Any one regretted the R1S based on size?

[Capri]

This is a tough question that I often struggle with. I've always loved driving small cars, and the R1S is way bigger than anything else I've ever owned.

I regret the R1S's size fairly often, like whenever I see a nice corner I could throw it into, parking or washing it, or looking at it's abysmal (for an EV) efficiency.

But I also often appreciate the capabilities that come with its size - occasional trips with 6 people, moving, dump trips, giving away or picking up furniture, towing, etc.

In short, it's a pretty standard size trade-off. And one that I'm willing to make, obviously, as I still have it. I had more fun driving smaller cars, but there were things I couldn't do with them that I can do with this.

I see you have a Tesla Roadster. I had one as my daily driver for 7 years and loved it, but I eventually had to get something bigger as it was difficult for my mother to get in and out and I needed to drive her around a bit. So there are trade-offs both ways. To my mind the best thing, if you can, is to have one big vehicle like the R1S and one small one like the Roadster, and take the appropriate one for each trip.

Good points.Yes we have the Tesla roadtser which is more for fun, we use the Honda element mostly and husband bikes to work. The parking and manoeuvrability are my main concerns. I do want a vehicle that allows for the interior cargo space by putting down the seats (like my element) I’m just not sure I can wait for R2 and what the actual final price etc will be

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[Capri]

Our R1S promptly named itself: "Behemoth." We had to get used to the size.

When my brother-in-law died, Behemoth helped the family clear out his apartment more quickly.

We can usually haul, in one trip, all the supplies that our rural Food Bank needs -- even in the rain.

The sensors and cameras help us park safely -- and centered! -- in tight or irregular spaces.

I'm confident that if we camped, we'd be grateful for the ample interior space in the R1S.

***

Our current plan is to get an R2 as an affordable backup vehicle and for personal trips, probably without selling the R1S or R1T.

I'm glad we didn't wait for the R2 to get our first Rivian.

Very best wishes, @Capri!

Thank you! Great perspectives

 

[DKM_R1S]

Sorry, I didn’t really answer your question in my previous reply. We transitioned from both driving MINIs for almost 20 years to Model Y last year then R1S earlier this year. We have no regrets about the size of the R1S. I am the primary driver. It did take a while to adjust to the size; the 360-degrees of cameras made this easy, especially when navigating a tight parking ramp.

 

[JackRussellRacing]

I have a T -- frankly, it is too big for what I really need. Wife + corgi + road bikes hanging off the back. It's a right PITA to park it 'downtown' in my little hamlet, let alone in our public parking decks.

On the other hand... we took a holiday road trip last week (our son was home from college) and it easily held everything for the whole family and was way more comfortable than our other vehicles (Subaru outback, Chevy bolt). It's very nice having a truck bed, but make no mistake about it --- for folks who normally drive 'cars', the R1T is very big.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

The R1S is an excellent vehicle and very efficient EV for its size. It’s about 18 inches shorter than R1T and we have never had a problem with its size (e.g. parking in malls, garages, etc).

The only time we typically have an issue with size is if the vehicle is either too large to fit into parking spots/garages, the size results in poor fuel economy/efficiency, or if the vehicle is too small.

If I was in your situation, I might consider leasing for 24 months (if that’s feasible for you) and then coordinating the end of that lease with your R2. The R2 will be quite a bit smaller and should also be more efficient.

 

[iansriv]

Love my R1S. No regrets. It took me some time to get used to because I've always had very small cars. The R2 will probably be a lot less complicated such as no air suspension. I like that. If you look at the dimensions, the R2 appears to be about 75-80% of the size of the R1 so it's not exactly a mini-me. All the best.

 

[bronco7777]

We just purchased our R1S Quad this year and the only thing that's been tough about the size is the height off the floor for my wife (She's 5.3). Even in the lowest setting it's tough for her to get in or out of the car. So I will take care of that by purchasing running boards soon. Otherwise the size has been great. We took the R1S on a beach camping trip and slept in the car using an air mattress and it felt like a hotel suite in there. If you like camping, hiking, biking trips or anything else outdoorsy then I think you won't go wrong with the R1S.

 

[Engineer]

I am actually frustrated that they didn't make the S the same length as the T. the 3rd row could use the extra inches.

If they came out with an R1S-xl with more 3rd row leg room and more storage with captains chairs in the 2rd row (walk through middle) i would upgrade in a heartbeat.

 

[usulio]

We are considering the R1S but it’s much larger than our current small suv. (We also have a reservation on a R2 but I imagine it will be two years before it’s in Canada). Anyone find their R1s is too large? There is just two of us but we bike, hike, camp etc

I find the R1S is almost too large to make parking in the city reasonable, but it's not too large. Some spots are tighter than others but it usually can turn and fit ok. Not always fun. But here in the US it's never the biggest car in the lot either (by a long shot usually). The birds eye camera helps a ton with parking.

If you have a second smaller car that you can use for quick trips around town then I would recommend the R1S for your adventures in a heartbeat. If you still need the R1S to do lots of city driving, it can handle it, but it's a trade-off for sure.

 

[JoeGiul]

Coming off a Macan S it was a surprise. Still a little challenging getting in garage and some tight parking spaces. Better all the time.

 

[Cycliste]

We are considering the R1S but it’s much larger than our current small suv. (We also have a reservation on a R2 but I imagine it will be two years before it’s in Canada). Anyone find their R1s is too large? There is just two of us but we bike, hike, camp etc

The R1T is fantastic for cyclists. I drive to our Club’s ride start 3 days per week and put my bike in the truck bed using a Saris Traps Triple Rack (https://saris.com/products/traps-triple-track) and the gear tunnel for all my cycling gear like helmet, shoes, nutrition, and extra clothing. I don’t like putting my bike on a receiver mounted rack. This is perfect for road trips. I have car pooled to a ride start from our AirBnB with 4 people and the bikes in the bed using two Traps in the bed with the tailgate down, and no gear inside the cabin (Yosemite Tioga Pass Car Free Day)

My vehicle before was a 2012 Impreza and I put the bike inside lying derailleur side up on foam. The R1T felt very big at first, but after a few weeks it just feels normal.

 

[Captain JB]

It is a wide car for sure and a bit annoying when parking in public places. The cameras help but parking my Chevy Volt was a non-event compared to parking the R1S. It is a very deliberate and mindful task.

 

[SadHill]

Thanks for the feedback. I much prefer the functional interior space of the Rivian to any of the teslas and the height for getting in and out. My current Honda element I drive with my back seats up mostly to keep the cargo space free. I really like the idea of the R2 but it seems this could be a long wait in Canada and many unknowns on price etc

I had a Honda Element years ago. It was a terrible vehicle (for me). The 4 cylinder was way under powered (would have to floor it to go up small hills). The awd system was awful (got stuck in 6” of snow on a flat driveway). and the thing shifted constantly (especially going up those small hills). I owned it for about 18 months and couldn’t wait to get rid of it. The rear doors are awful too. Prob the only good thing on it was the rubber interior that I could hose out after my muddy Great Dane was in it. But then again that rubber always had a cheap smell to it that my wife (girlfriend at that time) hated.
You will be much happier in either the T or S.

 

[ja_kub_sz]

I regret the 0% financing on Hummer EV SUT, and the smaller size of my R1T.

But whatever I buy next will be larger. Either way, I know I'd be more annoyed by the Hummer then my Rivian at this point.

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