22 vs 20 ride quality for 2025 R1S - worth the swap?

[novajoe83]

Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before...

TL;DR -> how much of a difference would a swap to 20"AT tires (or I guess even 20" AS tires) vs. current 22"AS tires actually make in terms of ride quality for non-off road daily driving?

So the quick preface to this is that I had previously done a buyback of my 2024 model X for constant vibration/ride quality issues (in addition to other issues). So I have spent the last year truly being really unhappy with the way my vehicle drove and without question car vibration/tremor is now VERY quick to bother me in vehicles.

Fast forward to March of this year and I picked up a 2025 R1S. I did two demo drives and both times requested ahead of time to drive the EXACT same configuration that I would be ordering (dual max, no performance upgrade, with 22" AS tires. The first time I was given a tri-motor with 20" AT tires and the second time I was given a dual motor with performance upgrade with 20" AT tires. I asked if the 22 and 20 inch tires were comparable and was told yes. So I assumed the ride quality would be similar. It is, admittedly, a bit frustrating that I was unable to demo drive the precise configuration I had specifically asked to demo drive.

I was pretty pleased with both demo drives with the 20" ATs. I was on a variety of different road types and it felt like a pretty smooth ride. I believe the settings each time were auto height on soft and moderate settings for the ride feel.

The challenge is that for me, the ride quality of the vehicle that I now own (with the 22" AS) is inconsistent at best. On really smooth roads it's *almost* nice. On roads that are anything less, the ride quality is significantly worse. I've tried moderate and soft settings and haven't noticed any meaningful difference - the ride still feels really tremor-y/vibrate-y on many roads...including some that honestly visually seem pretty smooth. I had the SC do an alignment and road force balancing a month ago in the context of addressing some other delivery issues (nothing crazy) and didn't notice any difference in terms of the ride quality.

SO...all of this gets to the question of...would I be likely to experience a significantly improved ride quality on less than perfect roads (not off roading) if I were to make the switch to 20" wheels (presumably with AT tires)? Or perhaps another way to ask it...is it pretty much a given that the 22" AS tires give a pretty substandard ride quality experience unless you are on perfect roads? And perhaps the question I really don't want to ask...should I start going down the road of doing service center appointments because what I'm describing is not normal (but It think it may be from reading other posts).

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[lefkonj]

What are your suspension settings?

 

[Bristlecone]

[QUOTEy="novajoe83, post: 782234, member: 26249"]
Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before...

TL;DR -> how much of a difference would a swap to 20"AT tires (or I guess even 20" AS tires) vs. current 22"AS tires actually make in terms of ride quality for non-off road daily driving?

So the quick preface to this is that I had previously done a buyback of my 2024 model X for constant vibration/ride quality issues (in addition to other issues). So I have spent the last year truly being really unhappy with the way my vehicle drove and without question car vibration/tremor is now VERY quick to bother me in vehicles.

Fast forward to March of this year and I picked up a 2025 R1S. I did two demo drives and both times requested ahead of time to drive the EXACT same configuration that I would be ordering (dual max, no performance upgrade, with 22" AS tires. The first time I was given a tri-motor with 20" AT tires and the second time I was given a dual motor with performance upgrade with 20" AT tires. I asked if the 22 and 20 inch tires were comparable and was told yes. So I assumed the ride quality would be similar. It is, admittedly, a bit frustrating that I was unable to demo drive the precise configuration I had specifically asked to demo drive.

I was pretty pleased with both demo drives with the 20" ATs. I was on a variety of different road types and it felt like a pretty smooth ride. I believe the settings each time were auto height on soft and moderate settings for the ride feel.

The challenge is that for me, the ride quality of the vehicle that I now own (with the 22" AS) is inconsistent at best. On really smooth roads it's *almost* nice. On roads that are anything less, the ride quality is significantly worse. I've tried moderate and soft settings and haven't noticed any meaningful difference - the ride still feels really tremor-y/vibrate-y on many roads...including some that honestly visually seem pretty smooth. I had the SC do an alignment and road force balancing a month ago in the context of addressing some other delivery issues (nothing crazy) and didn't notice any difference in terms of the ride quality.

