Rivian R2 First Look: Inside the Venice Block Party

Before this trip, the Rivian R2 was renders and reservation emails. After Venice, it’s real.

I drove out to the Rivian Venice location for the R2 block party — parking was rough, but the walk was worth it. Our friend Eric had already been through and confirmed you could actually sit inside. That changed the whole day.

Rivian R2 SUV parked next to a Rivian sign in front of the Venice Postal building.

Inside the Rivian R2

Getting into the driver’s seat was the moment everything shifted. The new software UI is running in these cars — the same interface I immediately started wondering if our Gen 2 R1S will eventually see. The layout feels familiar to anyone who’s spent time in an R1, but it’s refined. Scrolling felt slightly stiff, though these are pre-production units.

Seats are comparable to the R1 lineup — something about the texture felt slightly different, but nothing dramatic. Back seat is genuinely spacious.

White Rivian R2 with all doors and trunk open at the outdoor event, showing black interior.

The frunk opens automatically with a button press but closes manually — soft-close, heavier than expected. One detail I didn’t anticipate: with the tailgate glass up, there’s no rear pillar. Clean, intentional design choice.

White Rivian R2 SUV with open trunk at the Venice outdoor event, crowd gathering around.

Rivian R2 Colors and What’s on the Tires

Five colors were on display and I got eyes on all of them. Half Moon Gray is my pick — that one’s going on the reservation if timing works out. Launch Green reads better in person than in photos. Catalina Cove is a muted teal. Midnight Black is clean and predictable.

Standard tires on this unit: BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A in 255/60/20. All-terrain from the factory — that tells you exactly how Rivian is positioning this against the Model Y crowd.

Close-up of Rivian R2 wheel with black multi-spoke rim, BFGoodrich tire, and yellow brake caliper.

Demo Drives and Delivery Timeline

I asked about demo drives since I haven’t driven an R2 yet. The rep said the tour is limited to larger Rivian spaces — not every service center location gets it. Pasadena, Eastvale, and similar spots won’t see the tour vehicles. Demo drives at service centers start once deliveries get moving.

On timing: employee deliveries are happening this month, reservation holders follow after. One thing worth knowing — LiDAR won’t be in the first delivery batches. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, factor it in. Based on what I heard at the event, I wouldn’t wait for it — but that’s a personal call.

The Reservation Problem

Here’s where I’m at. I have an R2 reservation. And after sitting inside one — touching the surfaces, seeing the UI live, understanding the actual footprint — it went from abstract excitement to something I actively want.

The timing is brutal. I let go of the R1T to pick up the R1S, which I wasn’t willing to give up as my Rivian. Then came the Cybertruck. Pulling the trigger on an R2 when my slot opens is genuinely hard to justify with two vehicles already in the garage. Ridge, a local community member, and I had talked about this before the event — he gets it.

If you’ve got a reservation and you’re on the fence — go see one in person if the tour comes to your city. It moves the needle. And if you’re still early in the process considering Rivian for the first time, using a referral link gets you free charging on the Adventure Network plus Gear Shop points.

The R2 is a real Model Y competitor. Not another “could be” — actually real. Competition like this is good for everyone in the EV space, whether you end up buying one or not.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments — if you made it to Venice or another stop on the tour, drop what you thought below.