Rivian R2 in the Desert: 3.4 Seconds to 60 mph in Triple-Digit Heat

MotorTrend put the dual-motor Performance version of the 2027 Rivian R2 through repeated launch runs in triple-digit desert heat, and the midsize electric SUV did not wilt. The R2, which weighs 4,986 pounds, hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 128.6 mph.

Those numbers come with 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque on tap. According to the test team, the acceleration feels less like a sudden jolt and more like a steady wave of power - smooth delivery that remained repeatable even as temperatures soared and the tester, rather than the vehicle, began to fade.

Setting up a run is straightforward: drivers select Sport mode, disable stability and traction control, and use the launch-control screen, where Rivian's Gary character appears. The results put the R2 among the quicker electric SUVs MotorTrend has measured, with the outlet indicating more detailed class comparisons are still to come.

Why the R2 Stays Quick When the Air Gets Hot

Heat Is Usually the Enemy of EV Performance

Electric powertrains can cut output when batteries get hot, protecting the pack and motors. MotorTrend's repeated launches in triple-digit heat produced no obvious signs of that derating - the R2 kept delivering its full 656 hp. That points to battery thermal management that is up to the job for owners in hot climates who want consistent performance.

Advertisement

Not Just Quick, but Quick on Every Pass

The published results are the story. A 3.4-second 0-60 run is not unusual in today's EV market, but doing it from a near-5,000-pound SUV - and sustaining the pace through multiple runs - is more meaningful. The flat torque curve and dual-motor setup make the delivery feel continuous rather than explosive, which is a usability point as much as a numbers point.

The quarter-mile figure, 11.6 seconds at 128.6 mph, shows strong top-end pull, not just a launch-mode sprint. That consistency matters more to owners than a single headline number because it reflects real-world repeatability in the conditions this test focused on.

What This Test Means for R2 Shoppers

What R2 Shoppers Should Take From This Test

  • If you live somewhere hot and want launch performance, the R2's repeated 3.4-second runs in triple-digit heat suggest you will not lose much to summer temperatures.
  • Expect real-world energy use to worsen with this kind of driving: 656 hp and 4,986 pounds will drain the battery quickly when you use launch control or sustained full-throttle runs.
  • Compare against other EV SUVs at your price point once MotorTrend publishes its full class breakdown - the 11.6-second quarter-mile at 128.6 mph is the reference number to match.
  • Check whether your spec includes Sport mode and launch control; the tested Performance trim needs those features to use the full 0-60 capability.