Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.While driving Rivian's R2 at the SUV's launch in Salt Lake City, there was a lot to learn about the brand's first new product in years. Now that some time has passed, some of the SUV's features stick out more than others. While the SUV is a great second album that combines excellent range, serious performance, brilliant tech, and more into a great package, there are still some standout features that help the SUV distinguish itself from rivals. These are my favorites.Rivian's Rear Window Should Be EverywhereThe R2's rear window can roll down, just like in a 4Runner.RivianHow this feature isn't everywhere is beyond me. It's a huge convenience on multiple levels. As Rivian's photo demonstrates above, it's nice for pets to have some added ventilation. Speaking of ventilation, this also pulls air cleanly through the cabin, smoothing out the airflow when the other windows are down, making cruising significantly more pleasant. On top of that, it's handy for loading long items, like 2x4s or a surfboard, without having to fold the rear seats. Toyota is the only other automaker to have figured out how to make this work, and it's incredible that Rivian is the only other brand to jump on this excellent feature.Rivian Does A Minimal Interior Without Ruining ItRivian R2RivianView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe R2's interior is an excellent place to spend time. It feels relaxing and decidedly uncluttered. Usually, when an automaker sets out to do this, they ruin it by removing functionality by way of buttons, too. Rivian has (mostly) skirted this with its haptic wheel controls. An overwhelming majority of the car's functions, from its drive modes to its media settings to its driver aids, can all be controlled via the two wheels on the steering wheel. It works extremely well, and mostly keeps your eyes on the road. These functions can also be accessed via the center screen, which is among the most high-definition and responsive on the market.The Rivian R2 Drives Like No Other EV2027 Rivian R2 PerformanceRivianView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThe R2 drives exceptionally well. Despite the fact that most trim levels come with traditional coil-on-spring suspension, Rivian has managed to strike a beautiful balance between performance and comfort, and even more impressively, has managed to keep that balance both on and off-road. The R2's new platform, despite its lower price point, can even feel better than its flagship R1 lineup. During our time with the car in Salt Lake, Rivian provided some twisty back roads, and R2 models equipped with run-of-the-mill all-season tires were so quick and well balanced many of us were reaching for sports cars to compare it to.Similarly, the R2's driving dynamics and performance stand up off-road. The R2's all-wheel drive system is more than capable enough for most off-road scenarios, especially when optioned with the SUV's available all-terrain tires.Fun Colors Make Rivian Stand OutRivianThe R2's lineup features a few fun colors, too. Most automakers have caught on to this, and have started offering fun colors for their cars. But Rivian in particular features some bold colors, like the above Borealis, that really stand out. Its iconic Rivian green is another excellent hue, too.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