SO...all of this gets to the question of...would I be likely to experience a significantly improved ride quality on less than perfect roads (not off roading) if I were to make the switch to 20" wheels (presumably with AT tires)? Or perhaps another way to ask it...is it pretty much a given that the 22" AS tires give a pretty substandard ride quality experience unless you are on perfect roads? And perhaps the question I really don't want to ask...should I start going down the road of doing service center appointments because what I'm describing is not normal (but It think it may be from reading other posts).
[/QUOTE]
One thing i would warn you about. I have a 2024 RIS that I ordered with 22 inch wheels. Our main use is going to our remote mountain cabin where the last few miles is on quite rough rocky Forest Service road We’ve destroyed two tires because as I have discovered the sidewalls have too little height. I am next week switching out to 20 inch AT’s with higher aspect ratio. Expensive lesson though I will be selling two sets of 22’s, all seasin and snow, along with the OEM wheels.

 

[novajoe83]

What are your suspension settings?

Auto and Moderate (sometimes I do Auto and Soft but don't really find it makes the ride quality any better)

 

[electruck]

Yes, you should absolutely expect 50 series tires on 22" rims to transmit more of the road into the cabin than 65 series tires on 20" rims.

The rivian's suspension is, by design, performance oriented and very direct (for a truck, not talking sports car level here) and will provide lots of road feedback. So combined with 22s, it may be too much for your liking.

 

[novajoe83]

Yes, you should absolutely expect 50 series tires on 22" rims to transmit more of the road into the cabin than 65 series tires on 20" rims.

The rivian's suspension is, by design, performance oriented and very direct (for a truck, not talking sports car level here) and will provide lots of road feedback. So combined with 22s, it may be too much for your liking.

That's helpful, thank you!

 

[SANZC02]

Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before...

TL;DR -> how much of a difference would a swap to 20"AT tires (or I guess even 20" AS tires) vs. current 22"AS tires actually make in terms of ride quality for non-off road daily driving?

So the quick preface to this is that I had previously done a buyback of my 2024 model X for constant vibration/ride quality issues (in addition to other issues). So I have spent the last year truly being really unhappy with the way my vehicle drove and without question car vibration/tremor is now VERY quick to bother me in vehicles.

Fast forward to March of this year and I picked up a 2025 R1S. I did two demo drives and both times requested ahead of time to drive the EXACT same configuration that I would be ordering (dual max, no performance upgrade, with 22" AS tires. The first time I was given a tri-motor with 20" AT tires and the second time I was given a dual motor with performance upgrade with 20" AT tires. I asked if the 22 and 20 inch tires were comparable and was told yes. So I assumed the ride quality would be similar. It is, admittedly, a bit frustrating that I was unable to demo drive the precise configuration I had specifically asked to demo drive.

I was pretty pleased with both demo drives with the 20" ATs. I was on a variety of different road types and it felt like a pretty smooth ride. I believe the settings each time were auto height on soft and moderate settings for the ride feel.

The challenge is that for me, the ride quality of the vehicle that I now own (with the 22" AS) is inconsistent at best. On really smooth roads it's *almost* nice. On roads that are anything less, the ride quality is significantly worse. I've tried moderate and soft settings and haven't noticed any meaningful difference - the ride still feels really tremor-y/vibrate-y on many roads...including some that honestly visually seem pretty smooth. I had the SC do an alignment and road force balancing a month ago in the context of addressing some other delivery issues (nothing crazy) and didn't notice any difference in terms of the ride quality.

SO...all of this gets to the question of...would I be likely to experience a significantly improved ride quality on less than perfect roads (not off roading) if I were to make the switch to 20" wheels (presumably with AT tires)? Or perhaps another way to ask it...is it pretty much a given that the 22" AS tires give a pretty substandard ride quality experience unless you are on perfect roads? And perhaps the question I really don't want to ask...should I start going down the road of doing service center appointments because what I'm describing is not normal (but It think it may be from reading other posts).

The 22s are not true low profile tires, they have a decent sidewall of almost 5.5 inches. It is about the same as. Jeep GC on 20s.

