R1S test drive - My honest opinion

[xyskis]

How many folks like having to mash the accelerator to get the vehicle to feel quick?
One thing I've loved about my model S is that it doesn't take much mashing to throw your shoulders back in the seat. I like the throttle mapping of Teslas. Hope Rivian does something similar.
Don't have my R1S yet, but hope it doesn't feel like some ICE cars where there's that dead spot when you depress the accelerator and nothing seems to happen except engine noise.

Having driven the R1T, it's definitely not the lag of ICE cars but more of a very short-latency ramp over the scale of 0.1-0.2s where it's barely perceptible, kind of like take off on an airplane. The Tesla throttle mapping really throws you into the seat immediately; the Rivian kind of encourages it and then locks you in like a jetliner pilot late for a date in another city.

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[shamoo]

How many folks like having to mash the accelerator to get the vehicle to feel quick?
One thing I've loved about my model S is that it doesn't take much mashing to throw your shoulders back in the seat. I like the throttle mapping of Teslas. Hope Rivian does something similar.
Don't have my R1S yet, but hope it doesn't feel like some ICE cars where there's that dead spot when you depress the accelerator and nothing seems to happen except engine noise.

I did admit I didn't push the pedal to the floor, but I felt like I got close.

I have a refreshed Tesla Model S and a couple of other fast cars. I know what a 3 second 0-60 feels like. The Rivian is supposed perform at those numbers. The Telsa Model S feel is so SIGNIFICANTLY different than the Rivian to the point I wonder how the heck does Rivian pick up that much speed in the last inch of pedal travel?

Well I guess I have to schedule another test drive.

 

[Prime]

How many folks like having to mash the accelerator to get the vehicle to feel quick?
One thing I've loved about my model S is that it doesn't take much mashing to throw your shoulders back in the seat. I like the throttle mapping of Teslas. Hope Rivian does something similar.
Don't have my R1S yet, but hope it doesn't feel like some ICE cars where there's that dead spot when you depress the accelerator and nothing seems to happen except engine noise.

Agree with you, for me the Tesla throttle mapping is better, its lighter touch /easier control. With the R1 I felt like I had to engage the throttle much more than I'm used to with the Tesla.

 

[electruck]

For those not happy with the throttle response, what drive mode were you in (All Purpose, Sport, etc)?

 

[shamoo]

For those not happy with the throttle response, what drive mode were you in (All Purpose, Sport, etc)?

I may not have been that detailed in my original post but...

I tried both All Purpose and Sport. Sport definitely had a more sensitive throttle response (along with suspension "tightening") but I wouldn't say it was "faster". It was just more sensitive. This is common among performance vehicles. If you floor it in any mode, the amount of power you have is the same. Is that the same for Rivian?

From most comments here, it seems like putting the pedal to the floor would have yielded a dramatically different result. While this may be true, it has never been my experience with performance oriented vehicles. You know what you expect at 100% throttle when you're at 90% throttle. I was at ~90% throttle and I don't know how such a big/heavy vehicle could accelerate just as fast as my Model S/GT3. with just another 10% throttle input.

 

[electruck]

This is common among performance vehicles. If you floor it in any mode, the amount of power you have is the same. Is that the same for Rivian?

No, Rivian has indicated that Sport mode offers about 20% more torque than All Purpose.

 

[shamoo]

No, Rivian has indicated that Sport mode offers about 20% more torque than All Purpose.

Good to know, thank you.

I figured at this point I knew almost everything about this vehicle. Good to learn something new. Thanks.

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