The debate over electric vehicle safety is heating up, and Rivian is at the center of it all! While the company aims to enhance safety, their latest design for the R2's manual door release has sparked a firestorm of criticism from devoted fans and owners. It seems a seemingly small detail has become a major point of contention, leaving many questioning Rivian's commitment to passenger well-being.
In the year 2026, it's a surprising reality that electric cars are still being equipped with electronic door handles. While they certainly contribute to a sleek, modern aesthetic, these handles can transform into a significant safety hazard. Imagine a scenario after an accident where the vehicle's power is cut – without a reliable manual override, occupants could find themselves trapped inside. This is precisely the concern that has many Rivian owners voicing their displeasure.
Rivian appears to be making an effort to address this very issue, specifically with the rear doors of their new R2 model. The goal is to make it easier for passengers to escape in emergency situations, particularly if the low-voltage battery fails. However, the proposed solution has not gone down well. Hundreds of Rivian enthusiasts and R1S and R1T owners have taken to online forums to express their strong disapproval, and the feedback is far from positive.
Here's where it gets controversial: The updated manual release system on the R2 prototypes, while intended to be an improvement, is drawing comparisons to the facelifted R1 models. On these more premium vehicles, the manual release cable is hidden behind a removable plastic panel on the door card. This design choice was already met with skepticism, especially since the earlier R1 models had a more straightforward system where standard handles operated both electronic and manual releases. And this is the part most people miss: The pre-facelift R1S and R1T offered a more intuitive experience.
Now, with the R2, the manual release for the rear doors is once again concealed behind a plastic cover. While it might be slightly more accessible than on the updated R1s, it still requires a deliberate action to reveal the release cord. As demonstrated by YouTuber JerryRigEverything, passengers would need to pop out a small plastic panel to get to the emergency cord. Meanwhile, front occupants still have a conventional handle. This disparity has led to significant frustration.
But here's where it gets even more concerning: We don't yet know precisely how easy it is to locate and pull this hidden cord in a high-stress situation. Some owners of the second-generation R1S and R1T have already taken matters into their own hands, modifying their vehicles to ensure children and adults can more easily operate the emergency release after an accident. This proactive approach by owners highlights the perceived inadequacy of the current design.
It's important to remember that the R2 is still in its prototype phase, and there's a possibility the production model could feature design changes. However, the overwhelming sentiment from the Rivian community is clear: they are deeply unhappy with the proposed rear door manual release. Numerous comments on platforms like Reddit express that this is a misstep, and that Rivian should be implementing a more robust and user-friendly system. One commenter starkly stated, "If this is what is going into production, I’m out." Others echoed this sentiment, questioning why the company couldn't simply replicate the more accessible front seat release system for the rear doors. The core of the argument is that fumbling for a hidden wire in an emergency should never be an acceptable design. If a backup handle can be integrated into the front doors, why not the rear?
Rivian, the community is waiting to see your response. What do you think about this design choice? Should emergency releases be more prominent and easier to access? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear if you agree or disagree with the concerns raised by these Rivian owners!
