18 month review, read if you're leasing.....

[Kidentist]

I wanted to post some thoughts on my 18 month experience with the R1T and as always start a “friendly” discussion on the subject.

Type of Purchase: Lease 36 months

Total miles: 15,203

Delivery date: June 2024

Model: R1T Standard Plus

Upgrades: None (I did get the offer to get the Sport mode upgrade)

Total efficiency: 2.33 mi/KwH (terrible in winter, but that’s all EVs)

Current Software Version: 2025.38.0

Color: Limestone

Trim: Adventure Package

Daily use: Primarily to/from work or short commutes in Central WA.

Ok, so moving on with the Likes and “dislikes” part. I want to be as honest as possible and encourage you folks to share your experiences.

So let’s start with “Costs” of ownership: I did purchase your “basic” extras like rubber mats (Rivian), cargo cross bars (Rivian in matte black), NACS adapter (at that time the Rivian Adapter was not available), Magnetic Jack Pucks, and some other nick-nacks for interior (trays). I have done this for our other vehicles so I would consider these expected expenses.
As far as charging 95% is done at home and I have NOT seen a significant increase in our power bill since the car was purchased. Charging in public has been a “mixed” experience, I do hate EA with a passion, but Tesla is awesome and flawless every time. I’ve only used the Rivian Network once. Since my lease is extremely inexpensive ($238 month) I can say that the overall cost of ownership is a plus.

As far as fit and finish, I’ve had no issues other than the tonneau cover which no longer closes completely (I have to stop it right before hits the end to make it fit right). I do know there is a way to correct this, but I don’t use the bed of the truck often enough to warrant doing this. Interior and exterior finish of the car is excellent so no complaints. The “looks” of the car are still eye-catching so overall on this area I give it a plus. I do expect the tonneau cover to continue to be an issue and I do not trust it will ever be completely solved as the design is terrible and will likely lead to failure over time. I have been lucky with the overall "mechanics" of the vehicle and so far have had no issues, although the suspension can be a bit noisy with moving up/down (almost feels as if something will break).

Driving experience: I give it a “meh”. I do not drive it like a "sports car" and I do not expect it to behave like one, but it is just a "numb" drive feeling. Perhaps it is unfair to compare to our other vehicles as they do tend to feel sportier. I do have to say that I am PROFOUNDLY disappointed with their adaptive cruise control. Coming from a 2018 Audi Q8 which had a very user friendly ACC, Rivian’s technology is simply archaic. I would use adjectives like unreliable, jerky, unpredictable to describe their Driver + assist. Many of the roads in my area are “unavailable” and forget about using it in town. I know they will focus their efforts on Gen.2 so I expect the ACC to remain terrible at best, I simply try not to use the Driver+ and I really dislike how it slows down on curves placing me at risk of getting rear ended by some speeder. So as far as driving experience is concerned, and especially due to the driving assist technology I give it a HUGE NEGATIVE.

I do not know what will happen at the end of my lease, but it is likely that I will move on to an ICE vehicle (Audi or Porsche as we’ve owned several of those). Is the R2 an option? Maybe, but it will be hard to beat my current costs of ownership.

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[mkhuffman]

I was loaned a Gen1 Quad when my truck was in for the 7k service, and I agree - the Gen2 cruise control is easier to use and more intuitive.

It is possible the Gen3 R1 will be out when your lease ends, so maybe you can trade in for that. Trading in for a Gen2 will also be a big improvement for you since you put high value on adaptive cruise. Even if Gen3 isn't ready, I bet the Gen2 will have point-to-point supervised self-driving by then. Something to consider...

 

[VSG]

Total efficiency: 2.33 mi/KwH (terrible in winter, but that’s all EVs)

Efficiency for ICE vehicles is ALSO terrible in winter.
I don't know why it is a surprise that EVs also perform less efficiently in winter, for pretty much the same reasons and with pretty much the same workarounds.

I do have to say that I am PROFOUNDLY disappointed with their adaptive cruise control. Coming from a 2018 Audi Q8 which had a very user friendly ACC, Rivian’s technology is simply archaic. I would use adjectives like unreliable, jerky, unpredictable to describe their Driver + assist. Many of the roads in my area are “unavailable” and forget about using it in town. I know they will focus their efforts on Gen.2 so I expect the ACC to remain terrible at best, I simply try not to use the Driver+ and I really dislike how it slows down on curves placing me at risk of getting rear ended by some speeder. So as far as driving experience is concerned, and especially due to the driving assist technology I give it a HUGE NEGATIVE.

You're mixing your terms. Are you talking about ACC or HWA or both? Driver+ refers to the entire suite of driver assistance technologies, including rear cross-traffic detection, forward collision warning, etc. HWA is the function that enables hands-on self-steering on mapped highways (hence the name HIGHWAY Assist). Adaptive Cruise Control is just traffic-aware cruise control.

I find ACC on my Gen 1 R1T works far far BETTER than ACC on any other vehicle I've ever driven. I personally would prefer it to accelerate faster and slow down sooner, but that's more a matter of preference than it doing anything wrong. I guess it's driving "spicy" when I would prefer more "mild" ...

I personally don't find HWA very useful, but I also feel no need to attack it - if you don't like how it works, just don't use it. It doesn't claim to be FSD, and it doesn't claim to be more than it is. Maybe that's not enough for you, but that's the feature as defined.

 

[VandalSibs]

Total efficiency: 2.33 mi/KwH (terrible in winter, but that’s all EVs)

Efficiency for ICE vehicles is ALSO terrible in winter.
I don't know why it is a surprise that EVs also perform less efficiently in winter, for pretty much the same reasons and with pretty much the same workarounds.

I always wonder why people forget that the laws of physics apply to both EVs and ICE.

