Here’s how Rivian changed the rear door manual release on the R2

Rivian has faced scrutiny alongside other automakers over the accessibility of manual door releases in vehicles equipped with electronic handles. In recent years, manufacturers — most notably Tesla — have been criticised for making emergency door releases difficult to locate or operate. Rivian has reportedly addressed those concerns by revising the rear door manual-release design in its upcoming R2 SUV, and newly published first-look videos offer a clearer view of the changes.

For the front doors, the R2 retains a setup similar to Rivian’s existing R1 lineup. From the inside, occupants press an electronic button to open the door. A manual release latch is also integrated into the forward section of the interior handle, providing a mechanical backup in the event of power failure.

The most notable adjustment applies to the rear doors. Like the front, they include an electronic open button. However, Rivian has repositioned the manual release mechanism compared to the R1 vehicles.

On the R1, rear passengers must first remove the door panel to access the concealed release cord that activates the manual latch. In the R2, that release cord has been relocated to the same forward-handle area used for the front-seat manual release. Although the cord is still hidden behind a removable plastic cover, its new placement makes it more intuitive than the previous design, even if it remains slightly less accessible than the front-door release.

The R2 SUV is not scheduled to enter production for several months, and Rivian has not yet issued official guidance detailing how to operate the updated release mechanism. However, a recent video from Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything provides one of the clearest visual demonstrations to date of where the cord is located and how passengers would access it if the vehicle lost power, rendering the electronic door release inoperable.

While the manual release is still concealed behind a plastic piece and may not be immediately obvious to unfamiliar passengers, its new position is arguably more logical than being hidden entirely behind a removable panel.

Situations requiring manual door releases are relatively rare, but they typically arise during serious collisions. In those scenarios, seconds can be critical.

Rivian is not the only automaker reassessing emergency door access. Tesla has drawn significant attention in this area. According to a report by Bloomberg News, at least 15 fatalities occurred in crashes where there was evidence that occupants or rescuers were unable to open vehicle doors. Tesla has stated it plans to revise its handle designs in response to those concerns.

Electronic latch systems have also presented reliability challenges beyond emergency access. Last year, Ford issued a recall related to a power-delivery issue affecting the electronic door latches in the Mustang Mach-E.

As automakers continue to integrate electronic systems into core vehicle functions, emergency access remains a growing focus. Rivian’s adjustments to the R2 suggest that manufacturers are beginning to respond more directly to concerns around manual door operation and passenger safety.