The Rivian R2RivianThe 2027 Rivian R2 is a make-or-break vehicle for the company. And I think they're both going to make it.It's relatively rare for so much to rest on the fortunes of a single vehicle, but Rivian only has three models. The large and expensive R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck introduced the company to the world. The R2 will bring Rivian to the masses.With a lower price point, slightly smaller size and all of the trademark Rivianess—a mix of tech-forward features wrapped in outdoorsy vibes—the R2 could turn Rivian into the next Tesla as a startup that truly makes it and crosses over into the establishment.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter a brief test drive of the 2027 R2, I'm impressed with Rivian's well-rounded approach to the midsize SUV segment and it's a harbinger of good things to come for the EV maker. Because it has to be. If it succeeds, the R2 makes Rivian a household name and a common sight in America's driveways.Test-Driving the R2Snaking through winding country roads outside of Plymouth, Michigan, a tony suburb west of Detroit, I picture the R2 sitting in driveways in this neighborhood. My loop today is relatively short, so I resolve to make the most of it. Merging onto the M-14 freeway, I jab the throttle and blast into traffic, neatly finding a spot ahead of a Subaru. I'm testing an R2 Performance with the Launch Package, and I have 656 horsepower available under foot. It's mind-blowing to think what's ostensibly a grocery getter can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and surge from 50 mph to 70 mph in 1.55 seconds. A quick lane merger brings these specs to life for me.All of this power comes from Rivian's third-generation Maximus drivetrain, the heart of Rivian's propulsion system that promises up to 330 miles of range before charging. Rivian says the battery pack requires 10 times fewer cells compared to prior iterations, meaning the new ones are larger, denser, more powerful and a milestone advancement for the EV company.I tested the top trim with all-wheel drive, which is reaching customers now and starts with an MSRP of $57,990. Two other trims, the R2 Premium $53,990 (450-hp, all-wheel drive) available later this year, and the R2 Standard $48,490 (350-hp, rear-wheel drive) arrive in 2027. Given that the average transaction price of a new vehicle in the United States is hovering above $50,000, the basic R2 Standard—which is still well-equipped—stands to be in hot demand.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe R2 sets the company up for the compact R3 crossover, which will further bring Rivian to the broader public. It's a logical progression from expensive niche luxury brand to something more attainable. Tesla made that evolution, while Lucid is scuffling and Fisker never did. Scout Motors has a ton of potential, but has backtracked from being an all-electric company and is facing a slight launch delay. The established automakers like Ford, Chevy and Toyota are hodgepodge and hedging and none are really all-in on EVs anymore. Honda just killed off the Prologue, it's only EV sold in the United States.Building on Rivian's strengthsThe Rivian 2Rivian has other interests, too, with its software licensing deal with Volkswagen, a fleet of robotaxis and an Amazon deal for delivery vans. But, it's still serious about making all-electric vehicles.There's a maturity to the R2 that isn't evident even in the second generations of the R1S and R1T. The automaker didn't cut costs or make a stripped-down model to reach a lower price point. Rather, the R2 feels like a Rivian created out of its own whole cloth to be something different, yet familiar.Inside the Rivian R2Rivian added two gloveboxes. They're huge and sit below the instrument panel with room for plenty of stuff. They complement the storage in the center console, which is also generous. Wisely, there's also large cupholders in the doors, which is logical if you're trying to reach an outdoorsy segment that guzzles Nalgene bottles after hikes.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe R2 has a more basic suspension than the R1S, with greater use of steel that makes the SUV lighter and cheaper. There's still a semi-active suspension option on the Performance trim, but it's simpler than the options available on the R1 line. The R2's MacPherson and multilink setup is all you need, and frankly the R2 drives better than the R1S. Part of that is it's a shorter unibody vehicle vs. body-on-frame R1S, but the chassis setup is more forgiving and the steering is more connected."We prioritize: What is the most meaningful difference to the customer," said Greg Dachner, senior vehicle program director for the R2.Speaking of differences, Rivian finally added knobs to its interiors in response to customer complaints over its touchscreen-dominated cabins. They're called haptic halo wheels and they're mounted on the steering wheel. The driver can control basic functions like fan speed and temperature control without looking away from the road.Rivian R2 InteriorThey're software-powered and the feeling is a haptic sensation, not the physical movement of a knob, but it's close enough. I liked the halo wheels and they're a step in the right direction. A few more buttons wouldn't hurt, but Rivian did move some of the common functions closer to the driver on the center screen so they don't have to stretch across the dashboard for basic tasks.AdvertisementAdvertisement"We wanted to do something novel," said Rivian chief software officer Wassym Bensaid. "We did get the feedback from customers that they wanted tactile control."The rest of the interior is light and breezy. We let the sliding rear window down, vented the side windows and enjoyed an airy summer day. The sliding rear window is a nice touch and harks back to the latest Toyota 4Runner, a vehicle the R2 will be cross-shopped against.I tested a model with the black crater signature interior, and the dark leather, and beautiful gray cloth presented well. They felt premium but not expensive and with a durable vibe; the right balance for something that should go off-road. Rivian designed these seats in-house, and they're comfortable and supportive. The view from the driver's seat is solid, and with 9.6-inches of ground clearance—about the same as the Jeep Wrangler— it's a commanding setting.The design language speaksRivian R2 front viewOutside, the changes from other Rivians to the R2 are minimal. It looks like a slightly smaller Rivian—which is a good thing. Chief design officer Jeff Hammoud said he took inspiration from 1990s versions of legendary off-roaders like the Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder to give the R2 character. While the larger R1S compares more with Land Rovers, the R2 carries the archetypal look of a "two-box SUV," a blocky look exemplified by those '90s rigs.AdvertisementAdvertisement"One of the biggest challenges was taking the essence of R1 and distilling it down," Hammoud said.It's the right size for many families who may have been priced out of the R1 lineups. While EVs are facing headwinds right now, there are plenty of positives for the Rivian R2. It's a tech-forward EV, but it's still much more of a traditional SUV than the Tesla Model Y. The R2 also launches just as California has made a $3,500-instant rebate for first-time EV buyers, a shot in the arm for Rivian in a huge market where it can win. Even if the overall U.S. electric vehicle segment stagnates, the R2 will be sold in Europe, Rivian's first foray over there and an opportunity to capitalize on a region that's been receptive to EVs.And sometimes, a little luck doesn't hurt. Fisker was famously undone when Hurricane Sandy destroyed about $30 million of its inventory in 2012 and the automaker never recovered. When a tornado damaged Rivian's Normal, Illinois factory this spring, it was a glancing blow. The R2's launch continued on track. Luck is helpful, but the Rivian R2 is also quite good. It simply has to be, as the company's goals depend on the R2's success.This article was originally published on Forbes.com