Rivian R2 uses up to 26% more energy than Model Y in real-world test

A new test raises questions about how far a Rivian R2 will actually go on a charge compared to a Tesla Model Y. On paper, the two electric SUVs look nearly identical: the EPA rates the R2 Performance at 105 MPGe combined, the same as the Model Y Performance, with a slight edge in city driving and a longer total range (330 miles versus 306). But when reviewers at Out of Spec Reviews drove both vehicles side by side on the same roads at the same speeds, the R2 used 18% to 26% more energy at every speed tested, from 50 to 80 mph. At highway speeds especially, the gap was large: at 80 mph, the R2 managed roughly 2.2 to 2.5 miles per kWh, while the Model Y got 3.1 to 3.3.

Part of the mismatch traces back to how EPA ratings get made. Automakers can choose between a cheaper, simpler test method or a longer, more detailed one that better captures real-world conditions like highway speeds and temperature extremes. Rivian appears to have used the more thorough method, which may have produced a rosier number than what drivers actually experience.

There is an upside for R2 owners: it charges impressively fast, holding a peak charging rate that added 48% of battery capacity in 15 minutes, better than the Model Y manages. So the R2 trades some driving efficiency for quicker charging stops. Anyone cross-shopping these two SUVs should treat the official range and efficiency numbers as a starting point, not a guarantee, especially for highway-heavy driving.