Which American Mid-Size EV SUV Is Best?

Rivian wants a seat at the big kid’s table, and the new R2 is its entry ticket. With its new, smaller, and more affordable SUV, the California-based startup is entering the extremely competitive mid-size segment where the Tesla Model Y currently reigns supreme.

With millions of units sold since its introduction in 2019, the Model Y certainly has a lot going for it, but competition in the segment has significantly heated up in the past few years, with models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Cadillac Lyriq, and Ford Mustang Mach-E hitting the market. 

That’s not all, though. The newly introduced BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo EX60 will also compete over much of the same public, making the Rivian R2’s job even harder. However, the R2 has an ace up its sleeve: It’s billed as an adventure-oriented electric SUV with best-in-class approach and departure angles, making it the logical choice for anyone who’s a little tired of all the car-like crossovers out there.

So, with all this being said, let’s see how the new Rivian R2 compares to the Tesla Model Y.

Photo by: Patrick George

Size

The R2 is based on Rivian’s all-new mid-size platform, which will underpin several models going forward, including the smaller R3 and R3X. As a result, it’s smaller than the R1S and R1T that put the company on the map, but the R2’s dimensions are similar to those of Tesla’s Model Y.

It’s 185.9 inches long, 84.7 inches wide, 66.9 inches tall, and has a 115.6-inch wheelbase. The R2 is slightly larger than the Model Y in almost every metric–it’s 0.9 in wider, 3.1 in taller, and its wheelbase is 1.8 in longer. However, Tesla’s crossover trumps the R2’s overall length by 2.8 inches.

In terms of cargo capacity, the R2 shines. Its rear trunk has a 28.7 cubic feet volume, and its front trunk can fit 5.2 cu ft of stuff. With the dual glove boxes and all sorts of storage spaces scattered throughout the interior, Rivian’s mid-size SUV has a total cargo capacity of 90.1 cu ft. The Tesla Model Y tops out at 75.5 cu ft, with a 29 cu ft rear trunk and a 4.1 cu ft frunk.

Battery And Range

All of the Rivian R2 versions available initially will be powered by the same 87.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. A smaller battery pack is reserved for the entry-level Standard Rear-Wheel Drive model, but Rivian hasn’t disclosed its capacity yet.

2026 Tesla Model Y Standard

Photo by: Andrei Nedelea

The large battery available from the get-go can store more energy than any of the packs fitted to the Tesla Model Y, which tops out with a 79 kWh battery.

The $45,000 Rivian R2 Standard Rear-Wheel Drive, which will go on sale late next year with a smaller battery, is advertised as having over 275 miles of range. Meanwhile, the 87.9 kWh pack available now enables a Rivian-estimated driving range of up to 345 miles in the R2 Standard Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range, and 330 miles in the R2 Premium All-Wheel Drive and R2 Performance All-Wheel Drive.

(arranged in ascending order)

Charging

2026 Rivian R2

Photo by: Rivian

Rivian says the R2 can charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes, but exact power numbers haven’t been announced. The company didn’t mention the high-voltage battery’s working voltage, but it’s likely a 400-volt system, just like the R1 and Tesla Model Y.

Thanks to its native NACS charging port, the Rivian R2 will be able to use most of the Tesla Superchargers in North America without an adapter, just like the Model Y.

Tesla says the Model Y can add up to 182 miles of range in 15 minutes from a Supercharger, in the case of the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive trim. Meanwhile, the Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive is advertised as adding up to 144 miles of range in 15 minutes.

Power

Photo by: Patrick George

The rear-wheel drive Rivian R2’s electric motor is rated at 350 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-to-60 miles per hour sprint in 5.9 seconds. The Rivian R2 Premium, which has dual-motor all-wheel drive, ups the power and torque figures to 450 hp and 537 lb-ft, bringing down the 60 mph sprint time to 4.6 seconds.

Then, there’s the R2 Performance. With 656 hp and 609 lb-ft, it can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

By comparison, the base Tesla Model Y RWD can get to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, courtesy of a 295 hp rear motor. The Model Y Premium RWD is faster, reaching 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the Model Y Premium AWD shaves that time down to 4.6 seconds. Meanwhile, the top-spec Model Y Performance is the fastest of the bunch, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.3 seconds.

