Engadget's reviewer calls the Rivian R2 "just right," then says shoppers without a reservation should wait for one feature before paying: the Rivian Assistant, which the R2 doesn't have yet. The review also flags a base model that won't arrive until next year, charging that "could be a touch faster," and a Connect+ subscription at $15 a month or $150 a year.
This guide turns the caveats in Engadget's 2027 Rivian R2 review into a decision framework for shoppers who haven't put down a deposit. It also marks what is still unknown, so you don't pay for a guess.
What is unfinished on the R2 today
The review lists four drawbacks:
- The Rivian Assistant isn't available yet.
- Hands-free driving on surface streets "still needs work," though the highway version earns praise.
- The base model won't arrive until next year.
- Charging speed "could be a touch faster."
The Assistant matters most because of how Rivian packages it. According to the review, it's meant to be part of Connect+ and adds enhanced voice controls and texting integration from your phone. It already runs on the R1T and R1S.
Rivian plans to add it to the R2 before the end of the year, possibly this month. The reviewer isn't "a fan of buying promises" and would wait for the feature before paying for a reservation.
Does that matter for daily use? The review doesn't say. The rest of the software held up well: the homegrown infotainment, the Rivian app and Samsung Wallet keyless entry all worked reliably in the reviewer's week with the car. The gap is hands-free voice and texting, so if you rely on those while driving, you'll notice it.
One smaller item: the R2 supports V2L and V2H bidirectional charging, but the review says Rivian hasn't yet released the adapter. If home backup power is part of your plan, treat it as unavailable today.
What the launch-spec R2 gives you now
The reviewer tested a Performance Launch Model with the optional tow package. The review lists 656 hp, a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds and a curb weight around 5,000 pounds. It calls the suspension firm, with good feedback on grip and stability. We cover related ground in do you need a level 2 ev charger? a cost calculator.
The practical case is just as strong:
- The cargo area offers around 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up.
- The frunk adds 5.2 cubic feet and has a drain.
- The second row is roomy for a six-foot adult, and the seats fold 60-40.
- Premium and Performance trims add heated and ventilated seats.
The review puts the price under $60,000, "or much less depending on the spec," but names no exact starting figure. That gap is the heart of the waiting question. The review says the base model arrives next year. It gives no price, date, battery size, motor count or feature list, so treat any base-model spec you see elsewhere as unconfirmed.
The real cost of Connect+
The review puts Connect+ at $15 a month or $150 a year. It includes an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, video streaming and more. The review also says you need it on top of signing into Apple Music, SiriusXM or Spotify. It doesn't say how much of the car still works without it, so ask Rivian directly.
Here is a three-year example using only those two prices:
- Monthly billing: $15 x 36 months = $540
- Annual billing: $150 x 3 years = $450
- Difference: $90 over three years in favor of annual billing
This excludes the vehicle price, taxes, insurance and charging. It also assumes the price stays flat, which the review doesn't promise. Treat $450 to $540 as a floor for software costs, not a forecast.
Three buyers, three answers
These profiles are illustrations, not data. They show how the review's caveats land on different priorities.
The family hauler. This buyer needs rear-seat space and cargo room. The R2's second row and roughly 30 cubic feet behind it suit the job, and the car has LATCH points. The catch: the reviewer had trouble installing their kids' car seats. Removing the rear headrests required a small pin tool, and threading a strap to the loop on the bench was awkward without it. Test your own seats before ordering. If your family can live without the Assistant for a few months, buying now makes sense.
The performance-minded commuter. The Performance trim's 656 hp and 3.6-second sprint are the draw. The review also praises universal hands-free driving on highways, so a long highway commute plays to that strength. The limits are the pending Assistant and the surface-street hands-free work. If you want voice texting from day one, wait until Rivian ships it.
The budget-first shopper. This buyer wants the lowest payment. The review's under-$60,000 figure is not a base-model price, and the base trim is a year out with no published price. Waiting is the sensible default. The risk is that you're waiting for a car whose price and specs are still unannounced, and it may not suit you.
| Buyer profile | Buy now or wait | Main benefit | Main limitation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Family hauler | Buy now, if car seats fit | Roomy second row and about 30 cubic feet of cargo | Headrest removal needs a pin tool; Assistant not yet available | | Performance-minded commuter | Buy now, if voice texting is optional | 656 hp, 3.6-second 0-60, strong highway hands-free driving | Assistant pending; surface-street hands-free needs work | | Budget-first shopper | Wait | May find a lower entry price next year | Base price, specs and exact date are unannounced |
Pre-order checklist
Run these checks before you pay a deposit or confirm an order:
- Assistant status. Ask Rivian whether the Rivian Assistant is live on the R2 today. If not, get a written release window. The review says only "before the end of the year," possibly this month.
- Base-model details. Ask for the base-model price, specs and delivery timing in writing. The review confirms only that it comes next year.
- Connect+ cost. Confirm the current price ($15 a month or $150 a year in the review), what it includes, and which features stop working without it.
- Charging needs. Compare your daily and road-trip routes against the R2's charging speed, which the review says could be faster. Confirm that a home charging setup works for you. If you want V2H, ask about the bidirectional charging adapter.
- Car-seat and family fit. Bring your own car seats to a test drive and install them, including the headrest pin-tool step. Check whether the single driver-side wireless charger covers your family's phone needs.
The decision comes down to your tolerance for unfinished software. If you can live without the Assistant for weeks or months and want the Performance trim's power or the family space, a launch-spec R2 is a strong buy. If price is your first filter, or you want voice and texting from day one, waiting costs only time.
Whichever profile fits, your next action is the same: send Rivian the checklist questions in writing, and pay the deposit only after you have the answers.
