R2: Final Validation

One step closer to getting customers behind the wheel

By Rivian

February 9^th, 2026

We’ve spent years putting R2 through nonstop testing. With multiple lifetimes of mileage accumulation and extreme durability runs, it has been through scorching heat, bitter cold, soft sand, deep water, max towing, and much more. With production around the corner, R2 has officially entered final validation.

We’ve tested every aspect of the vehicle to ensure it performs both as a daily driver and as a vehicle that will take you off the beaten path.

Every R2 in our development fleet accumulates tens of thousands of miles. From Death Valley to Fairbanks, from Atlantic to Pacific, we’ve driven R2 relentlessly through the harshest conditions imaginable.

R2 is engineered for robust simplicity and long-term reliability, while being easier to build and service. The battery and electronics are protected from the elements, and the chassis and suspension are designed to soak up abuse from the road.

Tested in temperatures from -45℉ (-43℃) to 122℉ (50℃), our efficient thermal systems keep the cabin comfortable in the most extreme conditions on earth, while also maintaining optimal operating performance for all vehicles systems. This ensures R2 can stand up to just about anything you’re likely to encounter and maximizing the long-term health of the vehicle.

Thanks to robust hardware and our software-defined architecture, R2 inspires confidence on pavement and over rugged, off-road trails. We validate performance on sand, ice, rocks, and beyond.

Aerodynamics testing helps optimize R2 to reduce drag, which improves range, reduces wind noise and helps the vehicle feel balanced and planted at highway speeds. Our wind tunnel results are then validated across thousands of miles of real-world driving.

Our R2 development fleet has performed incredibly well through all our testing—better than we ever expected. It has improved performance and reliability across the board. Customers are going to really benefit from it, which is exactly our goal.

Four Rivian trucks with forest camouflage stand in a row on a dirt road. Mountains and a blue sky are in the background.

When you trust your vehicle, you have the confidence for every adventure. At Rivian, rigorous testing is a core part of how we build that trust every day. We’re beyond excited for customers to experience R2 for themselves very soon.

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