![Rivian R2](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rivian-r2.jpg?fit=720%2C540&p=1)
The Rivian R2 is lastly coming. After months of rumors and hypothesis, Rivian lastly took the wraps off of the upcoming SUV at an occasion in Los Angeles. The R2 is positioned as a less expensive different to the much-loved R1S, providing lots of the standout options and design components however at a extra approachable value.
Nevertheless it enters a market crammed with severe competitors. The Kia EV6 is without doubt one of the most-loved EVs on the market, because of its fashionable and distinctive design, stable vary, and stellar charging velocity. It’s a special beast than the Rivian R2, to make sure — however how do the 2 examine? We put them face to face.
Design
The variations between the Rivian R2 and Kia EV6 are maybe no extra obvious than of their design. They appear fully completely different — and so they’re completely different sizes too. The Rivian R2 is a midsize SUV, whereas the Kia EV6 is extra of a crossover. They each solely have sufficient room for 2 rows of seats, however the R2 is certainly bigger, and that can translate to extra space on the within, which we’ll get into later.
![Front three quarter view of the 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line.](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_0281.jpeg?fit=720%2C480&p=1)
In case you’re a fan of the general design of the Rivian R1S, you’ll just like the look of the Rivian R2. The newer SUV appears to be like much like the R1S however a bit of smaller. It provides the identical oval-shaped headlights and an extended gentle bar throughout the again. It’s nonetheless boxy and large and really modern-looking.
The Kia EV6 appears to be like fairly completely different. Aside from being a lot smaller than the R2, the EV6 appears to be like a lot sportier, and far much less rugged. It has curved strains all through, with slim, slanted headlights on the entrance. Maybe the one similarity is the truth that it has an extended gentle bar throughout the again of it, although that gentle bar nonetheless appears to be like fairly completely different, curving across the aspect of the automotive and down towards the wheels.
Inside and tech
The interiors of the 2 autos are fairly completely different as effectively. The Rivian R2, as you would possibly anticipate, is way roomier than the EV6 — a lot in order that Rivian is touting the power for folks to sleep in there by folding down each rows of seats and placing in an air mattress. The inside of the R2 is constructed to look rugged, too, similar to the outside, nevertheless it nonetheless appears to be like approachable and pleasant. Towards the entrance of the R2 are two shows — one giant infotainment show and one digital instrument show.
Rivian can be touting the R2’s self-driving options. The R2 could have a beneficiant 11 cameras and 5 radars dotted round its exterior, and in line with Rivian, this may enable the automotive to drive fully hands-free and eyes-free on the freeway. In fact, it stays to be seen if that is out there when the R2 first comes out.
![Interior of the Rivian R2](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rivian-r2-interior.jpg?fit=720%2C540&p=1)
The inside of the EV6 has loads going for it too. The EV6 provides a curved touchscreen on the entrance, loaded up with Kia’s infotainment system. Not like the R2, it helps Android Auto and CarPlay, permitting it to raised combine with the remainder of your digital life. It’s a lot smaller than the R2, nevertheless it nonetheless provides an honest quantity of area for each passengers and cargo with its hatchback trunk. In any case, it’s a crossover-sized car — not a sedan. It has some driver-assistance options, however they’re not fairly as spectacular as what Rivian claims the R2 will provide. As an alternative, you’ll get lane-centering and adaptive cruise management, together with a parking assistant and blind-spot cameras, with the suitable choices.
The Rivian R2 is greater and extra tech-focused; nonetheless, the Kia EV6 is much from old fashioned — it nonetheless provides some nice tech options, and CarPlay assist could also be sufficient to sway some patrons.
Efficiency
The Rivian R2 isn’t out but, and there’s nonetheless loads we don’t find out about its efficiency. We do know that it’ll be quick, although. In line with Rivian, the R2 might be out there in single-, dual-, and tri-motor variants, with the tri-motor mannequin providing the power to speed up from 0 to 60 in below 3 seconds. That’s fairly spectacular for a automotive of this dimension.
![Front three-quarters view of a 2023 Kia EV6 GT in a desert setting.](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/kia-ev6-gt-4.jpg?fit=720%2C479&p=1)
However the Kia EV6 is quick, too. The EV6 is on the market in single- and dual-motor variants, with the bottom rear-wheel driver variations of the automotive providing an acceleration to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds, with 167 horsepower. That’s the slowest model, however go for the quickest mannequin, the Kia EV6 GT, and also you’ll get to 60 mph in solely 3.2 seconds, with a hefty 576 horsepower. That also isn’t as quick because the quickest model of the R2 — so if you happen to really need one thing fast, then the Rivian R2 is the best way to go.
Vary and charging
We additionally don’t but know all that a lot concerning the vary of the Rivian R2. Rivian has stated that the SUV will ship “greater than 300 miles.” Some estimates counsel that the R2 will provide as much as 330 miles within the model with the biggest battery — the bottom mannequin is more likely to have a decrease vary. We’re hoping that it’ll nonetheless ship at the least 300 miles of vary, however some reviews point out that it could be nearer to round 270 miles. We don’t have full particulars concerning the charging velocity of the R2 simply but, however we’re anticipating that it’ll be much like the R1S, at round 220 kilowatts. That’s not dangerous, however not as quick because the EV6.
![Side of the Rivian R2](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rivian-r2-side.jpg?fit=720%2C540&p=1)
The 2024 iteration of the Kia EV6 provides a bit extra variation in vary. Probably the most you will get out of an EV6 is 310 miles, nonetheless, that’s for the slower rear-wheel driver variants with the bigger battery, or the Wind RWD and GT-Line RWD fashions. The bottom-range mannequin is a a lot decrease 206 miles. Most individuals will need to keep away from this — it’s good that Kia is providing a efficiency model of the EV6, however 206 miles is just too low. The EV6 can cost faster than the R2 will. The EV6 helps charging at as much as 35o kilowatts with the suitable charging station. That’s tremendous quick and means that you may cost the automotive from 10% to 80% in below 20 minutes.
Pricing and availability
There’s a giant distinction within the pricing and availability of those two automobiles. Why? Nicely, the EV6 has been out for a while now, and you will get one proper now if you wish to. The Rivian R2 was solely simply introduced and gained’t begin transport till the primary half of 2026. You may “reserve” one now, however that solely actually offers you a spot in line (the $100 reservation payment is refundable).
The value of the automobiles is a bit of completely different too. Rivian says that the R2 will begin at round $45,000 although it’s potential that determine will change a bit of by the point the automotive is formally launched. The Kia EV6 begins at $42,600, which isn’t that a lot decrease — however it’s a little cheaper.
Conclusions
Each the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV6 have loads going for them. Importantly, solely one in all them is on the market proper now, so if you happen to’re out there for a brand new automotive and deciding between these two, the EV6 is the best way to go. When the R2 does roll out, it will likely be a compelling choice for individuals who need a bit of extra space and like Rivian’s design sensibilities. The EV6 remains to be an excellent automotive, and if you happen to’re within the camp of not wanting something that doesn’t have CarPlay, it could be a better option for you.
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