2027 Rivian R2 Performance First Drive. The Smaller Rivian is a Big Deal. #automotive

The wait is finally over. The all-new 2027 Rivian R2 is one of the most anticipated electric vehicles on the market, and I got behind the wheel of the flagship Dual Motor Performance model during a test drive in Bellevue, Washington. FYI, this video is updated with more accurate braking information. R2 does indeed support blended braking when using the brake pedal. I was initial told that it didn't. Accuracy. It's important. FYI, this is not my normal video review. It’s a consumer test drive much like you would take, only a lot more cameras stuck all around the vehicle. In this first-drive review, Rivian's Dan Lake walks us through the new R2 before I hit the road for a real-world drive and share my impressions. I'll also cover pricing, range, charging, cargo space, interior features, off-road capability, and what separates R2 from its larger sibling, the R1. The R2 Performance packs 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, offers an EPA-estimated 330 miles of range, and starts in the high-$50,000 range. Rivian hopes this smaller, more affordable SUV will bring the brand to a much larger audience. In this video: *First driving impressions *Interior tour and technology *Cargo space and practicality *Pricing and trim breakdown *Range and charging details *Off-road capability *Launch Package features *Rivian R2 vs R1 comparison Is the R2 the electric SUV you’ve been waiting for? Watch and decide. #RivianR2 #Rivian #EVReview #ElectricSUV #RivianR2Performance #FirstDrive #ElectricVehicle #TeslaModelY #CarReview #Driven TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS BY CLICKING THE “BELL” BUTTON AFTER SUBSCRIBING! FOLLOW TOM VOELK ON TWITTER / X ► https://twitter.com/TomVoelk 2027 Rivian R2, Rivian R2 review, Rivian R2 first drive, Rivian R2 Performance, 2027 Rivian R2 Performance, Rivian R2 range, Rivian R2 pricing, Rivian R2 interior, Rivian R2 cargo space, Rivian R2 charging, Rivian R2 test drive, Rivian R2 Bellevue, Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y, electric SUV review, Rivian review, Rivian R2 launch package, NACS charging, dual motor EV, family electric SUV, EV buying guide, Tom Voelk, Driven Car Reviews About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). 00:00 2027 Rivian R2 Performance First Drive Review 00:00 What I’m Covering 1:14 Exterior Tour 2:35 Interior Tour 3:30 Test Drive Impressions 9:00 Pricing and Availability 10:20 Design 11:50 Summary

Added 18 Sept 2026