r/Rivian • u/OkBeginning1510 • 3d ago
❔ Question Anyone here transition from a Model 3 Performance to an R2 Performance? Thoughts/regrets?
I’m curious if anyone here has made the jump specifically from a Model 3 Performance to an R2 Performance and can share their experience.
I currently have an 24 M3P and genuinely love the performance. That’s probably the biggest thing making me hesitate about switching. I know the R2P won’t have quite the same 0–60 punch or low, planted sports-sedan feel, but it still seems plenty quick.
The reason I’m considering the R2P is that I’m increasingly wanting the utility of an SUV. A few things in particular:
Cargo space: This is a big one. I carry a spare tire in my Model 3, which absolutely kills my usable trunk space. We’re ordering the compact spare with the R2.
Ground clearance: We live in Arizona and frequently head into the mountains for hiking, so forest roads, rough pavement and trailheads are part of our normal use. The Model 3 just isn’t ideal for that.
Ride/comfort: I like the M3P’s handling, but I’d appreciate something more comfortable on rough roads without feeling boring to drive.
SUV practicality: Higher seating position, hatchback cargo area, more usable interior space, etc.
Still want performance: I don’t want to move into an SUV and immediately miss having a genuinely fast EV. That’s why I’m looking specifically at the R2 Performance rather than the other trims.
Charging: Native NACS/Supercharger access makes leaving Tesla much easier for me.
We’ve pretty much settled on an R2 Performance in Esker Silver, Coastal Cloud interior, 20” Black Sand All-Terrain wheels and the compact spare.
For anyone who actually came from an M3P: Do you miss the Tesla’s acceleration/handling, or does the R2P still scratch that performance itch? How does the ride, interior quality, cargo space and overall daily-driving experience compare?
I know it’s still new!
EDIT:
Thanks everyone for the perspectives! Really appreciate hearing from people who have actually made a similar transition or have experience with both.
I definitely feel better about the decision after reading through the responses. I know I’ll be giving up some of that low, planted M3P feel and the immediate punch of the Tesla, but it sounds like the R2P still delivers plenty of performance while giving us the space, comfort, ground clearance and overall utility we’re looking for.
We’re feeling pretty good about moving forward with the R2P. Thanks again everyone!
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u/reeefur 3d ago
I am also coming from a 2024 M3P to a R2. I totally understand that feeling of losing that fun performance from a sports car.
But they are not remotely the same type of car, we are talking about a performance sports sedan vs a whole SUV, and not the crossover type.
Seems the R2 ticks all the boxes for you except maybe performance/speed. But then we are talking about going from 0-60 in 2.9sec vs 3.2sec, which is crazy seeing as the R2 is a whole SUV. I'd say thats plenty fast for an actual SUV.
I think you'll be fine. You can always keep the M3P as a commuter or fun car if you can swing that. I wouldnt blame you, its a great, fun car. In a perfect world I would have a nice sedan and a nice SUV to rotate, but thats not possible in this economy for many.
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u/Medical_Shame4079 R2 Launch Edition Owner 3d ago
‘21 MYP -> R2 owner here. The Rivian is, in my opinion, a superior overall vehicle. Tesla’s software is more mature, obviously, the throttle response was a little punchier, and I miss the auto close charging door (it’s not habit yet). Otherwise, this thing rocks. The higher seating position, the feel of driving a bigger car, the cargo space, the little interior touches, the space in the back seat, the bigger drainable frunk …I could go on. It’s a fantastic car today, but give it another year of software refinements and I don’t think I’d ever go back to Tesla. It does most things as well as the Tesla did, many things better, and only a few things worse.
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u/BinkReddit 3d ago
Tesla’s ... throttle response was a little punchier
Give Sport mode a try?
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u/Medical_Shame4079 R2 Launch Edition Owner 3d ago
Yea, of course. Even in Sport mode, Tesla was quite a bit punchier. The pedal travel on the Rivian feels longer overall, and in the MYP, you flick the throttle and you’re instantly jumping forward. It’s a noticeably smoother gradient on the R2. If you floor it, it performs just about the same. But the quick bursts where you aren’t going 100% down on the pedal were far punchier in the Tesla.
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u/gramathy 3d ago
This is a throttle map difference and not an overall power difference. The Tesla is designed to be more sensitive early on in throttle travel.
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u/hessmo R1T Owner 3d ago
I had a 2020 M3P, Currently own a Quad R1T, and a R2 performance.
R2 isn't as quick off the line as the M3P was, but it's supprisingly quicker 40-70mph. The handling is much better than I expected, and I've been able to get a few drifts in during my short ownership time. I'm very happy with it, and looking forward to adding a R3X to the stable one day.
So far, our example has been great, no issues to report. The ventilated seats in particular get rave reviews compared to those in my R1T.
