What Would Make You Dump Your R1 for an R2

[narmstrong79]

Happy R2 Day - Alright, let’s be honest:

Most of us aren’t content creators needing engagement, or want to rent our lifestyle with endless leasing. So… what would actually make you willingly switch from your R1 to an R2?

Do you think the initial wave will be new buyers or Rivian nerds like us , who must have the latest thing?

My R1S trade‑in value is is likely close to the expected price of an R2. Thanks to pre‑order pricing, I “only” have to eat $10–15K of depreciation, over 2 years of ownership which isn't horrible, Still...not chump change, instead of the $30–40K others have to eat on MSRP.

So now I’m wondering:
What would R2 need to make YOU say, “I’ll take the smaller one”?

• Beside the party trick and coolness of FSD, do you really need or want that?
• Charging is about the same, but I don't road trip much, and after 3 hours of driving i welcome the 15-40 min stop
• The scroll wheel are actually cool
• Switching from a Model Y or other EVs in this segment? Totally makes sense.
  

Let the rationalizations begin. Or are you like me and your R1 is staying with you until the wheels fall off?

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[Puttyandnapalm]

I have a reservation in on R2. Would probably prefer to wait for tri-motor.

I have another truck (Dodge Ram with a manual!) that I can use for “truck purposes” and to be my road trip vehicle, so my purposes for either my current r1t or r2 would be daily driver/occasional off-roader.

My considerations:
1) don’t “need” a truck to be daily driver going to and from work. R2 is more efficient
2) I moved to a house with a smaller garage, and R2 would fit garage better.
3) avoiding the long term air suspension costs in R1

Haven’t decided anything yet, could very well keep R1T until it dies.

 

[jambaman84]

I'm debating about trading in my R1T, but it all depends on the specs. I really want more range, so if there is a version that gets over 400 miles in all wheel drive, I would consider it. I really wish the front seats could have folded down, that would have been great for car camping. But I love the look of it, definitely think we can steal a lot of potential Model Y buyers to R2.

 

[cthelan]

Needs better/faster charging. Doesn’t look like that’s what we’re getting. Appears to be a car that would have done really well in 2024 when it was announced. Old architecture. No major stand out features that would make it compelling.

 

[EV-by-the-Sea]

Warranty expiration on my wife's R1S?

Honestly, I wouldn't mind her driving a smaller vehicle (though, knocking on wood, this is the first one of her vehicles in a long time that hasn't had to visit a body shop), and as you mention, the trade-in value is probably going to be pretty close to the price of a new R2. Less complexity surrounding the suspension is definitely a plus in my opinion, especially given some of the repairs we've had to deal with on hers.

Only downside IMO is that we really do get pretty good utility out of the third row between our two kids and all their friends (field trips, after-school pickups, birthday parties, etc.). Not sure we're ready to give that up yet.

 

[SLVRon]

Nothing. I have a day 1 R2 reservation, but as details leaked out since then it became clear that it wouldn't work for me (not a good enough "adventure vehicle"). I picked up a R1S instead, and if my wife doesn't like the look of the R2 I'll give up my reservation.

 

[iamnid]

What would it take? My number to come up (I put a reservation in on day one). I leased an R1S to hold me over until R2 came out. I guess there'd have to be an easy way out of the lease, depending on when my R2 is available. I like the idea of a smaller vehicle and, to be honest, my R1S is a fairly bad example. It has terrible paint with blemishes all over and it's a bit of a rattle trap. So, yeah, I'd take an R2 as soon as possible.

 

[savethemanual]

I'm actually thinking about purchasing an R1S over the R2, I can see them giving it a mild update within a year to incorporate LiDAR (there's no way only the R2 is going to get it), the updated steering wheel features and some other small tweaks. This wouldn't cost much since it's already developed for the R2 and would breathe a bit of new life into R1.

 

[Osyras]

Nothing could make me switch, I have 2 teens, 2 cats and a dog that go to the cottage plus I tow 6k lbs every other week.

 

[narmstrong79]

I'm actually thinking about purchasing an R1S over the R2, I can see them giving it a mild update within a year to incorporate LiDAR (there's no way only the R2 is going to get it), the updated steering wheel features and some other small tweaks. This wouldn't cost much since it's already developed for the R2 and would breathe a bit of new life into R1.

It's a volume based thing. All efforts are getting R2 out, Open GA, Ramp R2 Production move to R3. It might be longer than you think for R1 to get Lidar. The market for 3-row $100K SUVs in slim and lots of options at lower price points.

 

[antimatter]

If someone came out with a mid-sized EV truck that could tow the same as a R1T, but had regular spring suspension and a bigger battery that charged quicker, I'd seriously think about trading in my current truck. I'm a day to day truck guy, meaning I haul stuff and I tow stuff. I'd don't offroad or 'adventure', because there aren't a lot of opportunities for that where I live.

So, a truck with 200 miles of towing range and faster charging, with a non-bespoke suspension that does OK in snow would get my vote, and my dollars. I bought the R1T because it was the sole mid-sized EV truck available at the time. I don't need huge horsepower numbers or fancy gizmos - what I really want is the EV equivalent of a Ford Ranger or Chevy Colorado.

 

[mkg3]

I'm also in the "nothing" camp.

They serve different purposes and I don't have a need for R2 class of SUV.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Nothing. I love they have built this! I will drive the wheels off my R1T and my wife will hold onto her R1S until there is a Gen 3 with 800V, blah blah blah....R2 is definitely make or break and it looks like they have hit a homerun, short of range.

 

[COdogman]

 

[Great Gatsby]

Have to address one thing first. FSD is not a gimmick or a party trick, at least in its latest iteration. If Rivian gets where Tesla is, it is a genuinely useful feature on the day to day commuting and could make a huge difference. Didn't realize how much energy driving takes from me daily until I realized how much more recharged I arrived at home when the vehicle did most of the drive. I drive a lot, so if the R2 can deliver with UHF and point to point driving, coming from a Gen 1 R1S, that would certainly help me consider getting one.

Back to the original question, I believe most R2 buyers are going to be new to Rivian. Hard to trade from the R1S to a smaller vehicle without an air suspension and third row. The R2 is looking to be great, but the R1 is no slouch either and would only take a mild refresh to help it keep up. The R2 will certainly sell way more than the R1, but I doubt it will take too many buyers from it. As for me personally, I need to see what the R2 Tri has to offer and see it in person. The third row of the R1S is nice to have, but not a necessity for me. I think more people would be interested in a Scout over an R2 if coming from an R1.

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