Rivian R2 Event: 7 Big Takeaways From the Seattle Roadshow

Rivian’s buzz has been electrifying as it showcases its latest gems, the R2 and R3X, at Rivian centers nationwide. With the eagerly anticipated Rivian roadshow now hitting the Pacific Northwest, I seized the opportunity, steering my Tesla Model Y southward to Seattle for an up-close encounter.

Join me as I share my insights from the Rivian R2 event, accompanied by plenty of photos of the Rivian R2 display.

1) Rivian R2 event Shows how Big the R2 Will be

Despite being surrounded by many people, the first thing that jumped out at me was how big the R2 is. Well, the second thing really as that tent topper is wild, but we’ll get to that.

Listed at 115.6 in long, the Rivian R2 is shorter than the Tesla Model Y, but you wouldn’t know it up close. Thanks to its traditional SUV boxy design, the Rivian R2 looks big. Since it has a flat roof, it is 2 inches taller than the Model Y at its highest. This will undoubtedly make the interior more roomy and much better for car camping.

Overall, I thought the R2 would be more like the Volvo XC-40, but that now seems to be tiny in comparison.

The R2 looks a lot like the RS, which I like. It wasn’t until I walked over to the RS on display that I realized that the R2 is, in fact, much smaller. Still, on its own, it really shows up and makes a big impression for its (relatively) small SUV footprint.

2) The R2 Tent Topper is Going to Be a Hit

What really jumped out from this Rivian R2 event was the tent topper that was setup. It may be optics but this massive tent topper may have skewed the overall look of the R2 making it appear bigger…or smaller. Either way, the tent is very cool and will surly be a popular add on.

Notable highlights included the glass top that turns into a window when the tent is popped open. There is a pull down blind that doubles as a movie screen for a freaking projector mounted at the top!

The team is still working out details on getting power into the tent topper but, again, it just looks really, really cool and a lot of fun. Another example of Rivian sticking to their motto to “keep the world adventurous forever.”

3) The R2 Interior Looks Great

Now, it could be because I am used to the minimalistic Tesla Model Y interior, but the Rivian R2 interior blew me away. It just looks so much more high-end in comparison (probably why I have altered my Model Y interior so much…)

The dash and dual screens look great, as does the steering wheel with the intuitive scroll buttons.

Although we weren’t allowed to sit in the vehicle, the seats look similar to what is in the R1 and RS which are very comfortable.

Also, can confirm that there are indeed two gloveboxes, an overcompensation as other Rivian models have none. Also noted was the pop out flashlight in the door and ample cargo space throughout.

4) There Are Color Options

To my surprise, the Rivian R2 display also included color swatches. There were options laid out on a table next to the R2, which was a surprise as there is no mention of this on their website.

Speaking with the host, these aren’t finalized and more options are likely on the way. However, it’s great to see these ones in person.

Inspired by outdoor adventures, the color pallets and accompanying trims are called Ocean Coast, Black Mountain, and Forest Edge.

As you may have noticed, I am a fan of greys so Ocean Coast would be my choice (I also love dark wood trim) but am curious to see mockups of all three.

6) The Rivian R3X Looks Like a Ton of Fun

Although not the star of the Rivian R2 event, the R3X was also on display. Interestingly, it looks more inline with the size I was expecting the R2 to be.

As highlighted in why I am considering moving from a Tesla to a Rivian, I prefer the traditional SUV look and capabilities of the R2. That said, the R3X looks like a ton of fun. It looks like a toy car but in a good way. The interior looks very sporty, and the color scheme is pretty unique.

7) The Specs Are Still in The Works

While wrapping up the Rivian R2 event, the host from the R2 special project team fielded questions from the crowd. Someone asked if the charge port was going to move, to which the host polled the audience , asking where people would like to see it. The majority wanted back left, assuming to make Supercharger access easier; however, a pitch for its current back passenger side location followed.

He made a great point that charging for those with a garage is one thing; however, those in larger centers that don’t have this option need to be considered. He explained that curb-side charging is very popular in Europe and expects this to be adopted in North America. This makes a ton of sense, although selfishly, I want to access a Supercharger without taking up two spots. There is, after all, a lot of “Karen’s out there.”

It was great to hear that Rivian is still working out the specs and considering all factors before production. Also great to take in the feedback they receive at these Rivian R2 events and Rivian roadshows they are hosting. It’s great for building a community and understanding what their customers want.

Have You Been to a Rivian R2 event?

Although I had to take a little road trip to see the R2 up close, this Rivian roadshow was so very worth it. As a reservation holder it was great to see this beautiful EV up close and even better to ask questions to those behind the design. Seeing the color options was a bonus,ere and getting to check out the R3X was also a nice add-on.

The popularity of the Rivian R2 display is also a good indication of this EV’s potential. If Rivian plays its cards right, it could be their Tesla Model Y.

What say you? Are there features you would like to see on the R2? Have you been to a similar Rivian R2 event? Any fun surprises that you encountered? Let me know in the comments below.