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The long-awaited Rivian R2 has lastly been introduced, and it’s a superb choice for many who need an electrical SUV that doesn’t fully break the financial institution. Certain, the R2 isn’t low-cost — but it surely’s an entire lot cheaper than most different EVs on the market, particularly in terms of SUVs. However Rivian isn’t the one firm making an attempt to deal with the issue of the funds electrical SUV. The Kia EV9 is lastly out there, and it too affords a contemporary design and a variety of useful options.
Given the truth that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electrical SUVs in the same value vary, you is perhaps questioning which is best on your wants. That’s why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Each the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are precise SUVs — not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like loads of different EVs on the market. The 2 automobiles provide huge, boxy designs and loads of inside area, making them wonderful choices for households or those that want that additional storage.
However that’s to not say they appear the identical. The Rivian R2 continues Rivian’s much-loved design aesthetic, with the oval headlights on the entrance and the lengthy mild bar on the again. The R2 is definitely fairly minimalistic other than that although — it’s modern and classy, and those that don’t like an excessive amount of happening within the design of their automobiles will admire the general method.
The EV9’s design is slightly busier, but it surely’s nonetheless a great-looking car. The EV9 has Kia’s “digital tiger nostril” design on the entrance, with headlights that angle down the 2 sides in a “Z” form, and taillights that that department down the again of the automotive. The EV9 is arguably slightly extra conventional in design than the R2, nevertheless it nonetheless seems to be comparatively fashionable and classy.
The automobiles are barely completely different in dimension too. The Rivian R2 is 185.6 inches lengthy, 66.9 inches tall, and 75 inches extensive — whereas the EV9 steps that as much as 197.2 inches lengthy, 77.9 inches tall, and 77.9 inches extensive. That additional area will make a distinction within the inside — so when you actually need room, the EV9 is perhaps a greater choice.
Inside and tech
Talking of the inside, Kia and Rivian take a barely completely different method right here as effectively. Whereas Rivian’s R1S is a three-row SUV, the R2 settles for under two rows, and there’s no choice for a 3rd row. That’s in contrast to the Kia EV9, which does have three rows of seating, configured to both six or seven seats, relying on the mannequin you get.
Whereas the additional seats might put the EV9 above the R2 on your wants, there are different concerns to make in terms of the inside. Notably, the first-row and second-row seats within the Rivian R2 can fold down, and Rivian notes there’s sufficient area to suit an air mattress for tenting. The R2 normally has a barely extra rugged really feel to its inside — a minimum of based mostly on photos. The EV9 is a bit more conventional in inside design, providing some bodily controls for issues like local weather, alongside the twin show on the entrance for infotainment and instrument monitoring.
The Rivian R2 is a bit more tech-focused than the EV9, although. The R2 comes with Rivian’s self-developed infotainment system, which is definitely fairly well-designed and simple to navigate. Sadly, the R2 doesn’t assist issues like CarPlay and Android Auto — nevertheless Rivian says it will assist hands-free and eyes-free driving on the freeway, because of the slew of cameras and radars dotted across the exterior. The Kia EV9’s infotainment system is Kia’s personal, and it’s not fairly as effectively designed, however the automotive does assist CarPlay and Android Auto via a wi-fi connection, which is good. The EV9 affords Kia’s Degree 3 autonomous driving, which permits the driving force to take their palms off the wheel in some eventualities, however drivers will nonetheless have to keep watch over what’s taking place. Each automobiles provide different driver-assist applied sciences, like parking assistants, lane-centering, and blind spot monitoring.
Efficiency
There’s lots we don’t know in regards to the efficiency of the Rivian R2. We do know that it’ll are available in single-, dual-, and tri-motor variants — and that the quickest mannequin will have the ability to speed up to 60 miles per hour in below 3 seconds. We’ll have to attend and see what sort of efficiency the opposite fashions provide.
The EV9, however, is at present out there — so we all know all the things there’s to learn about its efficiency, a minimum of in terms of the 2024 mannequin. It’s attainable that the 2026 mannequin can be completely different — however we’re not anticipating it to be. The slowest EV9 isn’t the bottom mannequin — it’s the bottom powertrain, however with the bigger battery, which makes the car heavier. It’s referred to as the EV9 Gentle Lengthy Vary RWD, and it affords 201 horsepower and the power to speed up to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, which isn’t all that fast. The quickest EV9 is the EV9 GT-Line AWD, which may get to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds utilizing 379 hp. All that’s to say that the quickest Rivian R2 can be a lot sooner than the quickest EV9 — and it’s solely attainable that even the slowest R2 will outperform the quickest EV9. Must wait and see.
Vary and charging
We additionally don’t know all the things in regards to the vary of the Rivian R2, however Rivian has stated that there can be fashions with over 300 miles of vary. We’re anticipating this to be one of many slower fashions with a single motor and bigger battery pack. Rivian has additionally stated that there can be two battery choices. Sadly, we don’t but know precisely what sort of a variety different R2 fashions will provide. Rivian says the R2 will cost from 10% to 80% in round half-hour, and we’re anticipating it to have the same charging pace to the R1S, at round 220 kilowatts.
We do know all in regards to the Kia EV9 vary and charging pace. The bottom-range EV9 is the EV9 Gentle RWD, and it sits in at 230 miles of vary. The very best-range mannequin has the identical low-performance powertrain, however with the Lengthy Vary battery — and it steps up the vary to 304 miles. The opposite fashions are in between these two. Fortunately, the EV9 does cost fairly shortly — it helps DC quick charging at as much as a formidable 350kW, permitting drivers to charging from 10% to 80% in solely round 24 minutes, which isn’t dangerous in any respect.
Worth and availability
In the event you’re out there for a brand new automotive proper now, you actually solely have one choice — the Kia EV9. The Rivian R2 has been introduced, but it surely’s not out there but. Rivian says it’ll begin delivery within the first half of 2026, and within the meantime, whilst you can’t pre-order the R2, you may “reserve” one by paying a refundable $100 deposit to maintain your house in line. Rivian says the R2 will begin at $45,000, however that would change between now and the primary half of 2026.
The Kia EV9 is now out there for buy. It begins at the next value than the R2 is anticipated to price, although. The most cost effective EV9 prices $54,900, which is sort of $10,000 greater than the supposed beginning value of the R2. At the moment, the EV9 doesn’t qualify for the federal EV tax credit score, nevertheless, that may hopefully change quickly as Kia brings manufacturing of the car to North America. Rivian says the R2 will qualify when it’s launched.
Conclusions
Each the Rivian R2 and EV9 are compelling choices for many who desire a high-end electrical SUV. For now, the EV9 is the one choice although — and even when the R2 does roll out, those that desire a third row of seats or assist for CarPlay will possible need to go for the EV9. Nonetheless, those that just like the Rivian design sensibility, need an SUV-size car, and don’t thoughts ready, will need to go for the Rivian R2.
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