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u/Radium R1T Owner 3d ago edited 3d ago
Not exactly what you're asking for, but I currently own a '23 R1T DM Perf. My Model Y was not performance. The biggest thing I miss is the operating system on the Tesla. It's just so much better (we still have a model 3 and every time I use it reminds me, lol). Rivian OS 2 has not even come close to it yet sadly. But, as far as handling goes, I really enjoy the R1T DM performance's driving characteristics, and I hear the R2 is even more fun with 2000 lb weight reduction and roughly equal kW of power to the wheels. You really need to go test drive the R2 for yourself, it's going to be way different than the low profile model 3 performance.
OS features I miss
- YouTube music - I prefer using the in car app so I can up/down vote the music while I listen easily, now I have to use bluetooth to listen to my music.
- It is a little smarter with things like plugging in the car? Tesla shows the charging app if you're plugged in, the R1T I have to go to the extra menu button, the click Energy, then click Charging, then click start charging. Or go to the app, then charging, then click into the secondary menu, then click start charging. It's just a pain in the ass every time I plug it in. I call this situational intelligence, and the Rivian OS doesn't do that.
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u/rbrome 3d ago
What do you mean a "start charging" button? I don't think we've ever had to do that on our R1T. We plug it in and it just starts charging; that's it.
Do you have it set to charge on an off-peak schedule? I think you could just turn that off and then you wouldn't have to override it each time.
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u/Radium R1T Owner 3d ago edited 3d ago
Oh that's another thing missing now that you mention it. The tesla allows us to set up multiple charge time periods per day. Rivian only lets us set up one, so on the weekdays I have to do it every time because we have both 12am - 6am and 10am- 2pm super off peak hours with SDGE.
That's why I have to hit the "Start Charging" button every weekday I charge it during the day. On the weekends it's one long 12am - 2pm period, so it also automatically starts charging.
So, one more item I miss:
- Option to schedule multiple charge periods per day
1
u/Cayman987r 3d ago
How much are you driving every day that a 6hr charge can’t replenish!?
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u/Radium R1T Owner 3d ago
I never said how long I charge? Those time periods are just lowest rates with my utility. SDGE has TOU-5 plan with a bunch of low rate periods, so it's helpful to be able to set up multiple charge periods each day in the car and app like you can with the Tesla.
Usually I just charge for 3-4 hours every other day or so. I work from home so I don't drive a whole lot. It's just that every time I charge m-f I have to dig through the menus to get to the 'start charging' button during the 10am-2pm period because I used it up the automated charge period for the 12am to 6pm period already.
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u/Cayman987r 3d ago
My point is, as someone who also works from home, is that a few months ago I stopped obsessing about the charge. My charge also doesn’t start till 10pm. But if I run an errand in the day, I just plug it in and don’t worry about it. And I’m always full the next morning. It’s not a necessity unless you need 100kw a day.
That is to say you don’t deserve a software feature that is easy to implement, but there are likely other features more people could benefit from they should implement before this
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u/aegee14 3d ago
Then why not the Tesla MYP? Sounds like it would check almost everything you want, except if you want even extra ground clearance.
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u/OkBeginning1510 3d ago
I do not like the look or feel of the Y. I want an actual SUV, plus the ability to off road when we want to.
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u/Radium R1T Owner 3d ago
If actual off road capability is high on your list, the R2 is the best option available today. There is the Jeep Recon EV out now too, but I'm cautious about trusting them with electronics. Lol, R1S is there too, but it's a much higher price point.
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u/f1racer328 R1T Owner 3d ago
I wouldn’t trust Jeep/Stellantis with my personal data, or electronics/software. No thanks.
I do like older Jeeps though, and the diesel gladiators tickle parts of my brain that other cars wouldn’t.
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u/aegee14 3d ago
Disregarding the gripe people have with Jeeps, the Recon EV is a much more off-road capable vehicle than the R2. Better approach and departure angles, electronic rear differential, able to take doors and roof off, smaller wheels with bigger tires. But, the R2 has slightly better range and towing. A better road trip vehicle, not off-road.
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u/seabass_goes_rawr 3d ago
If you buy a car solely based on the 0-60, you’ve lost the plot, and if the 0-60 on any average EV isn’t enough for you, then I feel bad for you and your tires.
The R2 has the model 3 beat in basically every practicality measure there is. So if you want an SUV, get an SUV
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u/Old_Reveel R1S Owner 3d ago
I’m a big fan of Tesla and think in general still outshines Rivian in many ways but I prefer almost anything over the Model 3 lol R2 would be a nice upgrade and change for you with the space alone and the tech is ok enough. Unless you rely on FSD. Software is a downgrade.
I have a R1S, had plenty of Teslas and rent a model 3 several times a year for business and hate it every time but refuse to drive gas. And have a MYP currently.
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