On the Dash:
- Rivian will relocate the R2 SUV rear manual door release for easier and safer access.
- The redesign responds to complaints about R1 models and broader safety concerns with electric handles.
- Deliveries for the lower-cost R2 SUV are set for the first half of 2026.
Rivian is redesigning the rear doors of its next-generation R2 SUV to address safety concerns after employees and customers reported difficulties with the current design. The automaker plans to move the manual release closer to the electrically powered interior handles, making them more visible and easier to access. Deliveries for the R2, a lower-cost model, are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026.
The changes follow complaints about Rivian’s existing R1 models, where rear manual releases were relocated to a hard-to-access position in a 2024 redesign. Occupants must currently remove an unlabeled panel and pull a cord to exit the vehicle manually. Rivian said the new mechanism will mirror the front door releases and streamline the emergency exit for passengers. The company also confirmed that R2 will meet or exceed all federal safety standards for vehicle doors.
Rivian has not clarified whether the redesign will apply to existing R1 models, but the automaker noted there have been no reported injuries related to rear door electrical failures. Consumer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described the emergency release as unintuitive, particularly for children and older occupants.
Electric door handles are becoming increasingly scrutinized across the automotive industry after incidents where power loss trapped occupants inside vehicles. Rivian’s move follows similar adjustments at Tesla, where the company is integrating manual and electric releases to enhance safety. Federal regulations for modern electric door systems remain limited, leaving manufacturers to determine their own design standards.
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