Tesla Model Y Beats Rivian R2 in Real-World Highway Range Test

A new highway range test has found the Tesla Model Y Performance significantly outperformed the Rivian R2 Performance, despite the two electric SUVs having similar EPA ratings on paper.

The comparison, conducted by Out of Spec Reviews and RivianTrackr, measured both vehicles over the same route at a constant 70 mph until their batteries were depleted. While the results favoured Tesla, the reviewers argue the test highlights shortcomings in the EPA’s certification process rather than exposing a problem with either vehicle.

The findings also build on an earlier side-by-side efficiency test from the same team, which found the Model Y consistently consumed less energy than the R2 despite their identical EPA efficiency ratings.

Model Y Outperforms Its EPA Rating

The test was conducted by Out of Spec Reviews founder Kyle Conner and RivianTrackr founder Jose Castillo, who drove both vehicles simultaneously on Interstate 64 in North Carolina at a GPS-verified constant speed of 70 mph until each vehicle could no longer maintain highway speed.

The Rivian R2 Performance traveled a corrected 253 miles (407 km), well below its EPA estimated 330 mile (531 km) range – just 76.7% of its official rating.

By comparison, the Tesla Model Y Performance covered 317.8 miles (511 km), exceeding its EPA estimate of 306 miles (492 km) by nearly 4%.

That means the R2 fell nearly one quarter short of its advertised EPA range, while the Model Y actually outperformed its official rating under the same test conditions, echoing the results of the previous test.

Same Road, Same Conditions

To eliminate as many variables as possible, both vehicles ran side-by-side on the same route in the same environmental conditions.

Each vehicle started with a full charge, tire pressures were set to 42 psi, and both used their most efficient driving modes. The R2 tested was equipped with its optional 21″ road wheels and Pirelli Scorpion MS tires, which is the same configuration used to achieve its 330 mile EPA rating. Castillo’s personal R2 normally rides on 20″ all-terrain tires, which carry a lower 307 mile EPA estimate.

Questions About EPA Testing

Conner said he believes the discrepancy stems from differences in EPA certification procedures rather than any issue with the vehicles themselves.

According to Conner, Rivian and Tesla likely used different EPA test cycles that are both permitted under current regulations, resulting in ratings that appear directly comparable on paper but differ significantly in real-world driving.

That conclusion aligns with the pair’s earlier efficiency comparison, which found the R2 consumed between 18% and 26% more energy than the Model Y across multiple speed tests despite both vehicles sharing identical EPA efficiency ratings.