Off-Road Capability

2026 Rivian R2

Photo by: Rivian

Here’s where the Rivian R2 outperforms all of its rivals. Despite not having air suspension, the American-made mid-size electric SUV shines when it comes to ground clearance and approach and departure angles, enabling it to tackle harder obstacles than any of its competitors.

The R2 has 9.6 in of ground clearance, 3 in more than the Tesla Model Y RWD. Rivian quotes a 25-degree approach angle, a 26-degree departure angle, and a 20.6 break over angle, claiming these are best-in-class numbers.

Tesla doesn’t publish these numbers, likely because the Model Y is almost exclusively an asphalt rider. But owners have estimated that the crossover’s approach angle is 18 degrees and its departure angle is 17 degrees.

In this case, the bigger the angle, the better it is for off-roading, and the Rivian R2 wins hands down. However, it’s worth noting that, just like the Model Y, the R2 doesn’t have mechanical locking differentials and relies on its electronic aids to keep it moving when the going gets tough.

The entry-level Rivian R2 Standard has four driving modes: All-Purpose, Conserve, Snow, and Sport. Moving up to the Premium trim adds an All-Terrain mode, while the Performance comes with additional Rally, Soft Sand, and Launch modes.

Features

2026 Rivian R2

Photo by: Rivian

All Rivian R2 models come from the factory with a NACS charge port located at the rear of the car, a digital instrument cluster for the driver, a central infotainment touchscreen, two glove boxes, and the automaker’s in-house processors. That said, none of the trims offer a spare tire or a tow package as standard

The R2 follows a similar trim scheme to the Tesla Model Y. The entry-level R2 Standard comes with a Black Crater interior, 19-inch all-season wheels and tires, a 12-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, an 8-way power passenger seat, heater front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an audio system with five speakers and two subwoofers

Upgrade to the Premium trim, and you get an upgraded interior with Birch wood accents, a Premium audio system with 9 speakers, 2 midwoofers and 2 subwoofers, a rear drop glass, matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beams, tow hooks, and Rivian’s signature Torch flashlight integrated into the driver door. 20-inch all-season wheels are also part of the standard kit.

Photo by: Tesla

The top-spec Performance adds semi-active suspension, 21-inch all-season wheels, and yellow brake calipers and exterior badging. What’s more, the limited edition Launch Package includes lifetime access to Rivian’s Autonomy+ hands-free driving assistance system, a special Rivian Green anodized key fob, and the tow package that enables the R2 to tow up to 4,400 pounds.

In contrast, the Tesla Model Y has a single screen up front, and the Premium and Performance trims come with a rear passenger touchscreen. The entry-level models come with cloth seats and a basic audio setup without FM radio.

Both Rivian’s Autonomy+ and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are currently hands-off, eyes-on systems, so still Level 2 on the SAE’s Levels of Driving Automation Chart. That said, while Tesla is pushing ahead with its vision-only approach, Rivian’s R2 will be available with a lidar unit later this year, which will eventually enable hands-off, eyes-off driving.

Towing

Except for the R2 Performance with the Launch Package, none of the R2 trims come standard with Autonomy+ or the tow package, but they can be ordered as optional extras. The tow package enables a 4,400-pound towing capacity for the R2, whereas the Tesla Model Y is limited to 3,500 lbs.

Price

The Tesla Model Y is one of the best-priced EVs out there, but the Rivian R2 matches it on some trims. The most affordable R2, the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive, is priced from $46,495, while the top-spec R2 Performance All-Wheel Drive with the Launch Package goes for $59,485.

The cheapest Tesla Model Y, the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive, previously known as the Standard, starts from $41,630, which is a lot more affordable than what Rivian has managed to do. However, as you climb the trim ladder, the differences diminish to just a few hundred dollars, with the Tesla Model Y Performance retailing for $59,130, just $355 less than the Rivian R2 Performance.

Conclusion

It’s clear that Rivian has pulled all the stops to make the R2 a competitive vehicle in one of the most crowded segments of the American automotive market. The R2 promises to deliver more adventure-packed trips, more cargo space, and more towing capacity than its arch nemesis, the Tesla Model Y.

But let’s not forget that Tesla is still the king of EVs stateside, so it still packs a punch when it comes to pricing. For budget-minded car buyers who only want a dependable and efficient EV as a daily driver, the R2 might be a little too much. For people who want something different, something that can tackle a mild off-road course, the R2 should tick all the right boxes.

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