Christian de Looper / Digital Trends
Thelong - awaited Rivian R2has finally been announced , and it ’s an splendid selection for those who want an galvanising SUV that doesn’tcompletelybreak the bank . Sure , the R2 is n’t cheap — but it ’s a whole lot cheaper than most other electron volt out there , especially when it comes to SUVs . But Rivian is n’t the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV . TheKia EV9is at long last available , and it too offers a forward-looking purpose and a range of helpful features .
Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electrical SUV in a exchangeable toll range of mountains , you might be wonder which is just for your pauperism . That ’s why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head - to - head .
Christian de Looper / Digital Trends
Design
Both the Rivian R2 andthe Kia EV9are genuine SUVs — not crossover pretending to be sport utility , like plenty of other EVs out there . The two vehicles offer big , boxy blueprint and quite a little of internal space , spend a penny them excellent option for syndicate or those who require that superfluous storage .
But that ’s not to say they see the same . The Rivian R2 continues Rivian ’s much - love excogitation aesthetic , with the ellipse headlights at the front and the long abstemious prevention at the back . The R2 is actually fairly minimalistic apart from that though — it ’s sleek and fashionable , and those who do n’t like too much going on in the pattern of their cars will appreciate the overall approach .
The EV9 ’s designis a little busier , but it ’s still a great - look vehicle . The EV9 has Kia ’s “ digital Panthera tigris nozzle ” intention at the front , with headlights that angle down the two sides in a “ Z ” shape , and taillights that that ramify down the back of the car . The EV9 is arguably a lilliputian more traditional in figure than the R2 , however it still see comparatively innovative and stylish .
The auto are slightly different in size too . The Rivian R2 is 185.6 column inch long , 66.9 inches marvellous , and 75 inches wide — while the EV9 steps that up to 197.2 inches long , 77.9 column inch tall , and 77.9 inches full . That special space will make a deviation in the Interior Department — so if you really want room , the EV9 might be a better option .
Interior and tech
Speaking of the DoI , Kia and Rivian take a slimly different approach here as well . While Rivian ’s R1S is a three - row SUV , the R2 settles for only two rows , and there ’s no choice for a third row . That ’s unlike the Kia EV9 , which does have three row of seating room , configured to either six or seven seats , count on the model you get .
While the extra tail could put the EV9 above the R2 for your indigence , there are other consideration to make when it comes to the Department of the Interior . Notably , the first - rowandsecond - row seatsin the Rivian R2can close down down , and Rivian notes there ’s enough infinite to go an air mattress for camping . The R2 in general has a somewhat more rugged tactile property to its Interior Department — at least free-base on images . The EV9 is a little more traditional in interior designing , volunteer some physical controls for things like climate , alongside the dual display at the front for infotainment and instrument monitoring .
The Rivian R2 is a slight more tech - focused than the EV9 , though . The R2 comes with Rivian ’s self - developed infotainment system , which is in reality pretty well - design and easy to navigate . Unfortunately , the R2 does n’t stick out things like CarPlay and Android Auto — however Rivian says itwillsupport hands - free and eyes - free driving on the highway , thanks to the good deal of camera and radar dot around the exterior . The Kia EV9 ’s infotainment system is Kia ’s own , and it ’s not quite as well project , but the motorcar doessupport CarPlayand Android Auto through a wireless link , which is gracious . The EV9 offers Kia ’s Level 3autonomous drive , which allows the gadget driver to take their hands off the roulette wheel in some scenario , but drivers will still call for to keep an heart on what ’s happening . Both car offer other driver - assist engineering , like parking assistants , lane - centering , and blind spot monitoring .
Performance
There ’s a lot we do n’t know about the execution of the Rivian R2 . We do know that it ’ll come in single- , dual- , and tri - centrifugal variants — and that the libertine model will be able to accelerate to 60 nautical mile per hr in under 3 seconds . We ’ll have to wait and see what form of performance the other framework offer .
The EV9 , on the other hand , is currently available — so we know everything there is to know about its performance , at least when it comes to the 2024 manakin . It ’s possible that the 2026 example will be different — but we ’re not expecting it to be . The slowest EV9 is n’t the base model — it ’s the base powertrain , but with the larger electric battery , which makes the fomite heavier . It ’s call the EV9 Light Long Range RWD , and it offers 201 horsepower and the ability to speed up to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds , which is n’t all that quick . The fast EV9 is the EV9 GT - Line AWD , which can get to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds using 379 horsepower . All that ’s to say that the fastest Rivian R2 will be much faster than the fastest EV9 — and it ’s altogether possible that even the slowest R2 will surmount the fastest EV9 . Will have to waitress and see .
Range and charging
We also do n’t know everything about the range of the Rivian R2 , but Rivian has said that there will be model with over 300 Swedish mile of range . We ’re expect this to be one of the slower models with a single motor and larger battery mob . Rivian has also say that there will be two barrage fire choice . unluckily , we do n’t yet know exactly what kind of a range other R2 framework will proffer . Rivian says the R2 will buck from 10 % to 80 % in around 30 minute of arc , and we ’re expecting it to have a similar charge speedto the R1S , at around 220 kW .
We do know all about the Kia EV9 reach and charging speed . The lowest - range EV9 is the EV9 Light RWD , and it sits in at 230 miles of range . The highest - range model has the same low - performance powertrain , but with the Long Range battery — and it steps up the kitchen stove to 304 nautical mile . The other models are in between those two . gratefully , the EV9 does load pretty quickly — it hold up DC tight charging at up to an impressive 350kW , provide number one wood to charging from 10 % to 80 % in only around 24 minutes , which is n’t bad at all .
Price and availability
If you ’re in the market for a new car aright now , you really only have one option — the Kia EV9 . The Rivian R2 has been announced , but it ’s not available yet . Rivian says it ’ll pop out send in the first one-half of 2026 , and in the lag , while you ca n’t pre - order the R2 , you may “ reserve ” one by yield a refundable $ 100 deposit to keep your place in line . Rivian says the R2 will start at $ 45,000 , but that could vary between now and the first half of 2026 .
The Kia EV9 is now available for purchase . It depart at a higher cost than the R2 is expected to be , though . The cheapest EV9 cost $ 54,900 , which is almost $ 10,000 more than the supposed starting cost of the R2 . Currently , the EV9 does not qualify for the federal EV taxation credit , however , that will hopefully change shortly as Kia brings manufacturing of the fomite to North America . Rivian says the R2 will qualify when it ’s released .
Conclusions
Both the Rivian R2 and EV9 are compelling choice for those who want a mellow - end electric SUV . For now , the EV9 is the only choice though — and even when the R2 does roll out , those who want a third row of butt or financial support for CarPlay will belike desire to go for the EV9 . However , those who like the Rivian design sensibility , require an SUV - size of it vehicle , and do n’t mind waiting , will desire to go for the Rivian R2 .
