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Rivian

In this section of Torque News we report the latest news and developments about Rivian electric vehicles and trucks. Rivian is an American electric vehicle automaker and automotive technology company founded in 2009. Rivian is building an electric sport utility vehicle and pickup truck on a "skateboard" platform that can support future vehicles or be adopted by other companies.

Close-up of a Rivian R1T wheel with Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tire and yellow brake caliper.
A Rivian Owner Swapped To Michelin Pilot Sport S5 Tires And Says The R1S Finally Feels Sharper Than The OEM 22s
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian owner put more than 2,000 miles on Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires after coming out of a winter 20-inch all-terrain setup. The early verdict is clear.
Rivian R1S
NHTSA is Investigating 115,000 Rivian R1T and R1S Vehicles After Drivers Claim a Defect Caused Them to Lose Control
By Mary Conway on
The drivers say that a rear toe link separated and they lost control of the SUV. One of the complaints involved a vehicle that actually crashed.
Gray Rivian R1T parked on a city street with “don’t buy junk” graffiti painted on the side.
A Rivian R1T Owner Spray-Painted “Don’t Buy Junk” Across His Truck and Parked It Across From Rivian’s Denver Showroom After a 12-Volt Battery Dispute
By Noah Washington on
A furious Rivian owner spray-painted “Don’t Buy Junk” across his R1T and parked it directly across from Rivian’s downtown Denver showroom. His complaint centers on a disputed battery repair bill, but the bigger story is what it says about EV ownership.
Rear view of Mike's Rivian R1S showing minor bumper damage after being struck from behind on the highway.
Rivian R1S Rear-Ended by Audi A4 at Roughly 35 MPH Leaves Owner Impressed With Rivian’s Crash Protection
By Aram Krajekian on
A rear-end collision involving a Rivian R1S is fueling new conversations about distracted driving, EV weight, and why some modern SUVs feel almost tank-like during impacts.
Rivian R2 Launches on June 9th, 2026
One of the Most Important EVs of 2026, the Rivian R2, Launches on June 9th
By Mary Conway on
After months of testing, Rivian announced today that the R2 will be available on June 9th. "Order invitations start going out, demo drives begin and the first R2 vehicles start arriving in driveways across America."
White 2027 Rivian R2 driving on a two-lane road through green hills in a front three-quarter action view.
Rivian's Pet Patent Is Bigger Than Dog Mode, But Owners Should Read the Fine Print
By Noah Washington on
Rivian's new animal-interaction patent describes a vehicle that can read a pet tag, adjust cabin settings, monitor movement, and treat the animal like a real occupant.
White 2027 Rivian R2 parked on a wooded trail in a front three-quarter view.
Rivian R2’s Quiet Edge Over R1T/R1S Is Charging Math
By Noah Washington on
The Rivian R2 may not beat the R1T or R1S on size, power, or presence. But for buyers who charge at home, park daily, and need fewer ownership headaches, it may be the Rivian that makes the most sense.
Rivian R1S towing an Airstream trailer at a desert campsite with mountains in the background.
A Rivian R1S Towed a 4,000-Lb Airstream Through Mountains, and Speed Was the Villain
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian R1S owner towed an Airstream through the Sierra and logged every leg. The surprise was not that the range dropped. It was how useful a 140-mile planning floor became.
White Rivian R2 parked under trees with a rooftop cargo box in a side-profile view.
According To Rivian's AMA The R2's Biggest Feature May Be the Software It Hasn't Received Yet
By Noah Washington on
Rivian's R2 software AMA made the sales pitch clearer: the SUV should improve after delivery. That is exciting, but buyers need to know which features are ready, which are on the roadmap, and which depend on future hardware.
Blue Rivian R1T towing an off-road camper trailer while parked beside EV charging stations.
A Rivian R1T’s 1.10 mi/kWh Flagstaff Climb Explains Why EV Towing Is a Charger Problem Disguised as a Range Problem
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian R1T Dual Performance Max pulled a 4,500-pound trailer to Flagstaff and averaged 1.10 mi/kWh on the climb. Torque News checked the math, and the useful lesson is not about the tow rating.
