Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y: which electric SUV does Mat Watson prefer? 

If you asked me to recommend a practical and high-tech electric SUV which is good to drive, chances are I’ll suggest you buy a Tesla Model Y. It’s a very good EV for the money, but soon there will be a new kid on the block with its sights set on Elon’s SUV.

I’m talking about the new Rivian R2. It’ll be the first car sold by the American brand in the UK, and on paper it should leave the Model Y quaking in its tyres. I flew out to California to drive the new R2 in early 2026, and I’ve already thoroughly tested the Tesla Model Y when the updated one came out last year.

But should you buy a Model Y, or wait for the Rivian R2 to hit UK showrooms? I’m going to compare their designs, interiors, see how practical they are, test out their tech and get both cars out on the road to find out.

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y: prices and standard equipment

Let’s start by talking about money, because pricing is a big deciding factor when buying a new car.

The Tesla Model Y starts from just under £42,000, or you can lease one from £399 per month. All cars have a 16.0-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights.

You can’t actually buy a Rivian R2 in the UK just yet, it’s expected to launch on our shores in a few years’ time. It starts from around 45,000 US dollars across the pond, which works out to around £33,000. By the time it’s shipped over here you can expect a starting price of around £50,000.

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y design and desirability

I think Tesla did a great job of updating the Model Y. It looked a bit blobby and fish-like before, but now it’s much sleeker and more modern-looking.

The slim light bar across the front reminds me of the bonkers Cybertruck, and the nose also seems lower than before as well. It makes the car look more aggressive and purposeful, and I like the new rear light bar as well. The way it shines down onto the black trim reminds me of the underglow you get at the bar in a trendy nightclub.

It looks so much better than the previous Model Y, but I’m afraid it just looks plain boring next to the Rivian.

The new R2 basically looks like a shrunken version of the R1S, and that’s no bad thing. I love the unique oval front light design, and this car looks like a proper, tough SUV with its boxy shape and chunky tyres. It’s not as aerodynamic as the Tesla, but I don’t care when it looks this cool.

If I was buying on looks alone, the Rivian wins hands-down – but does it have the substance to back up the style?

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y interior and technology

These two cars take very different approaches to minimalism – let’s start with the Tesla.

The Model Y feels a bit like a bachelor’s apartment inside. There’s just a big tele and some comfy chairs, but not much in the way of decor. It looks pretty clean and tidy though, and the build quality is good as well.

By contrast, the Rivian’s interior looks like one of those designer lofts you get in Los Angeles. It’s still a very pared-back cabin with very few buttons, but the multi-layered dashboard and funky materials make it look way cooler.

Quality is also excellent, and the R2 has some really clever rotary dials on the steering wheel. You can toggle them to control the climate control, which once you’re used to it is a brilliant solution.

Speaking of tech, the Rivian has an excellent portrait infotainment screen which is bright, responsive and easy to use. It also has a digital driver’s display, which is something the Tesla does without.

That means you have to look at the central screen in the Model Y to see things like your speed and remaining range, but at least the Tesla’s infotainment system is also really good. It’s just as easy to navigate as the Rivian’s, and the processor is really fast and zippy.

Overall, I prefer the Rivian’s interior. I think it’s slightly better-made than the Tesla’s, and the design is more interesting as well.

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y space and practicality

Space up front in the Rivian R2 is really good. There’s loads of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel, and there’s also plenty of storage for your bits and bobs. You get two gloveboxes, and massive door bins which have been made to accommodate multiple large bottles by moving the speakers into the footwells.

That said, the Tesla is also brilliant for front seat passengers. Finding your ideal driving position is easy, and there are two cubbies under the centre console which are deep enough to lose an arm in.

Moving to the back seats, it’s a dead heat in terms of kneeroom – it’s generous in both cars. The Rivian has a touch more headroom though thanks to the boxy roofline, and the slab sides also give you more shoulder space when there are three people in the back.

The Tesla offers a whopping 854 litres of boot space when you include the compartment under the floor, which is 10 litres more than you get in the Rivian. Both are massive though, and the Rivian’s low load floor makes it a bit easier to haul heavy items into the car.

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y batteries, range and driving

The Rivian R2 has around an 80kWh battery pack with a claimed range of “over 300 miles” according to Rivian. Exact specs will be confirmed closer to the full launch of the car, but on my drive I saw a real-world range of between 300 and 320 miles.

And this is where the Tesla starts to pull back some points, because the basic version of the Model Y will do 314 miles on a charge, but the Long Range All-Wheel Drive version will do up to 391 miles. In one of our EV range tests, the Model Y managed 328 miles before conking out. It also has a slightly smaller battery than the Rivian, so it’s a bit more efficient and will therefore be cheaper to run.

But there’s one thing the Rivian can do which the Model Y can’t and that’s go off road. It has raised suspension, chunky all-terrain tyres and a clever torque vectoring system which can maximise grip on tough terrain. I drove the R2 on a muddy track in California, and it was hugely impressive.

What’s more, that off-road ability hasn’t impacted everyday comfort. The cabin is almost eerily quiet at motorway speeds, even with the knobbly tyres, and the suspension does a great job of ironing out bumps in the road.

That said, if you want an electric SUV which feels sporty to drive then the Tesla is a better bet. It’s a bit lower and firmer than the Rivian, and the steering feels more direct as well. It’s actually quite good fun on a twisty road, but the trade-off is that it’s not quite as relaxing as the R2. It’s still very comfortable though, and it feels refined on the motorway.

Mat’s final verdict: Should you buy the Rivian R2 or a Tesla Model Y?

If you want an electric SUV right now, I can still wholeheartedly recommend the Tesla Model Y. It’s always been a brilliant EV for families thanks to the cavernous interior, high-end tech and impressive range, and the latest version is even better still thanks to the improved styling.

However, let’s say you’ve still got a few years left on your lease, or you’re just not in a hurry to buy a new EV. In this case, I think the Rivian R2 is well-worth waiting for. It looks way cooler than the Tesla, inside and out, and it’s absolutely brilliant to drive.

It does all the normal, boring EV stuff just as well as a Model Y, but with some added fun and that elusive “want it” factor. That’s why it wins this test.

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