I Bought One

Is there finally a Tesla Model Y killer? Rivian's life depends on it. *Buying a Rivian? Use my referral code and save!* https://rivian.com/configurations/list?reprCode=MEGHAN14796710 *Get THE BEST MICROFIBER EVER MADE at Copland Supply* - https://copland.supply Follow Snazzy Labs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/snazzylabs Follow me on Bluesky - https://snazzy.fm/UW Follow me on Threads - https://snazzy.fm/XV Follow me on Mastodon - https://snazzy.fm/NN Follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/snazzyq The Rivian R2 is the make-or-break electric SUV that decides whether Rivian survives — a sub-$50,000 (eventually sub-$45,000) mid-size EV that's smaller than the R1S but roomier inside than a Tesla Model Y, and after a full day driving it on-road and off-road through Parley's Canyon outside Park City, I bought one. The R2 packs haptic steering-wheel dials, a 1,900-watt inverter, native NACS charging, 4Runner-style rear drop glass, the best suspension under $100K, and a 3.6-second 0-60 that pulls harder from 50–70 than any EV I've driven — but the 4695-cell structural battery and mediocre ~150kW real-world charging are pure last-gen. The real controversy is autonomy: Rivian is promising FSD-style point-to-point self-driving this year on current hardware, while the new in-house RAP (Rivian Autonomy Processor), LiDAR, and a true Level 3 eyes-off system won't reach the R2 you buy today — and SVP James Philbin (backed by ex-Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla talent) all but confirmed it. Tesla is still murdering everyone in the consumer autonomy race, the Kia and Hyundai E-GMP cars still out-charge it, but the genuinely affordable Standard R2 might just be the first real Model Y killer — if Rivian lives long enough to build it. 0:00 The car that makes or breaks Rivian 1:02 Finally, an SUV that isn't a blob 2:47 Buttons that aren't really buttons 4:32 The back seat that actually sold me 6:36 I'm so sick of everything being smart 8:44 5,000 pounds it hides shockingly well 11:02 Some of the best suspension under $100K, period 13:08 The self-driving promises, again 17:42 The one letdown—and I bought it anyway