A comparison test of the 2027 Rivian R2 Performance and 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance found two quick electric SUVs with distinct strengths. The R2 stands out for its spacious interior, polished design and comfortable ride, while the Model Y is more agile on winding roads and offers more advanced assisted driving.
The tested R2 cost $61,485, including Launch Green paint. It came with the Launch package, which includes hands-free driving assistance and a tow package. The Model Y Performance cost $63,194 with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) added for three years. Rivian plans to offer a less expensive R2 starting at $46,485 next year, but the model launched for 2027 in Performance trim.
Inside, the Rivian felt more upscale, with layered materials and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen alongside an 11.5-inch driver display. Its rear cabin was notably roomier: the test team fit 10 carry-on suitcases in the cargo area, compared with seven in the Tesla. The R2’s rear window can also lower into the liftgate. The Model Y counters with an 8-inch rear touchscreen and a feature-rich infotainment system, but its sloping roof limits rear headroom and cargo capacity.
The R2’s dual motors produce 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque. The Model Y has 510 horsepower. Despite the difference, their acceleration figures were close: the Tesla reached 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, two-tenths ahead of the Rivian. The R2 completed the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 126 mph, edging the Tesla by a tenth of a second, while the Model Y’s top speed is higher at 153 mph versus 130 mph.
Their driving characters differ more clearly on the road. The Model Y feels taut and responsive through corners, with strong grip and limited body roll, but its ride is firm even in the softer damper setting. The R2 is less composed when pushed hard through bends, yet rides more comfortably around town. Its suspension can sound noisy over rough pavement, and the boxier body generates more wind noise at highway speeds.
The R2 also has more ground clearance—9.6 inches compared with the Model Y’s 6.4 inches—giving it an advantage on rougher routes. Its lowest regenerative-braking setting remains strong, whereas the Tesla’s reduced setting provides a gentler alternative.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system was judged more comprehensive, handling trips from departure to destination with little driver input. Rivian’s Autonomy+ is currently aimed mainly at highway use and does not yet work with navigation; the company plans to add point-to-point capability next year. In the test, its lane changes were abrupt and its steering required frequent small corrections.
The R2 Performance has an 88-kWh battery and an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles with 21-inch wheels, falling to 307 miles with 20-inch wheels. It covered 260 miles in a 75-mph highway test, or 220 miles with the smaller wheels and all-terrain tires. The Model Y’s 81-kWh battery is rated for 306 miles, and it traveled 270 miles in the same highway test.
Rivian’s peak charging rate is 230 kilowatts; it took 39 minutes to charge from 10 to 90 percent in the test, averaging 119 kilowatts. The Model Y’s stated peak is 250 kilowatts. The available source material ends before giving the Tesla’s measured charging time.
Sources: Car and Driver.