2026 Rivian R2
The Rivian R2 Configurator Is Live, And One Customer Got A Glimpse In California, Seeing Even More Than Company Let On
By Tim Healey on
The online configurator for the Rivian R2 is live, and one customer went all the way to Palo Alto, California to see even more of the R2, including things the company hasn't yet talked about.
The Modern Refueling Sanctuary
Overcoming the Electric Vehicle Range Myth as Charging Speed Dictates Market Leadership
By Rob Enderle on
Discover why the myth of range anxiety is crumbling as savvy electric vehicle buyers prioritize charging speed, finally aligning performance with the practical realities of the modern driver’s lifestyle.
A green Rivian R1T electric pickup towing a white and black Brinkley travel trailer on a gravel lot.
A Rivian R1T Towed a 30-Foot Camper to Prescott, but the Real Test Was Charging After the Campground Said No
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian R1T owner towed a 30-foot Brinkley camper from near Phoenix to Prescott, where his campground forbade EV charging. A nearby Tesla destination charger and the downhill return changed the whole trip.
Silver Rivian R1T electric pickup driving past blurred greenery in a side profile view.
A Rivian R1T Owner Locked His Phone and Key Card Inside With No Cell Service, Showing the Backcountry Risk of Digital Keys
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian R1T owner says he was locked out in a remote area with his phone and key card inside. His problem went beyond the locked truck. Getting back in depended on connection, identity verification, and outside help.
Silver Rivian R1T parked on a sandy beach near the water.
Rivian R1T Registrations Show Strong Coastal Adoption But Weak Penetration In America’s Core Truck States
By Noah Washington on
Rivian R1T demand is strongest in EV-friendly and outdoor-recreation markets, while America's core truck states still belong to high-volume gas pickups. The gap says everything about who is actually replacing a work truck.
2026 Rivian R2 in Rivian's HQ parking lot
I Stopped At Rivian HQ in Irvine To See If There Were Any R2s in The Parking Lot, And Took These Pictures
By Armen Hareyan on
A San Diego Rivian reservation holder detours to Rivian HQ in Irvine and discovers several R2s in the parking lot, sparking urgent questions about when reservation holders will finally get to order theirs.
A sleek, gray 2026 Rivian R1S is parked on a wet driveway in front of a rustic wooden structure. Bare trees and a calm, overcast sky create a serene backdrop.
2026 Rivian R1S Owner Walks Away After 3 Months and 10,000 Miles Due to Repeated Half Shaft Failures
By Aram Krajekian on
This Rivian R1S owner expected cutting-edge performance and capability, but early issues quickly changed that experience into something far more frustrating than they ever anticipated.
White Rivian R2 electric SUV driving on a scenic mountain road under cloudy skies.
Rivian Has No R2 Configurator 2 Months After Reveal, So a Fan Made One That Just Works
By Noah Washington on
Rivian says the R2 configurator is coming soon, but one impatient fan already built his own. The unofficial tool shows trims, colors, wheels, interiors, and estimated pricing before Rivian’s public version arrives.
Rivian Versus Scout Motors Is The New Off Road EV Rivalry Benefitting Car Buyers
Scout Motors Has a Clear Mechanical Edge Over Rivian's Off-Road Hardware, and AI Claims This Part Is Softened in The Media
By Armen Hareyan on
Rivian has owned the luxury electric off-road market for years, but now Scout Motors is back with a rugged, heritage-backed vehicle that is forcing Rivian to rethink everything from battery range to price tags. This rivalry is good for your valet.
Green Rivian R1S driving through a downtown city street, shown from a low front three-quarter angle.
Rivian R1S Owner Swapped Pirellis for Michelin Defenders and Lost 25% Efficiency
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian R1S owner expected smoother, quieter Michelin Defenders. Instead, his EV efficiency dropped by 25%, proving tires can change an electric SUV overnight.
