The race to make more efficient electric vehicles no longer depends solely on battery size. More and more brands are seeking to make the most of the available energy to offer more kilometers without having to considerably increase the capacity of the battery packs.

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There, Tesla has been one of the manufacturers that has built the best reputation thanks to the efficiency of its models. However, a new competitor has just shown that there is still room to surprise within this segment.

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This is the Rivian R2 Performance, an electric SUV that has just attracted attention after knowing its official autonomy and consumption figures. The interesting thing is that it manages to be on par with the Tesla Model Y Performance in energy efficiency, but traveling a greater distance with each charge.

More kilometers with a different approach

Official data shows that both the Tesla Model Y Performance 2026 and the Rivian R2 Performance record an equivalent average consumption of 19.9 kWh per 100 kilometers.

Despite this tie in efficiency, the Rivian model achieves an estimated range of 531 kilometers, while the Tesla SUV remains at 492 kilometers.

The difference is even more striking when observing the design of both vehicles. The R2 opts for a more robust body, with less aerodynamic shapes and greater ground clearance, characteristics that normally penalize efficiency on the road.

A heavier SUV that doesn't sacrifice performance

Another aspect that increases the merit of the Rivian is its weight. The American model surpasses the Tesla by approximately 360 kilograms, a considerable figure when talking about energy efficiency.

Additionally, the R2 features a silhouette closer to that of a traditional SUV, moving away from the more streamlined and aerodynamic approach that characterizes the Model Y.

Part of its advantage in autonomy is explained by a slightly larger battery. The Rivian equips an 86.8 kWh pack, while the Tesla Model Y Performance has a battery close to 84 kWh.

Still, the difference in capacity is relatively small to justify on its own the 39 additional kilometers of range achieved by the Rivian model.

Tires also make a difference

The R2 figures allow us to verify another important aspect in electric vehicles. The choice of tires can significantly modify energy performance.

The version equipped with 21-inch wheels and road tires reaches the aforementioned 531 kilometers of autonomy. On the other hand, when using 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, consumption increases to 21.1 kWh per 100 kilometers.

As a consequence, the range drops to 494 kilometers, a loss of 37 kilometers attributed solely to changing tires.

A battle that is also fought in the price

The competition between both models is not limited to the technical section. In terms of price, the differences are minimal.

The Rivian R2 Performance starts at $57,990, while the Tesla Model Y Performance starts at $57,490.

With figures so close, the decision will depend mainly on the needs of each driver.