Could the R1S become the premier airport hauler over the Suburban and Escalade?

[OverZealous]

I think you are making a mistake in saying that these are luxury vehicles. We don't know what rear leg room will be, no rear sunshades, no cooled rear seats, no additional head or b-pillar ventilation, no soft-close doors, no captains chairs, no ability to control media from the rear, no side step option (not sure if needed although you'd have to always remember to lower air suspension and assume it happens fast, which usually it doesn't), etc.

They are expensive and worth it for 1,000 reasons, but one of those reasons is not luxury.

You make a good point here. These are vehicles built for the driver first, not the passengers. Almost everything that makes the R1 vehicles special isn't designed around people hauling.

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[swflorida]

You make a good point here. These are vehicles built for the driver first, not the passengers. Almost everything that makes the R1 vehicles special isn't designed around people hauling.

Yup, made for adventure

 

[Bee]

i am not convinced you have the same storage in an R1S that you have in an ESV. Nor, as you mentioned, do you have as much cabin space.

If i book a luxury ride for six adults and we end up having to carry our bags on our laps, that's a deal breaker.

I just don't see the two vehicles being comparable enough for it to be like for like. I do think it's a great Uber Black for five people but not a great Uber XL (to use that comparison)

I think you are making a mistake in saying that these are luxury vehicles. We don't know what rear leg room will be, no rear sunshades, no cooled rear seats, no additional head or b-pillar ventilation, no soft-close doors, no captains chairs, no ability to control media from the rear, no side step option (not sure if needed although you'd have to always remember to lower air suspension and assume it happens fast, which usually it doesn't), etc.

They are expensive and worth it for 1,000 reasons, but one of those reasons is not luxury.

Certainly not the same cabin space as an ESV, but perhaps the same cabin space as a non-ESV or Tahoe which is still a tried and true airport hauler.

I'm with you on the luggage storage but as long as you can get roller bags standing in the trunk, even if you can fit 1-2 bags less the frunk and under seat storage should provide perhaps even more overall storage. This remains a TBD and something I've googled quite a few times trying to get a sense. I think it might actually work in the end.

As for luxury, I'm not quite sure how to weigh this. First, it's definitely a step up from the Tahoe/Suburban and on par tier-wise with the Escalade but it's decidedly luxury-adventure and not luxury-luxury, which obviously matters for being a cab. I'm kind of ok proceeding because it will cost less than a similarly equipped Tahoe while exceeding the luxury quality pretty objectively.

I'm way more concerned about this for weddings and funerals. This is where the gaudy luxury really matters. I think most NYC business people would actually enjoy getting picked up in a Rivian on par to an Escalade, but again, events are another story entirely. Not that it wouldn't work, but perhaps becomes a harder product to sell.

Overall it comes down to if it costs as much as a Tahoe, it should be compared to a Tahoe in terms of luxury. This is at least true for my pre-price hike reservation.

If I book anything for six adults with luggage, I’m expecting a van to show up.

The better move than an R1S would be a passenger version of RCV

Then don't book it! There are many airport haulers that are smaller than the R1S and you know before it shows up, right? I'm not trying to compete with passenger vans, I'm trying to compete with 5+ person SUVs.

 

[Bee]

I am wondering if the R1S is going to be an Uber Black SUV eligible vehicle. If so, I may change my LE order to Black / Black. I do ride share on occasion nights some and weekends. This would also allow me to write it off as a commercial vehicle (Section 179 allowance).

I'd have to assume yes. I'd assume it so much to the point where I bet if you got it early before they flagged it you could get them to put you on. Didn't they have the model Y on there? I can't see how you can shoehorn the model Y into a black SUV category and not have the R1S.

I currently have my R1S in black for this specific reason. Kind of annoying, El Cap should pass

 

[moosehead]

As @Gabe1aron notes, both southern and northern Cal have many Tesla ride sharing vehicles that seem to do well from informal chatting with their drivers. The Model X is used quite a bit.

While LA and SF traffic is similarly aweful to Long Island, they do benefit from more temperate climate and ubiquitous Tesla charging stations.

Is the Rivian range enough for your daily driving with no mid-day or late shift charging?

 

[3l3c7r1c]

I am wondering if the R1S is going to be an Uber Black SUV eligible vehicle. If so, I may change my LE order to Black / Black. I do ride share on occasion nights some and weekends. This would also allow me to write it off as a commercial vehicle (Section 179 allowance).

When Model 3 just came out, someone was renting out their Model 3 on Turo few days a month to get the monthly payment back. Initially rental price will be very high so you can also think about that.

 

[Bee]

Is the Rivian range enough for your daily driving with no mid-day or late shift charging?

I think if you charged it to 100% every day, yes. But the question becomes what are those implications.

 

[Bee]

When Model 3 just came out, someone was renting out their Model 3 on Turo few days a month to get the monthly payment back. Initially rental price will be very high so you can also think about that.

