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Rivian R2 Crushes 100°F Heat Test: Zero Performance Drop
The 2027 Rivian R2 Is Shockingly Fast for an Electric SUV
Why This Matters: Electric SUVs Are Getting Scary Quick
Imagine a family SUV that can beat most sports cars in a drag race. That’s where we are today. The newest all-electric SUVs have reached performance levels that make you rethink what’s possible for a vehicle that also hauls groceries and kids.
MotorTrend recently tested the 2027 Rivian R2 (the dual-motor Performance version), and the numbers are wild:
Test Results at a Glance
- 0–60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- Weight: 4,986 pounds (about as heavy as two large horses)
- Horsepower: 656 hp
- Torque: 609 lb-ft
- Quarter Mile: 11.6 seconds at 128.6 mph
[!IMPORTANT]
Context check: A 3.4-second 0–60 time used to be supercar territory. Now a midsize electric SUV does it while weighing nearly 5,000 lbs.
How Launch Control Works (It’s Easier Than Making Toast)
You don’t need to be a pro driver to unlock this speed. Rivian made it simple through the center touchscreen:
Step-by-Step Launch Sequence
- Select Sport Mode – Tells the car "go fast, don’t save energy"
- Turn Off Stability & Traction Control – Lets the wheels spin freely for maximum grip
- Swipe Up for Launch Control – A fun animation appears: Gary the Rivian mascot with his hair blowing back
- Press Both Pedals – Left foot on brake, right foot floored on accelerator
- Release the Brake – GO!
[!TIP]
ELI5 Definition: Launch control is like a slingshot. The car pre-loads power, then releases it all at once for the perfect start—no wheel spin, no hesitation.
What 656 Horsepower Feels Like
MotorTrend’s testers described the acceleration not like a kick, but like "a firehose of power."
- Instant torque (609 lb-ft) means all pulling power hits at zero RPM
- No gear shifts – just one smooth, relentless surge
- Motor whine – a cool sci-fi sound as dual electric motors spin up
- No fake engine noise – Rivian lets the motors sing naturally
[!NOTE]
Horsepower vs. Torque (ELI5):
- Horsepower = how fast you can keep going fast
- Torque = how hard you get pushed back into your seat right now
- The R2 has tons of both
Quarter Mile: The Gold Standard of Straight-Line Speed
The quarter mile (1,320 feet) is the classic drag strip distance. Here’s how the R2 performed:
| Metric | Result | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 11.6 seconds | Crosses the finish line before you can microwave a burrito |
| Trap Speed | 128.6 mph | Still accelerating hard at the end |
[!IMPORTANT]
Perspective: An 11.6-second quarter mile puts the R2 in hypercar territory from just a decade ago. The 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale did 11.5s. This is a family SUV.
How It Stacks Up Against Rivals
While the full comparison chart wasn’t shown in the test notes, MotorTrend hinted the R2 is "far from the quickest (or heaviest) EV we’ve tested." That means:
- Even faster electric SUVs exist (think Tesla Model X Plaid, Lucid Gravity, maybe Volvo EX90 Performance)
- The R2 hits a sweet spot: supercar speed + practical size + off-road ability
- Rivian’s advantage: This performance comes in a package built for adventure, not just pavement
Summary: The Future Is Heavy, Fast, and Electric
The 2027 Rivian R2 Performance proves that electric SUVs don’t need to compromise. You get:
Supercar acceleration (3.4s 0–60, 11.6s ¼ mile)
Real-world usability (5 seats, cargo space, off-road chops)
Simple launch control (anyone can do it via touchscreen)
Authentic EV soundtrack (motor whine > fake V8 noises)
Shocking value for this level of performance
Bottom line: If you told 2015-you that a 5,000-lb SUV would run 11s in the quarter mile, you’d call it science fiction. In 2027, it’s just Tuesday at the Rivian dealer.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Is 3.4 seconds 0–60 actually useful in real life?
A: Mostly for merging, passing, and giggles. But it also means the R2 has massive power reserves for towing, climbing, or escaping a sketchy situation.
Does launch control hurt the battery or motors?
A: Occasional use is fine—EVs are built for it. Doing it 20 times in a row might overheat things. The car will protect itself and say "no" if pushed too far.
Why does the R2 weigh nearly 5,000 lbs?
A: Big battery (~100+ kWh), dual motors, rugged chassis, and safety structure. The upside: that weight sits low, giving amazing handling despite the mass.
Can I do this launch on a public road?
A: Please don’t. It’s for closed courses only. 128 mph in 11.6 seconds is illegal and dangerous on streets. Save it for track days.
What’s "Gary" and why does his hair blow back?
A: Gary is Rivian’s quirky mascot. The animation plays when you activate launch control—pure personality from a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Test data sourced from MotorTrend’s 2027 Rivian R2 instrumented evaluation.
