2027 Rivian R2 first drive: Rivian's second SUV is its best yet

It's not perfect, but Rivian's latest shows this company is playing for keeps.

The Rivian R1, in both its pick 'em up R1T truck form and family-focused R1S SUV shape, has proven to be a strong statement from the plucky EV company based in Normal, IL. While sales volume and profitability still elude the startup, the original design and high quality of both those models show that this was not to be a one-and-done disaster like Fisker.

Rivian's follow-up act is the unimaginatively named R2, this time only available as a two-row, five-seater SUV. It's smaller and less powerful, but a $57,990 starting price for the top-shelf Performance trim makes it substantially cheaper than the $76,990-and-up R1S. This, then, is Rivian's first volume play, and after a day spent behind the wheel, I'm happy to say it's far from a downgrade.

Where the three-row R1S measures a whopping 200 inches long, the new R2 is 15 inches shorter, making it roughly the same size as the ubiquitous Tesla Model Y. That fact alone makes it a more viable choice for many would-be buyers who didn't want something quite so hulking, but that lower price of entry is what will really open up the doors.

Eventually, Rivian will sell an R2 with a base price of $44,990, but that isn't due to hit the market until 2027. At launch, Rivian is again starting on the premium side with the $57,990 Performance with Launch Package. For that, you get a dual-motor all-wheel drive SUV with 656 horsepower, 609 lb-ft of torque and 330 miles of range.

Coming soon after will be the Premium edition, which offers the same range and dual-motor configuration, but drops to 450 hp. Next year's single-motor Standard model will have 350 hp to the rear wheels, and either a 275- or 345-mile range, depending on configuration.

For this test, I was handed the key to a Performance Launch model, which makes that 330 miles range figure from an 88kWh usable battery pack. It charges at a maximum speed of 230kW, which feels a bit anemic compared to the 400kW BMW iX3, but that's still quick enough to get an 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes.

Getting into the R2 is certainly a bit easier than either an R1T or R1S, which require a bit of a climb for many to enter. In the R2, you just open the door and sit down. But don't think that means this isn't a proper off-road machine.

The R2 still offers 9.6 inches of ground clearance and a 25-degree approach angle, with a 26-degree departure angle. During my time in and around Park City, Utah, I ran the R2 through a reasonably challenging off-road course featuring numerous steep ascent