I Spent Two Days With Gen-2 R1 Vehicles. Here’s My Thoughts as a Rivian Owner...

[bd5400]

@Snazzy Labs Since you have hands-on experience with the new electrochroamatic roof, can you comment on whether you feel the roof allows more light through in the non-tinted mode than the standard glass roof? I'm wondering if this is just a $1,500 replacement for a sunshade, or if you get the benefit of having clearer glass for when it's cloudy or at night.

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[Snazzy Labs]

@Snazzy Labs Since you have hands-on experience with the new electrochroamatic roof, can you comment on whether you feel the roof allows more light through in the non-tinted mode than the standard glass roof? I'm wondering if this is just a $1,500 replacement for a sunshade, or if you get the benefit of having clearer glass for when it's cloudy or at night.

I’d say there’s less light than the factory tint, but more light than a 10% tint.

 

[Snazzy Labs]

Good review but I think Snazzy Labs is exaggerating the ride quality and suspension experience. All the other reviewers are not noticing any “markedly” improved experience.

How many of the other reviewers have driven an R1T and R1S every day for the last 2 years?

 

[JWreck]

New generation looks very nice and refined. Not sure it’s worth the $20k + premium over what our pre-price hike gen 1 cost…but maybe this refresh will make it actually worth the price now.

 

[JWreck]

How many of the other reviewers have driven an R1T and R1S every day for the last 2 years?

Yep, I trust no reviewer on things that you start to notice over time. OOS Kyle has an advantage as he’s out 50k miles on his R1T, but all others giving opinions after 1 hour…they’re just initial opinions

 

[CharonPDX]

How many of the other reviewers have driven an R1T and R1S every day for the last 2 years?

Kyle. Tom Moloughney.

And both of them did specifically mention the R1S having a much better ride in the G2 than the G1. Kyle went into a multiple-minute discussion with an engineer about it.

 

[Acey]

@Snazzy Labs 240V bed outlet?

 

[rivtyler]

Eh. I own a quad and most of the performance capability isn't useable on a daily basis. I wouldn't miss it. And pre-refresh dual has already demonstrated to have better characteristics in certain off-road situations than OG quad. Performance Dual can sprint from 0-60 in 3.5s. That's plenty fast for a car of this size and weight.

Would you/someone mind elaborating on the pro’s of DM off road? I feel like I haven’t found or seen a basic breakdown on where a dual might be better than a quad (asking as a brand new dual owner that actually wheels).

 

[Snazzy Labs]

Kyle. Tom Moloughney.

And both of them did specifically mention the R1S having a much better ride in the G2 than the G1. Kyle went into a multiple-minute discussion with an engineer about it.

Great. So we are all in agreement. Haha

 

[SASSquatch]

@Snazzy Labs You sir are a scholar and a gentleman! Thank you for sharing your insights and for taking the time to put together this comprehensive write-up.

Well done.

Rivian needed to make improvements in Gen 2 to compete with growing competition so I am excited to see all of the changes. Bittersweet for Gen 1 owners who will not benefit on many of these but that is the price to pay for early adoption.

On a positive note, Gen 1 will always have the best frunk space, if that is any consolation...

 

[GreenOptimist]

@Snazzy Labs 240V bed outlet?

From Kyle’s OOS video it’s the same 120V 1500W inverter.

 

[Harvest]

I've had my R1T for about 20 months and I am not disappointed at all about these updates. In fact, I'm happy to hear them because as others have noted, it makes it more likely that Rivian as a company is going to keep improving its vehicles and be more likely to survive. The only thing "new" that I would definitely wish for is the better HVAC system with less vibration. I can live without everything else they changed, and in fact I'm happy to have my Forest Edge interior which seems to be going away. Also the Meridian audio and some other things the new vehicles don't have, like the larger frunk. I have felt all along like I got a $120,000 vehicle for $70,000 (after $7500 tax credit and with the early pricing).

I have to say I am very glad to hear the first generation is going to get the blind spot camera view on lane signaling. I have that in my Honda Pilot and really miss it on my R1T.

Overall, lots of great news coming out of Rivian!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Would you/someone mind elaborating on the pro’s of DM off road? I feel like I haven’t found or seen a basic breakdown on where a dual might be better than a quad (asking as a brand new dual owner that actually wheels).

Short version, better torque stall characteristics. Less likely to get hung on obstacles and can't get enough torque to get over it without having to back up, approach it with more speed and momentum. And the brake based traction management system can help anchor any of the four wheels to keep you from slipping in steep and slippery situations as the vehicle is trying to figure out how to apply power to produce forward progress.

Long version, use search and look for posts by member R.I.P., who is a retired automotive engineer.

 

[Snazzy Labs]

@Snazzy Labs 240V bed outlet?

Nope.

 

[ajbrutman]

These new vehicles undoubtedly fulfill almost all the promises we hoped to see. However, it would be extremely unfortunate if there was not a trickle-down to G1. As mentioned, it is definitely possible for many of these updates/upgrades to be brought to G1, and if they are not, I will definitely be a bit disappointed in the Rivian leadership if they deprive Launch Edition owners of continued meaningful improvements.

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