A surprising discovery has emerged from recent tire testing on the new 2027 Rivian R2 small electric SUV. When equipped with optional 20-inch all-terrain tires instead of the standard 21-inch street tires, the R2 demonstrated significantly better cornering grip and stopping power, defying conventional tire wisdom that typically sacrifices on-road performance for off-road capability.

This finding challenges what most tire buyers assume about all-terrain rubber. Historically, blocky tread patterns designed for unpaved surfaces come with a tradeoff: reduced grip and handling on pavement. Yet the R2 equipped with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A+ tires achieved a skidpad grip measurement of 0.84 g compared to 0.81 g with the standard Pirelli Scorpion tires, a noticeable margin in performance testing. The braking differences were even more dramatic, with the all-terrain version stopping from 70 mph in 166 feet versus 178 feet, and from 100 mph in 320 feet versus 363 feet.

The acceleration performance also improved slightly with the all-terrain setup. The R2 sprinted to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 128 mph, compared to 3.5 seconds and 11.4 seconds with the street tires. For a compact electric SUV, these are exceptionally quick metrics.

What Makes These All-Terrain Tires Different

The answer to this performance paradox lies in specialized engineering. The BFGoodrich tires on the R2 carry a V-speed rating of 149 mph, compared to the standard T or H ratings on other versions of the same tire model. Additionally, the Rivian-specific tires feature reduced tread depth at 10.5/32 inches rather than the standard 12.5/32. They also carry an M+S mud and snow rating instead of the higher three-peak mountain snowflake certification found on other variants.

These modifications essentially create a tire that looks rugged like traditional all-terrain rubber but behaves more like a street-focused tire with tread designed for light off-road use. The approach works because the R2’s engineering team tailored the tire specifications to match the vehicle’s actual capabilities and intended use rather than simply fitting a universal all-terrain option.

Notably, interior cabin noise remained nearly identical between both setups. Measurements at 70 mph showed 67 decibels for both configurations, with the standard tire producing 22 sones and the all-terrain tire 23 sones. This suggests buyers won’t experience the typical increase in road noise that often accompanies all-terrain tread patterns.

The Range Tradeoff Shoppers Must Consider

off-road terrain all-terrain tread
Photo by Jonathan Bottoms

The one area where all-terrain tires perform as expected involves driving range. The EPA rating for the R2 drops from 330 miles with 21-inch tires to 307 miles with the 20-inch all-terrain option. During highway testing at 75 mph, the difference expanded further: 260 miles of highway range with street tires versus 220 miles with all-terrains. This 40-mile reduction represents a meaningful loss for road-trippers, though still-adequate range for most daily driving scenarios.

This range penalty stems from the increased rolling resistance inherent to all-terrain tread designs, even optimized ones. Shoppers prioritizing maximum efficiency should factor this into their decision, particularly if long highway trips are common.

What This Means for Your Tire Purchase

The Rivian R2’s all-terrain tire option costs just $1,000, making it an affordable upgrade over the standard wheels and rubber. When considering tire investment decisions, buyers often weigh long-term value against initial cost.

For R2 customers, the choice between tire packages boils down to priorities. If you prioritize on-road emergency response, cornering confidence, and stopping power, the all-terrain upgrade delivers measurable improvements. The rugged aesthetic also appeals to buyers drawn to the SUV’s adventure-ready positioning. Ride quality reportedly feels slightly more composed on the 20-inch wheel and tire setup as well.

Conversely, those focused on maximum driving range and ultimate efficiency should stick with the standard 21-inch street tires. The 40-mile range reduction on the highway represents a meaningful concern for long-distance commuters or frequent road travelers.

The psychological benefit of all-terrain tires cannot be overlooked either. Even though most owners spend minimal time off-pavement, the visual confidence and perceived off-road capability matter to many buyers. The fact that industry experts continue focusing on tire performance innovation demonstrates that the aftermarket remains committed to advancing real-world tire technology.

This testing outcome demonstrates that modern tire engineering has evolved beyond simple categorical tradeoffs. Manufacturers can now optimize tires for specific vehicle applications rather than applying generic solutions. The R2’s all-terrain option proves that buyers no longer face binary choices between on-road performance and off-road capability, at least with purpose-built tire packages designed for a particular vehicle platform.