Rivian reputation, what do non-Rivian drivers think about Rivians?

[dunkman75]

I've been drooling over the R1T since I first heard about it a few years ago, and I'm very close to buying one.

My wife has a different way of looking at things than I do, a wonderful trait that brings us near perfect balance (so long as I actually listen to her).
She asked me this morning "If you buy the Rivian, what do other people think of them? Is it anything like BMW drivers are jerks or anything like that?"
A question I hadn't considered and I'm not sure it will actually matter to me what the answer is, but I am curious if I'm missing something major.

I'm certainly guilty of instant judgement when I see certain vehicles, I can't wrap my head around why anyone would want to drive a CyberTruck, for instance. BMW drivers have the reputation of never using turn signals, can't imagine where that came from...

So, I ask all you owners and Rivian enthusiasts... what do other people think about you and your Rivians? Is there any sort of stereotype or negative impression that Rivian has?

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[Nixapatfan]

No stereotype or negative impressions that I've witnessed, most folks are curious and don't know what it is. Then once they know it's electric they start trashing the "dumpster looking" one.

 

[shamoo]

Personally, it has been very positive. The contact is usually "How do you like it?" instead of some generally negative comment about EVs and range. I'll caveat this by saying I do live in Southern California which is full of EVs. Every 3rd car is a Tesla.

Really the only downsides are:
- Relatively new company so support might be a bit lacking if you need service/parts/body work.
- SoCal electricity costs are expensive so you're paying nearly the same as gas (cheaper than a gas guzzler, but more than an economy car) if you charge outside of home.

With the Tesla Supercharges being included in our charging network, it makes road trips significantly easier. There's really no limit where you can go no (but note the higher prices for Tesla SCs).

 

[M3_R2]

I know a woman that has a new Ford Explorer who doesn't like the R1S at all and a few guys that don't consider the R1T a real truck and compare it to the Avalanche. I was unable to change their minds. But no stereotypes of owners.

You are good.

 

[wjhdrew]

Mostly people genuinely interested in the vehicle or the upcoming vehicles like the R2. It's been good so far.

 

[COdogman]

My experiences reflect the others here - mostly people curious about the brand or EVs in general. They seem surprised to find out they are made in IL. Those who know what it is will ask how I like it - I get that at work fairly often.

 

[TexasBob]

My wife and I were just talking about this two weeks ago. Our consensus view: everyone likes Rivian. We get all positives on the R1T (and on the R1S before). It is a friendly brand. It is expensive but not pretentious. "You bringin' the Riv?" one of my friends like to ask on beer night. Not everyone thinks the vehicles are their personal taste, of course, but "everyone likes Rivian" is always the answer if she asks what did ____ think of your truck etc. It has become a bit of a joke between us, "everyone likes Rivian" (she drives a model S and so not as much love there...).

 

[Dave Cundiff]

My wife notes that Rivians are pleasant curiosities here in the rural Northwest.

We could get a bad reputation if we purchased a less expensive Cadillac EV. But not with a more expensive Rivian.

People at least give the "benefit of the doubt" that Rivians are purchased for their function and not for their snob value.

That being said, everything could change. A frontal assault on the brand by you-know-which pair of interested people would create a lot of difficulties. RJ is smart to stay out of electoral politics....

 

[TexasBob]

My wife and I were just talking about this two weeks ago. Our consensus view: everyone likes Rivian. We get all positives on the R1T (and on the R1S before). It is a friendly brand. It is expensive but not pretentious. "You bringin' the Riv?" one of my friends like to ask on beer night. Not everyone thinks the vehicles are their personal taste, of course, but "everyone likes Rivian" is always the answer if she asks what did ____ think of your truck etc. It has become a bit of a joke between us, "everyone likes Rivian" (she drives a model S and so not as much love there...).

I should also note I have a "made in the USA sticker on my back window along with stickers from several of my favorite local breweries so there's that. I mean... America.... Beer.... what's not to like?

 

[ukyank]

Besides the annoyance at explaining to people that Rivian is its own company - “yea, but who makes it” - I’ve only had positive interactions regarding the vehicle

 

[Dark Helmet]

What's really interesting about this question is that my experience is similar as others but coming from a reversed perspective. I traded a Model 3 for my R1T, and when I was shopping for the next vehicle I kept getting asked if I was considering the CT. I had objective reasons why I did and didn't like it, but every single time I was getting feedback about the association of the CT to the CEO. I personally don't look at cars like they're each rolling brand ambassadors for the CEO, because even if the CEO is a certain way, the cars themselves are built by a ton of hard-working, well-intentioned people and the product's final out the door existence is because of what they choose to do (or not do) well. It's very clear to me that I might not be in the majority on that perspective, and that's ok.

Anyway, with Rivian it has been a complete absence of any preconception at all. I can't tell if it was simply too new and unknown, or if I just had been talking to folks so strongly opinionated about their dislike of competitors that it left no room to really understand the virtues of the Rivian brand. Whatever the case, I am all about spreading good, factual information and I'm more than happy to help the people I meet understand the highlights of the brand, and talk as objectively as possible about software-defined vehicles. I think that's such an important distinction that's still evolving in the automotive landscape.

One last thing to note: one of my favorite things about shopping for our R1T is how every single Rivian employee we encountered at a Space or Service Center was very complimentary to their biggest competitors. I heard words like, "We are learning from..." and "We're partnering with..." which is a very inclusive way to operate. VERY smart move in my opinion.

 

[SANZC02]

I have had generally good reactions from people even when charging at Superchargers. I think the vehicle is still too new to have a lot of preconceived negative impressions.

I will say they are probably hurting from a lot of press slanted to the negative. I actually had a guy last week ask what I was going to do now that Rivian was bankrupt. He actually did not believe me when I said they were not. That it was an uphill battle yet but explained the size of the VW venture, potential government loan, and enough cash to get to the mass market R2. ??

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

R1T like any other EV truck gets a lots of heat from the Raptor and superduty crowd as emasculating and disempowering, but we are all grown ups, so you can take that for what it is.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

My Rivian has been well received in the circles I travel in. It's equally at home at the crag or a fancy restaurant. Rivian has that adventure branding so that's the main message it gives me.

 

[Jimi]

I've been drooling over the R1T since I first heard about it a few years ago, and I'm very close to buying one.

My wife has a different way of looking at things than I do, a wonderful trait that brings us near perfect balance (so long as I actually listen to her).
She asked me this morning "If you buy the Rivian, what do other people think of them? Is it anything like BMW drivers are jerks or anything like that?"
A question I hadn't considered and I'm not sure it will actually matter to me what the answer is, but I am curious if I'm missing something major.

I'm certainly guilty of instant judgement when I see certain vehicles, I can't wrap my head around why anyone would want to drive a CyberTruck, for instance. BMW drivers have the reputation of never using turn signals, can't imagine where that came from...

So, I ask all you owners and Rivian enthusiasts... what do other people think about you and your Rivians? Is there any sort of stereotype or negative impression that Rivian has?

All very positive feedback from "outsiders." Most think its cool, some ask what it is and who makes it. My close friends and family have all wanted rides or to drive it!

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