Gen 2 Rivian R1 - Real Life Pictures & Impressions

[MidnightRivian]

Infotainment computer is the same… if anything you’re stressing the software version.

That’s great news. Hopefully this is the same level of performance we can expect for Gen 1 when the new software release is available OTA.

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[jebinc]

Doors are much easier to close and feel lighter. Less premium feel.

Basic sound system is actually decent for the free option.

The 60 FPS for camera is really noticeable and resolution is crisp to the point you can read text.

EC Roof is nice touch but I will would still prefer a real motorized shade.

The 22” Range wheels are growing on me.

Entertainment system is snappy

Ambient lighting options are nice addition.

Sounds like Sandy "Cheapening" Munro had his way with the refresh. Keeping my 99xx vin R1T as I enjoy the over engineered version, including all of the nice frunk bits that were included in the early originals, like 12v, hinged and double magnet lower frunk hatch, etc. Sure, there are some nice improvements, but I'm not yet convinced (overall) that the refresh is a "better value" than the predecessor. UI software wise, that Adventure software will quickly make it's was to the original, so a push there. To each! ?

 

[jebinc]

One thing I noticed on the Gen1 was the seal was huge and often required a pretty hard slam to get it closed all the way. I wonder if they reduced or changed the seal as well. Interestingly the wading depth of the Gen2 is slightly less than the Gen1. I can't think of what design change outside of the seal might have led to this... Purely speculation on my end though.

We also know Gen 1 can wade into water over 3 feet deep. Can the refresh claim that?

 

[MidnightRivian]

We also know Gen 1 can wade into water over 3 feet deep. Can the refresh claim that?

I looked up the manual for 2022-2024 and then 2025.

They both mention the same depth and also the website too.

https://rivian.com/support/article/r1s-owners-guide

 

[bdwalters]

We also know Gen 1 can wade into water over 3 feet deep. Can the refresh claim that?

What’s the deepest anyone on here has waded?

 

[Mathme]

Every time I look at those 22' Aero wheels, I think: "Hello there 1980s era stock steely wheelies."

 

[jpmc86]

I looked up the manual for 2022-2024 and then 2025.

They both mention the same depth and also the website too.

https://rivian.com/support/article/r1s-owners-guide

It is different. I believe gen 2 has 4” less. Approach and departure angles are slightly different too.

 

[jpmc86]

Sounds like Sandy "Cheapening" Munro had his way with the refresh. Keeping my 99xx vin R1T as I enjoy the over engineered version, including all of the nice frunk bits that were included in the early originals, like 12v, hinged and double magnet lower frunk hatch, etc. Sure, there are some nice improvements, but I'm not yet convinced (overall) that the refresh is a "better value" than the predecessor. UI software wise, that Adventure software will quickly make it's was to the original, so a push there. To each! ?

Agreed - gen 2 are welcome updates, gen 1 is just such a good product really.

My summary is - if you care about autonomy driving, gen 2 “might” and I say might be a better choice. I’m just not holding my breath for anything they promise isn’t available at the beginning. Learn from gen 1 promises

 

[MidnightRivian]

It is different. I believe gen 2 has 4” less. Approach and departure angles are slightly different too.

That’s good to know. Do you have any literature or marketing materials? Hopefully we see some more indepth reviews come out for off-roading.

 

[jpmc86]

That’s good to know. Do you have any literature or marketing materials? Hopefully we see some more indepth reviews come out for off-roading.

I don’t have it with me, but I think Riviantracker has it on X. This is compiled from Kyle and other reviews.

 

[Rivdog]

33 second long video of MidnightRivian trying to stress out the infotainment center.

I believe it’s a beta version of the new release.

Towards the end of the night they locked up the car because they claimed the infotainment was acting up / being glitchy.

I didn’t notice anything like that. The only thing I saw was everyone would right away crank the AC to full and then we would have puddles of water underneath. So they went ahead and locked it up like 1 hour before close.

Folks had 11 hours all day Saturday to test and demo the vehicle inside the showroom and it was chugging along just fine.

only issue I noticed is charge port was stuck open. Someone might have damaged the mechanism.

Thanks for the vid. Yeah, that is a really snappy infotainment system! It’s almost as quick as our phones, or at least that’s how it comes across in the vid.

 

[DuoRivian]

I was there today in Austin.

I like the upgraded interior more than I expected. At least it works in black. The materials are nice and mesh well together. I wouldn’t pay for a tri to get it, but I would pay $2000 to upgrade a dual to it.

I love the new light bar. It’s sleek, modern, and sophisticated. It’s the only thing I didn’t like about the exterior styling in the Gen 1. Now everything is perfect to my eyes. This design is going to be timeless.

The new software is fine. Functionally, it seems about the same. I like the new graphics well enough. The LED interior lighting only allows a few colors, which is a little disappointing. The cameras are stunning. I thought the old ones were fine, but I know many will be excited about the new ones being so much better.

The doors are lighter. I don’t like how they closed. It just didn’t feel right for some reason. Hopefully this is just an early model alignment issue and not a design issue. I like the
Interior button to open the door. It’s much more convenient

The frunk is a little smaller. It would still work for me fine, but if something barely fit before, it probably won’t fit now. I like the new frunk bottom better. It’s not as cheap feeling.

I like the aero 22 wheels better in person, but I still am not crazy about them.

I didn’t get to drive it, but a guide did tell me that the ride, steering, and throttle were all incrementally better.

All in all, I think Rivian did a great job with the refresh. They are keeping their flagship up to date, which is good. I don’t see any game changing improvements, but they have made a bunch of incremental ones that add up to make an already amazing vehicle even more compelling.

Other the color and design choices what material quality upgrades are there in the Ascent vs Adventure? Is there more soft touch material etc?

 

[ccharie]

What’s the deepest anyone on here has waded?

Just this week was pretty deep in some Miami areas. No issues whatsoever-G1 R1S QM performed like a champ. Saw lots of stranded Tesla’s and lots of cars in general being towed.

 

[ForeverOnTheWaitlist]

I guess it depends. The upgrade cost is huge. I've only noticed ride quality in my R1S on I5 South of Seattle, no issues anywhere else but maybe I don't know what I'm missing. I think best case I can sell my Quad R1S Adv for around 20k below the price of a Dual Large Gen2 minus it's options. I'm not rock crawling and the extra range would be nice but it still seems like a questionable upgrade value even if they did some nice updates.

 

[jebinc]

I guess it depends. The upgrade cost is huge. I've only noticed ride quality in my R1S on I5 South of Seattle, no issues anywhere else but maybe I don't know what I'm missing. I think best case I can sell my Quad R1S Adv for around 20k below the price of a Dual Large Gen2 minus it's options. I'm not rock crawling and the extra range would be nice but it still seems like a questionable upgrade value even if they did some nice updates.

Next OTA update is supposed to have a huge suspension retuning included. May all be good in a week or two, for you.

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