10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Rivian R1S Electric SUV Picks Up Steam, Blows by BMW M2

’Member when the Jeep Gladiator debuted back in the 2020 model year and was accused by some of being not much more than a Wrangler with a bed in the back (and then that turned out to not really be true)? Well, luxury electric vehicle upstart Rivian is reversing that SUV-to-pickup-truck transformation as its R1T pickup takes an SUV shape in the all-new R1S. But just as the Gladiator proved to be its own animal, this three-row SUV is more than a rebranded Rivian truck — much more, as it turns out, and remarkably improved.

Related: Report Finds Poor Reliability for Electric Vehicles

In Cars.com reviewer Aaron Bragman’s comprehensive critique of the R1S, he praises the luxury electric SUV for its unique, Tesla Cybertruck-besting interpretation of “futuristic” exterior styling that’s forward-looking without being weird; reduced and improved dimensions; and lightning-quick acceleration and driving range to spare from all three high-horsepower powertrain options. Holding the R1S back are interior fit-and-finish issues you don’t see in established luxury competitors and overuse of multimedia touchscreen features versus physical controls — and though competitive in the market at a starting price of around 80 grand, it’s still predictably pricey.

For Bragman’s full take on the 2023 Rivian R1S, follow the link below to the No. 2 article on our countdown of most read stories of the week.

If your needs don’t include three rows of seats and abundant cargo space, but you still want the luxury and sporty performance, this week’s seventh-place finisher — a rapid-fire roundup of the pros and cons of the 2023 BMW M2 — might be of interest. The newly redesigned coupe impresses with its purported 3.9-second 0-60 mph sprint; quick-and-smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission with torque conversion; sporty ride and handling; standard curved display with nice, big screens and nice, crisp graphics; and well-appointed interior with accommodating space for two, decent visibility, comfortably sporty seats and stylish cabin flourishes. Undermining our enthusiasm are its understated exhaust note; cramped backseat; too-firm suspension and lacking brake feel; and a potentially hard-to-see head-up display.

For full details on what we loved and loathed about the 2023 M2, follow the link below to the No. 7 news story of the week.

Beyond all that, we have headlines on the Toyota Prius, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:

1. Thinking About Buying a Hybrid? Here Are Some Pros and Cons

2. 2023 Rivian R1S Review: Upstart’s Second Model Is Actually the Better One

3. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?

4. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy

5. How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Last?

6. What MPG Does the 2023 Toyota Prius Get in Real-World Driving?

7. Is the 2023 BMW M2 a Good Car? 5 Pros and 4 Cons

8. What’s the Best New-Car Deal for the End of 2023?

9. Is the 2024 Ford Mustang GT a Good Sports Car? 6 Pros, 3 Cons

10. How Well Does the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison Work On-Road?

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