need to ensure they do to pull R1 owners from Rivian. For me initially at least, it’s the legacy of the brand and the blend between heritage and modern. But the level of tech that the Gen 3 will undoubtedly have in a tried and true platform I'm familiar with is also quite appealing. Ultimately, I think the deciding factor will be the size difference between the two.

From my perspective I’d say price could be a much bigger deciding factor than size. Side note: I really think I’m going to like the R2 size. Can’t wait to see one in person.

 

[Logan]

No manual vent adjustment. You still have to go through the infotainment. However, you can control temp and fan speed from the steering wheel in R2.

That is disappointing.

Things like this are primary reason that Rivian is not a brand I am considering.

Well, that and their "war on buttons". But that's sort of the same issue, just presenting itself in another way.

Which is a bummer, because I really do like most of the rest of what they do.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

That is disappointing.

Things like this are primary reason that Rivian is not a brand I am considering.

Well, that and their "war on buttons". But that's sort of the same issue, just presenting itself in another way.

Which is a bummer, because I really do like most of the rest of what they do.

I agree. We were hoping that if we decide to replace the Mustang the R2 would be the vehicle for us until a BEV Traveler is available, but we aren’t willing to pay to go backwards in UX. Having a screen interface for almost everything is an incredibly poor design decision.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

I agree. We were hoping that if we decide to replace the Mustang the R2 would be the vehicle for us until a BEV Traveler is available, but we aren’t willing to pay to go backwards in UX. Having a screen interface for almost everything is an incredibly poor design decision.

I understand there are people that prefer to have buttons still to each their own. However, saying that the UX in the R2 is going backwards compared to the Mustang is like saying you prefer a BlackBerry over an iPhone 17 Pro lol!

R2 has some of the most advanced UX when it comes out. One thing that's always puzzled me is are people just constantly changing the HVAC the entire time while they're driving? I keep mine on auto and every now and then I may adjust the temp, but otherwise "I set it and forget it" little inside joke for those who get it.

I have had screen only controls for 4 going on 5 years and its just become the norm. The controls are extremely intuitive and the UX is expertly designed for all users. Furthermore, with R2 having the scroll wheels full adjustment of the HVAC can be done without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel, making those irresistible HVAC buttons obsolete. Screens are just the way of the future like going from analog to digital speedometers.

Don't believe me, just look at my 2025 Genesis GV70 loaner HVAC controls. Yep, aside from temp knobs, screens again.

 

[RodorW]

I understand there are people that prefer to have buttons still to each their own. However, saying that the UX in the R2 is going backwards compared to the Mustang is like saying you prefer a BlackBerry over an iPhone 17 Pro lol!

R2 has some of the most advanced UX when it comes out. One thing that's always puzzled me is are people just constantly changing the HVAC the entire time while they're driving? I keep mine on auto and every now and then I may adjust the temp, but otherwise "I set it and forget it" little inside joke for those who get it.

I have had screen only controls for 4 going on 5 years and its just become the norm. The controls are extremely intuitive and the UX is expertly designed for all users. Furthermore, with R2 having the scroll wheels full adjustment of the HVAC can be done without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel, making those irresistible HVAC buttons obsolete. Screens are just the way of the future like going from analog to digital speedometers.

Don't believe me, just look at 2025 Genesis GV70 loaner HVAC controls. Yep, aside from temp knobs, screens again.
View attachment 14516

The Chevy Bolt that I drive has the majority of its HVAC controls as physical toggles, but also in the screen with one dedicated button that will always take you to the Climate screen. I tend to leave mine in auto but then change heat in AC to manual so I choose not the car and set my ventilation points so the only thing left and auto is really just the fan but that’s because my car tends to favor windshield and feet when I need cool air blowing through the main vents ultimately in the Chevy I wouldn’t mind always leaving it on auto with only changing what I need every now and again if the one thing I need physical controls for daily existed in the car and that is vent position, window, center, and feet. That is the one selection of controls that are not physical and the one that I change two or three times a day. And with having to exit CarPlay and my navigation and music controls to get over to the Climate screen just to change two taps gets frustrating.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

The Chevy Bolt that I drive has the majority of its HVAC controls as physical toggles, but also in the screen with one dedicated button that will always take you to the Climate screen. I tend to leave mine in auto but then change heat in AC to manual so I choose not the car and set my ventilation points so the only thing left and auto is really just the fan but that’s because my car tends to favor windshield and feet when I need cool air blowing through the main vents ultimately in the Chevy I wouldn’t mind always leaving it on auto with only changing what I need every now and again if the one thing I need physical controls for daily existed in the car and that is vent position, window, center, and feet. That is the one selection of controls that are not physical and the one that I change two or three times a day. And with having to exit CarPlay and my navigation and music controls to get over to the Climate screen just to change two taps gets frustrating.

Valid reasoning. But I think as usual Tesla, (and soon with Rivian Assistant) once again has the best solution and that's just tell the car what you want and it will do it. One thing that has been made perfectly clear is SM definitely could not build their vehicles and satisfy the entirety of their potential buyer range without physical buttons lol!

 

[RodorW]

Valid reasoning. But I think as usual Tesla, (and soon with Rivian Assistant) once again has the best solution and that's just tell the car what you want and it will do it. One thing that has been made perfectly clear is SM definitely could not build their vehicles and satisfy the entirety of their potential buyer range without physical buttons lol!

I do think a lot of it falls to the interface the UI design because of my car I need CarPlay so it’s nice to have a button that immediately takes me to the UI for my air-conditioning settings that are not physical, but I would rather not have to completely exit my navigation screen for that I think Chevy could’ve solved it by having the Climate button take you to the Climate screen and then after a couple of seconds with no input, send you back to whatever you were doing. We’ve at least seen with Scout that there will be a physical switch for which vents are active. But if the UI is designed well that switch might not be needed all the time.

I think with a lot of modern cars, especially with the new tech and features there’s a lot of stuff that really just needs personal time to test and fill things out. Like in the Rivian vans I drove from Amazon one tap on the screen would pull up a small sub menu and you could change through all of the air-conditioning and heating settings, but it would never disrupt active navigation or radio.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I understand there are people that prefer to have buttons still to each their own. However, saying that the UX in the R2 is going backwards compared to the Mustang is like saying you prefer a BlackBerry over an iPhone 17 Pro lol!

R2 has some of the most advanced UX when it comes out. One thing that's always puzzled me is are people just constantly changing the HVAC the entire time while they're driving? I keep mine on auto and every now and then I may adjust the temp, but otherwise "I set it and forget it" little inside joke for those who get it.

I have had screen only controls for 4 going on 5 years and its just become the norm. The controls are extremely intuitive and the UX is expertly designed for all users. Furthermore, with R2 having the scroll wheels full adjustment of the HVAC can be done without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel, making those irresistible HVAC buttons obsolete. Screens are just the way of the future like going from analog to digital speedometers.

No, thanks.

I’ve had touchscreen HVAC for the past four years and 90,000 miles in our EVs. We have no interest in buying another vehicle with such an interface.

The Rivian’s wheel and mirror adjustment buried in the screen is another example of terrible UX. I often have to adjust my seat and thus the steering wheel, mirrors, and vents while driving because of a bad back. I can’t do that with the controls buried on the screen. And I can’t use presets because only the starting position is ever the same. Sometimes I need to move the seat forward, or up, or back, or down, or lean the seat differently.

And voice control for such things would be even worse.

Just because something is new doesn’t make it better. “Advanced” isn’t good if it makes the experience worse. And the screen-based controls for everything makes the experience worse for me. So I’ll stick with physical, immediately-accessible controls that are far, far better than buried screen options, thank you.