The Rivian R2 looks good on the internet. In person at Rivian Venice? It hits different.
I already own a Rivian R1S Gen 2 — Ocean Coast interior, and I’m genuinely happy with it. So I wasn’t going to Venice to be impressed. Plus I’ve seen it numerous times. I went because I needed to sit inside it, and give you an honest take. Full video is coming, but here’s what I walked away thinking.
The R2 Colors Are the First Decision You Need to Make
Five colors on display — Glacier White, Launch Green, Midnight, Catalina Cove, and Half Moon Grey. Seeing them all in person in the same room is a completely different experience than picking from swatches online.
Every color reads differently depending on the lighting, and the Venice location has great natural light that shows them off well. I’ll get into which ones stood out in the full video — but trust me, you want to see these in person before you order.
What It’s Actually Like to Sit Inside the Rivian R2
This is where it gets interesting. The interior feel, the new steering wheel controls, the way everything is laid out — it’s clearly a Rivian, but it’s also clearly its own thing. I spent time actually playing with the controls, not just glancing at a static display.
Coming from the R1S, the R2 feels purpose-built for a different buyer. It’s not trying to be the R1S at a lower price. It’s doing its own thing — and that’s actually a good sign for the people this vehicle is designed for.
The Rivian Venice Location Is Worth the Visit
The space itself is solid. Clean, well-designed, great ambience. They’ve even got a workspace area if you want to bring your laptop and spend some time there — which honestly says a lot about how Rivian is thinking about the ownership experience beyond just selling you a car.
If you’re in SoCal and even remotely curious about the R2, go. See it in person. No pressure environment, and you’ll walk away with a much clearer picture of whether this is your next vehicle.
Should R1S Owners Care About the R2?
Honest answer — I left still happy with my R1S Gen 2. The R2 isn’t making me want to trade down. But that’s not who the R2 is for.
If you’ve been watching Rivian from the sidelines because the R1S price felt out of reach, the R2 is the vehicle that changes that equation. It looked compelling in renders. It looks better in person. And based on everything I saw and felt in that seat, I think a lot of people are going to be very happy with this one.
Full video is coming — I’ve got a lot more to break down. In the meantime, which color are you leaning toward? Drop it in the comments below.
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