I find the ride quality pretty decent on the 22s, even better since I replaced my originals with Michelin Defenders LTX M/2.

The OEM 20s are way louder than the 22s.

I usually ride standard height, moderate.

 

[electruck]

One thing i would warn you about. I have a 2024 RIS that I ordered with 22 inch wheels. Our main use is going to our remote mountain cabin where the last few miles is on quite rough rocky Forest Service road We’ve destroyed two tires because as I have discovered the sidewalls have too little height. I am next week switching out to 20 inch AT’s with higher aspect ratio. Expensive lesson though I will be selling two sets of 22’s, all seasin and snow, along with the OEM wheels.

You're problem isn't the sidewall height, it's the puncture resistance of the sidewall. Good off-road tires are designed to better withstand that kind of abuse than highway tires which forego the extra reinforcement in the interest of reduced weight and efficiency.

 

[Mathme]

All things being equal, the smaller the sidewall - 50 series in the 22' vs. 60 or 65 in the 20" - the harsher your car will ride/more sporty it will feel. The taller sidewall will absorb more impacts before the suspension gets to it.

One thing to note about the 20" wheels are all tires are not the same:
There's the original 275/65 20 series that comes with the Pirelli tires. This wheel is about 34" tall. Replacements for this tire run about $450 and when they get about 10k miles on them, the drone gets REALLY loud. Mine are about unbearable at 24k. I also average about 2 miles/kWh on these tires in AP over the life of my truck.

There's also the 275/60 20 series tires that come with the Goodyear tires. This wheel is about 3#" tall and similar in height to the OEM 22" wheels. Replacements cost for the Goodyears is about $250...there also seems to be more tires available in this size for replacements as well.

Either works as you can program the size now in the Settings Menu. My recommendation is to do some research on which tires you prefer going to the 20" wheel.

 

[CANCERDOC]

If you go 20’s and want the best ride quality go with all season tires because the AT tires will eventually get soooo loud it will drive you nuts if you want a smooth ride and pleasant driving experience.

 

[ksumnole]

25 R1T here. My first 4500 miles were on 20’’ AT. I swapped to 22’’ range wheels with Pirelli Scorpion MS. I’m about 1000 miles in. My goal is to commute on the range wheels April to November. Swap to the 20’’ 3 peek AT Dec-March.

My main take away is that the 22’’ feel slightly more stiff, but well planted on tarmac. There is an occasional light hum about 75mph. But they average 2.7 mi/kWh.

The 20’’ AT feel more plush and loose but I only averaged 2 mi/kWh.

I should add I purchased the 22‘’ range wheels from another user at a much discounted price. I don’t think the swap is worth it at the full price Rivian is asking.

 

[ndmiller]

My main take away is that the 22’’ feel slightly more stiff, but well planted on tarmac.

The 20’’ AT feel more plush and loose but I only averaged 2 mi/kWh.

Exactly what I would have expected and the 22's are definitely heavier in the OEM form.

I thought all the combinations had similar overall diameter, so a 22" would have 2 less inches of sidewall than a 20". That in itself is significant with pros and cons already mentioned to go with it.

I picked the 21's back when I bought my R1T which seemed like a compromise until only one tire existed for a good while and I definitely hear road imperfections, but don't feel them.

 

[SANZC02]

Exactly what I would have expected and the 22's are definitely heavier in the OEM form.

I thought all the combinations had similar overall diameter, so a 22" would have 2 less inches of sidewall than a 20". That in itself is significant with pros and cons already mentioned to go with it.

I picked the 21's back when I bought my R1T which seemed like a compromise until only one tire existed for a good while and I definitely hear road imperfections, but don't feel them.

The 21 and 22 inch wheels are 33 inches diameter, the 20s are 34 inch diameter.

 

[lefkonj]

I found soft too bouncing and firm to punishing. With the 22s I don't find the right that harsh but it is a big vehicle and those are some big wheels.

 

[MidnightRivian]

20" with AT for comfort/utility and 22" Sport wheels for performance / grip.

Down the road I plan to pick-up a set of 22" Sport wheels and hopefully some sticky Pirelli or Michelin UHP tires.

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