 

[Kidentist]

Efficiency for ICE vehicles is ALSO terrible in winter.
I don't know why it is a surprise that EVs also perform less efficiently in winter, for pretty much the same reasons and with pretty much the same workarounds.


You're mixing your terms. Are you talking about ACC or HWA or both? Driver+ refers to the entire suite of driver assistance technologies, including rear cross-traffic detection, forward collision warning, etc. HWA is the function that enables hands-on self-steering on mapped highways (hence the name HIGHWAY Assist). Adaptive Cruise Control is just traffic-aware cruise control.

I find ACC on my Gen 1 R1T works far far BETTER than ACC on any other vehicle I've ever driven. I personally would prefer it to accelerate faster and slow down sooner, but that's more a matter of preference than it doing anything wrong. I guess it's driving "spicy" when I would prefer more "mild" ...

I personally don't find HWA very useful, but I also feel no need to attack it - if you don't like how it works, just don't use it. It doesn't claim to be FSD, and it doesn't claim to be more than it is. Maybe that's not enough for you, but that's the feature as defined.

YOU Sir are correct. I used the incorrect term which is HWA when referring to the sub-optimal performing software. I am ok with ACC, although I wish it would also allow me to use lane keep assist in normal driving mode (as my Cayenne and Audi can). I am NO fan of FSD nor do I care for it, but I do find HWA quite unnerving and unpredictable.
Hope this clarifies things.

 

[VSG]

I am ok with ACC, although I wish it would also allow me to use lane keep assist in normal driving mode (as my Cayenne and Audi can). I do find HWA quite unnerving and unpredictable.
Hope this clarifies things

Thanks. Yes, it does. One of the reasons I don't use HWA is it feels like I need to pay *more* attention - as if my teenager were driving ... I don't see HWA as a "negative" because I never expected it to be more than it is. But I personally list it as a "positive" either. But I'm perfectly happy with ACC as it is.

 

[richguess]

I bought a used 2024 Q8 Etron while waiting for the R2. But, I may stretch that out to the R3X, as I do like driving the Etron.

 

[therealcmj]

Thanks for the read.

My previous ride was a Volvo XC40 and was the first model year of that car and the first car with “Pilot Assist”. I moved from that to a 2025 Gen2 R1S and was supremely disappointed with the driver assist feature on the R1. I thought it was jerky, inconsistent, drove dangerously close to large vehicles in the next lane, and more. And it only worked on highways where the Volvo would allow it everywhere the lanes were reasonably well marked.

But in the year since my initial experience the upgrades have been insane. In Jan ‘25 I drove to Florida from Boston. And then back in April. In the intervening 3 months the system went from “hands on all the time” to fully hands off on the highway. I drove most of the way back with my hands in my lap. And it’s kept improving since then. I still think lidar is critical to get to level 3, but vision + radar in the Gen2 platform is very, very good.

So to anyone reading for whom driver assistance is important I would take the fact that the DAS in gen1 and gen2 are completely different under advisement.

I’m also shocked that you would even consider going back to a gas car. I can’t imagine doing that after my experience with a EV. Could you maybe expound on why?

 

[DD4ST]

I have the same vintage truck with lease starting in April 24. I have Dual Max Pack though, and the free Performance upgrade. You have a killer lease payment (mine is $812), although I did get the NACS and some other things free. I would agree with the lane keeping features of the Gen 1 R1T, especially since I also own an Audi eTron. The eTron is MUCH better on virtually any road. I also like the implementation of their integrated physical/regen braking better for smoother cruising. Its efficiency is also on par or better, but it is also lighter. Its only lag, if you call it that, is that it nags me more to keep a finger on the steering wheel. I think Rivian will get there but I am surprised Rivian did not build that into their Gen 1 with better sensors and processing for a $100K vehicle. I spent a little on accessories, as you did, and did the DIY front end PPF. I’ll probably look at alternatives at the end of the lease. I don’t know if I’ll go back to ICE. I hate having to change oil, etc., of ICE maintenance. And I like the torque of EVs.

As for your PTC, absolutely apply the fix. No reason to live with a workaround. It is super easy, requiring just a specific pattern of pushes of the button. Takes less than a minute. The action performs a recalibration. The problem seems to happen after some updates. I’ve done it twice.

 

[Judd]

Not sure why people get so defensive about the feedback provided. No denying his points except folks correcting his terms.

I bought a 2023 R1T Quad used, I’ve had it coming up on a year in March. I always charge at home and have saved quite a bit of money on cost of ownership. I way underestimated the amount of fun it would be to drive. It’s also the fastest vehicle I’ve owned.

But the automation in the vehicle rivals what I had in my 2015 F150 (less the lane centering). Tesla is light years ahead of them on automation. It’s fine, I knew that going in and didn’t want the stupid looking truck.

Would I buy it again? Yeah, it’s a cool truck and fun to drive. Great 1st EV, no disappointment.

 

[Kidentist]

Why ICE? Good question. I guess it would be the lack of (for now) compelling EV options. I do like the practicality of a "truck" but for those times I need to haul stuff, I can always rent one if needed. Also -and this may only apply to me- my dear wife does not like driving my truck and since we may go down to a 2 car household (kid going to college), I would need a vehicle she feels comfortable in.
I can understand why EV would make more sense in the cities, but here (rural WA), distances/weather can make it less than ideal when it comes to charging frequency. Like I said, the R2 could be an option, but realistically it will not be available by the time my lease is up.
Have you guys looked at your residuals after the lease is over? What are your thoughts on them? I am wondering if the true value of the truck would be less than the residual seeing as how used EVs are dropping in value. Again, things can change a lot in 18 months, I do not hate my truck and enjoy the practicality and not having to "service it" every year (unlike my wife's Porche $ervices)

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