Are R1T / R1S really 'Adventure Vehicles'? Discuss...

[maddave12]

I was pondering whether I'd consider the R1T to really be an "adventure" vehicle while driving yesterday. I realize the claim is partly branding, this isn't all that important since I love the thing, and I don't want to get overly pedantic, but still...

"Yes, it is":
- acceleration
- ground clearance
- cornering on fairly firm surfaces
- camp speaker (I know it's not universally loved, but it still falls in this category)
- 4-wheel independent traction control
- short-range towing ability
- water fording depth

"Could have been":
- camp kitchen

"No, not really":
- range limitations (particularly if doing something demanding)
- fragile outer skin
- weight (an issue on packed snow, ice, mud, sand....)
- long wheelbase (R1T particularly)
- time/cost for repairs
- very limited ability to customize (larger wheels/tires, body lift, light bar, winch, etc.)
- poor turning radius

So, then I ask, how is it better than a well-modified Jeep?
- on-road experience (acceleration, ride, cornering, quiet)
- short-range towing
- cargo space
- water fording depth
- ... is that it?

And, where is it good as a "real" truck?
- road experience (acceleration, ride, cornering, quiet)
- short-range towing ability
- cheaper to operate, assuming your electricity is cheap

I can see it's a different blend of compromises than most of what's out there, so marketing it differently makes sense. Still, would you call it an 'adventure vehicle'? If so, why?

Curious about others' thoughts...

Sponsored

 

[SilverII]

Yes. Its an adventure vehicle

 

[maddave12]

OK, original question updated to include, "and if so, why?"

 

[jplblue]

Getting to the adventure, i.e. on-road manners, is 70-90% of adventuring .

 

[SSteveEV]

Anything that makes you hunt for a charger in a random parking lot is by default an adventure vehicle.

 

[Thedude]

It’s all marketing. It’s no more “adventure-y” than any other pickup truck.

 

[R1Tom]

My biggest concern with serious adventuring with the Rivian is the vast difference between what it would take to fix a damaged Jeep and a damaged Rivian. Both time to repair and cost.

 

[txtravwill]

I'd say yes, it is somewhat but mostly its just like any other truck. It does have good clearance and a shorter wheelbase so its more offroad capable than most road trucks these days, but more like a Raptor, AT4 Model of GMC, etc.

It is much more delicate than our Ford F150 we own. That one we beat up, pull things out of the bed without breaking the tailgate, doesn't dent as easily, and interior is more functional.

 

[Andystroh]

Cameras to see your tires while off-roading, auto-leveling for rooftop tents or sleeping in the SUV, air compressor built in, you can keep the lights and sounds off with camp mode to not disturb nearby campers, very good approach/departure angles, accessible power in the bed, built in gear lock, additional exterior lighting...

I see 'adventure vehicle' as a different vehicle than 'purpose-built off-road machine'. It is a great adventure companion.

 

[COdogman]

It’s an impossible question to answer. To some people just driving to the trailhead is plenty of adventure. To others only a weeklong overlanding trip is an adventure.

Is it equipped to be an Earth Roamer? Of course not. So those who complain it can’t do that are not really being fair. The truth is it can serve the adventure needs of 90% of us so IMHO it’s an adventure vehicle.

All you need to do is look the thread about what people do with their Rivians to see all the “truck” stuff it can do. It’s a truck.

 

[azbill]

I'd say yes, it is somewhat but mostly its just like any other truck. It does have good clearance and a shorter wheelbase so its more offroad capable than most road trucks these days, but more like a Raptor, AT4 Model of GMC, etc.

It is much more delicate than our Ford F150 we own. That one we beat up, pull things out of the bed without breaking the tailgate, doesn't dent as easily, and interior is more functional.

I agree with "delicate". Lack of metal skid plates and rock sliders make it too delicate for serious off-roading. Ground clearance is good, but there are still situations where you need more protection. The plastic trim around the front, sides and back are not up to being adventurous in my mind.

 

[kylealden]

I agree with "delicate". Lack of metal skid plates and rock sliders make it too delicate for serious off-roading. Ground clearance is good, but there are still situations where you need more protection. The plastic trim around the front, sides and back are not up to being adventurous in my mind.

For most people, "adventure" is not rock crawling. That's an extreme niche activity that most people would have to travel a long way to try - I'd bet that 95% of Rivian's never crawl in any extreme condition, and 90% of those that do only try once or twice. It would be foolish for Rivian to spread the cost of optimizing for those few across the entire customer base - let the aftermarket solve it.

For most people, "off-roading" is pretty reasonably unmaintained or poorly-maintained forest roads, trailheads, etc. - they might have water crossings or be too potholed out to be comfortable in a Subaru, but they certainly don't need sliders or winches.

The reality is even most built rigs are doing that kind of trail. The entire BDR network is built on the back of forest roads, with the occasional optional jaunt into double track. The R1 vehicles are more than capable of all of those.

But more than any of the above: "Adventure" is a brand. It's the lifestyle association they're aiming for. Kind of silly to argue whether they "earned" it any more than whether the Corolla Sport is "Sporty."

 

[Zoidz]

It's certainly marketing. To my knowledge this is the first use of "Adventure Vehicle" so Rivian can make it whatever they want it to be. It's also an indirect statement about what Rivian is not - not targeted at "Work", "Fleet", "Soccer Mom", "Mall Cruiser", etc. markets. To me it implies a significant level of off road features and functionality beyond a boulevard cruiser with AWD and 7 inches of ground clearance - the typical "SUV".

GMC markets their trucks as "Profressional Grade", yet GMC is really a premium/near luxury version of the Chevy Sliverado. Does that make the Silverado "Amateur Grade"? They are the exact same base vehicle usually built in the same factory.

 

[maddave12]

Cameras to see your tires while off-roading, auto-leveling for rooftop tents or sleeping in the SUV, air compressor built in, you can keep the lights and sounds off with camp mode to not disturb nearby campers, very good approach/departure angles, accessible power in the bed, built in gear lock, additional exterior lighting...

Good list, Andystroh. Agreed on these, and if life right now had let me go camping in the last year, I might have had more of those front of mind when pondering the question

 

[Acoustic71]

I was pondering whether I'd consider the R1T to really be an "adventure" vehicle while driving yesterday. I realize the claim is partly branding, this isn't all that important since I love the thing, and I don't want to get overly pedantic, but still...

"Yes, it is":
- acceleration
- ground clearance
- cornering on fairly firm surfaces
- camp speaker (I know it's not universally loved, but it still falls in this category)
- 4-wheel independent traction control
- short-range towing ability
- water fording depth

"Could have been":
- camp kitchen

"No, not really":
- range limitations (particularly if doing something demanding)
- fragile outer skin
- weight (an issue on packed snow, ice, mud, sand....)
- long wheelbase (R1T particularly)
- time/cost for repairs
- very limited ability to customize (larger wheels/tires, body lift, light bar, winch, etc.)
- poor turning radius

So, then I ask, how is it better than a well-modified Jeep?
- on-road experience (acceleration, ride, cornering, quiet)
- short-range towing
- cargo space
- water fording depth
- ... is that it?

And, where is it good as a "real" truck?
- road experience (acceleration, ride, cornering, quiet)
- short-range towing ability
- cheaper to operate, assuming your electricity is cheap

I can see it's a different blend of compromises than most of what's out there, so marketing it differently makes sense. Still, would you call it an 'adventure vehicle'? If so, why?

Curious about others' thoughts...

Shit, dude. I'm 73. Just getting out of the driveway is an adventure.

Sponsored