Oh 100%! Especially if I'm futzing around and not really starting a business. Stick it up on Turo and any day it gets rented is a day I can either choose to not work or hop in the Bolt/Kona.

 

[junkanoo]

Then don't book it! There are many airport haulers that are smaller than the R1S and you know before it shows up, right? I'm not trying to compete with passenger vans, I'm trying to compete with 5+ person SUVs.

Which seems reasonable to me. I go on golf buddy vacations. Four guys with four golf bags and four pieces of luggage would easily get into a R1S. Beyond that, I don't think it competes with a Suburban and neither does a Tahoe.

 

[Spiffster]

When Model 3 just came out, someone was renting out their Model 3 on Turo few days a month to get the monthly payment back. Initially rental price will be very high so you can also think about that.

That is a very good idea. though I am somewhat afraid of the activities that may be attempted in my Rivian. I have rented out through Turo in the past only a handful of times and found minor scratches on an otherwise perfect Cadillac. :-/
In any case if Im getting a black/black Rivian, the first thing im gonna do is get full PPF.

 

[bd5400]

That is a very good idea. though I am somewhat afraid of the activities that may be attempted in my Rivian. I have rented out through Turo in the past only a handful of times and found minor scratches on an otherwise perfect Cadillac. :-/
In any case if Im getting a black/black Rivian, the first thing im gonna do is get full PPF.

As someone with second-hand Turo experience...it really is not worth it for any car that you care about or plan to daily drive when not rented. Not only does it get old having people constantly change your settings, some people really just do not care about the cars they rent.

Wheel damage is very common from people who do not know how to park. People lose keys, bump into things, and will leave trash in the car. Even worse, in my opinion, is the number of people who will happily smoke in a vehicle even if smoking isn't allowed. Nothing like getting into your car and it smells like an ashtray or weed, even after having it cleaned.

Turo works for some people, but I just don't understand how anyone can rent their primary vehicle out on Turo, especially if its a more expensive car.

 

[sub]

There are many airport haulers that are smaller than the R1S and you know before it shows up, right? I'm not trying to compete with passenger vans, I'm trying to compete with 5+ person SUVs.

Based on the post subject the answer is clearly NO. As others have said, the Suburban, Escalade, and Tahoe are all much bigger than the R1S. In addition to being 10" to 25" shorter overall, the R1S 2nd row (where your passengers will be sitting) is 7" narrower hiproom.

I think the R1S would max out as airport transport for 4 customers while a Suburban or Tahoe could handle 6 customers.

But if you are trying to compete with smaller 5 passenger SUV's then yea, an R1S would be a good choice.

 

[Bee]

Based on the post subject the answer is clearly NO. As others have said, the Suburban, Escalade, and Tahoe are all much bigger than the R1S. In addition to being 10" to 25" shorter overall, the R1S 2nd row (where your passengers will be sitting) is 7" narrower hiproom.

I think the R1S would max out as airport transport for 4 customers while a Suburban or Tahoe could handle 6 customers.

But if you are trying to compete with smaller 5 passenger SUV's then yea, an R1S would be a good choice.

I think you're probably shorting it a customer.

I'm not really arguing against these shortcomings in comparison, I guess ultimately what I'm round about getting at is that it takes the Tesla Uber experience of the past and applies it forward. Sure a M3 isn't anywhere close to an S class but they both rent out as "Premium" on Uber and save a bunch of running costs for the driver, right? Those two cars shouldn't even be compared to each other yet Uber has them in the same category.

I expect this to work out the same way and for the R1S to be listed in this group of cars:

 

[sub]

I think you're probably shorting it a customer.

I'm not really arguing against these shortcomings in comparison, I guess ultimately what I'm round about getting at is that it takes the Tesla Uber experience of the past and applies it forward. Sure a M3 isn't anywhere close to an S class but they both rent out as "Premium" on Uber and save a bunch of running costs for the driver, right? Those two cars shouldn't even be compared to each other yet Uber has them in the same category.

I expect this to work out the same way and for the R1S to be listed in this group of cars:

Yes, I think it will be added to that list of acceptable vehicles. It will be a premium SUV. But it would not be "the premier airport hauler over the Suburban and Escalade".

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

As someone with second-hand Turo experience...it really is not worth it for any car that you care about or plan to daily drive when not rented. Not only does it get old having people constantly change your settings, some people really just do not care about the cars they rent.

Wheel damage is very common from people who do not know how to park. People lose keys, bump into things, and will leave trash in the car. Even worse, in my opinion, is the number of people who will happily smoke in a vehicle even if smoking isn't allowed. Nothing like getting into your car and it smells like an ashtray or weed, even after having it cleaned.

Turo works for some people, but I just don't understand how anyone can rent their primary vehicle out on Turo, especially if its a more expensive car.

LOL I'm not even sure I'm going to let me wife drive the R1T when I get it, let alone randos

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