Rivian R2 Starts Production
Rivian Offers Discounts on R1s Now that R2 is in Production
By Mary Conway on
Despite a tornado damaging the main plant in Normal, Illinois, the long-awaited R2 is finally in production. The demand for the smaller SUV is good news for buyers who want a discount on a R1 truck or SUV.
White Rivian R2 driving on a road next to a side-by-side comparison of Rivian R1 and R2 roof crossbar mounts.
Rivian Test Engineer Says R1 Crossbars Won't Mount on R2 Despite Similar Look
By Noah Washington on
Rivian's R1 crossbars cost up to $720. The mounting points look identical to the R2's. But a test engineer confirmed they won't physically fit, and Rivian is still selling them with no R2 alternative.

Rivian L2 EV Chargers at Yosemite
Attorney Says Trying To Charge His EV at Yosemite at a Rivian L2 Chargers Showed Him What's Wrong With How We're Building EV Charging Infrastructure
By Armen Hareyan on
A New York attorney's failed charging attempt at Yosemite Rivian L2 Charger put a spotlight on a problem that EV drivers across the country already know too well. The technology that finally worked was not smarter. It was simpler.
Rivian R2 cargo area measurements showing 36-inch headroom, 36-inch rear opening height, and 34-inch width at upper and lower points.
R2 Buyers Measured the Cargo and Found More Space Than Model Y, But the 29-Inch Hatch Opening Excludes Large Dog Crates.
By Noah Washington on
A Rivian Forum's user measured the R2's cargo area at a preview event: 41 inches wide, 36.5 inches deep, but only a 29-inch hatch opening. Here's what fits, what doesn't, and how it compares to the Model Y and Mach-E.
Rivian R2 electric SUV driving on a two-lane road with rolling green hills in the background.
4XL Driver Says Rivian R2 Fits Where Other EVs Don’t, but Its Tight Cargo Opening and Closed Tech Stance Still Raise Questions
By Noah Washington on
4XL Driver Says Rivian R2 Fits Where Other EVs Don’t, but the First Version Buyers Get Is Far From the $45,000 Promise
2026 Rivian R2 SUV
Denver Gets a Sneak Peek of the 2026 Rivian R2 - Block Party Draws Crowd to See the Smaller SUV
By Mary Conway on
Rivian invited journalists to see the smaller R2 before the potential buyers could experience the all new SUV. Fans started lining up hours before the Rivian space's special event showcasing the SUV that will go on sale this year.

Forest green Rivian R1S Gen 2 electric SUV driving through downtown city street with glass skyscrapers in background
Rivian R1S Owner Hits 90,000 Miles In One Year, Reports 2.74 mi/kWh And $14K Fuel Savings Running 300 Miles A Day
By Noah Washington on
The R1S is being hailed as a potential "Lincoln Navigator replacement" for the chauffeur industry, provided Rivian can fix its glitches. From inaccurate in-car efficiency data to a "ghosting" sales process.
White Rivian R2 compact electric SUV concept on display in Rivian design studio alongside teal R2 and R1S prototypes with design sketches on wall in background
Rivian’s R2 Interior Was Decided by the CEO, Not the Market or Customers
By Noah Washington on
Rivian's lead interior designer, Andrew Morandi, has confirmed that the R2’s minimalist, screen-heavy interior was a direct choice by CEO RJ Scaringe. While the design team explored physical buttons and exposed cupholders.
2027 Rivian R2 electric SUV driving on a dusty dirt trail with rolling green hills in the background
Rivian’s R2 Has an Off Road Hardware Problem Nobody Wants to Say Out Loud
By Noah Washington on
The upcoming Rivian R2 is losing the "locker" to save on costs. Unlike its big brother, this SUV skips mechanical locking differentials, relying instead on its brakes to manage wheelspin.
Rivian R1S electric SUV front view parked in a forest setting with soft sunlight
6-Foot Rivian Fan Says He Was Taller Than the R2’s Roofline but Still Shocked by How Roomy It Felt Inside
By Noah Washington on
Standing taller than the roof of the new Rivian R2 didn't stop one fan from being blown away by its interior room. It turns out shrinking the frame doesn't mean shrinking the space, if you can handle the lower, car-like stance.
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