Totaled the Royvian, What's Next?

[bagsofcole]

I wish this was under better conditions but I have freed myself from my 2022 R1T. Just under 47,000 miles and the only miles it has left on it is a flatbed to Copart to become an organ donor. I've been quite vocal about my love hate for this truck. I first took notice during Covid on Long Way Up as a prototype support vehicle for Ewan and Charlie's 4th adventure, but a first on EV motorcycles. Rivian caught my attention with it's awesomeness of no gas, +800 hp, a bed for all my manly to-dos, and Tank Turn (LOL) in case I go down a road that just doesn't go anywhere. Back in 22 Toyota and all the other legacy Dealers were tacking on thousands of dollars to MSRP for whatever vehicle they could get on the lot. Then there was this start up full of promises of a quirky looking, game changing pickup at a very reasonable (pre-hike) price. I threw my deposit down, fast forward 3+ years, and here we are.

It’s been a dream to drive, but anytime it needed service the dream turned into a nightmare. It’s never left me stranded, and I have always been given a loaner or rental, but it doesn’t seem service really listens, diagnoses, or is capable of fixing some of the lingering issues I’ve had since day one. Some of the updates help, but then the next one will break it again. The biggest for me is getting into the vehicle. I’ll stand at the door with phone and key fob on my person, and it may NEVER open unless I physically intervene. It's like Showdown at the OK Corral. After I take the phone out of my pocket and just before I touch the screen to open the Rivian App, it unlocks! And of course service claims it's working as intended. Other than that, some infotainment bugs, and interior lighting issues, she’s been a real trooper. I’ve had the 12V batteries replaced twice under warranty and they usually reach out to me about that. The heater malfunctioned early on and they towed it the the SC and resolved that. That repair created a few new noises but I’ve learned to live with the creaks and rattles. Maybe because I was in the industry, I’m critical, but as nice is everyone in service is, they are equally incompetent. I’ve had multiple return trips for simple things, mobile service has made multiple trips for simple, things, and it seems they attempt to repair from my description rather than diagnosing the issues themselves. My last service visit they cracked my windshield and didn’t tell me, notified me via app it was ready but was closed upon arrival even though their web site claims otherwise, then multiple people gave me the run around for a few weeks promising to get back to me and of course didn’t. I’m not sure I’m prepared to go through it all again. So as I’ve said in many posts, I LOVE DRIVING my Rivian, but the (lack of) service and plethora of bugs are dealbreakers (or are they)?

This brings to the reason for this post. Now that I’m in a position where I have to replace the Royvian, I told my self stop the madness and get something from an established brand that knows how to take care of customers and their vehicles. After a week or so of shopping I’m not sure how attainable that really is in the EV space, or just living in 2026 Idiocracy. Here’s my short list, if anyone has experience with these ‘competitors’, let me know your thoughts. I understand most of these are apples to oranges, but I’m sold on EV life after two Teslas and a Rivian, not sure I can go back to an ICE vehicle under 835 HP

I’d like to keep it around $50k and still have a year or two of warranty.

2022/2023 Audi E-Tron GT, RS if I get lucky - I’d prefer the Taycan, but there’s just so much more value with the Audi and I prefer a sleeper, and it's cheaper.

2022/2023 Rivian R1T - maybe this time I’ll find one with a powered tonneau so I can throw away my PVC fence slat cover. Also, I’m going in knowing (lack of) service and bugs are just part of living with a Rivian (and perhaps all EVs?)


Those are the top contenders, but I'm open to other pre-owned...

Kia EV6 GT / Hyundai Ionic 5 N - good performance and charging speeds

Blazer EV / Silverado EV - I hear good things about SuperCruise and they have buttons

Lucid - cheap and great range but buggier than Rivian?

BMW i4 - subscription happy?

Mach-E / Lighting - IT'S NOT A MUSTANG!!! I grew up with a couple 60's and Fox bodies, and I refuse to accept a 4 door SUV being called a Mustang



If I get some honest input and not just blasted for expressing my discontent for Riv, I’ll share some photos of what happened to the Royvian when I zigged but I should have zagged.

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[Druidspirit]

We have a 2024 Mach E and the walk away lock seems to work fairly well but unlocking is about 50/50. And if it doesn't unlock without pulling out the phone, it means it isn't going to start by the phone either. So you have to put in your passcode to start it.

We just sold our Lightning for our Rivian and it had more rattles than any other vehicle I've ever owned. Same deal with the dealership, they mysteriously couldn't hear or feel that the driver's side door felt like it was about to fall off any time you went over a bump. I don't think crappy service is unique to Rivian. Sometimes you get someone who cares, most of the time you don't.

Software with Ford is the absolute worst, people complain about not having Apple Carplay, but no way I want to deal with that junk again. You would get into drive either vehicle and maybe carplay would work, probably wouldn't. We needed to do an infotainment reset a least once a day to get carplay to work. Even though Ford claims they use OTA updates, we've had to take it in for service for almost every update. We maybe get 1 OTA update a year if that. They also refuse to give any new features to previous year models.

We've had zero issues with our Gen2 R1S so far, no creaks, no rattles. Car locks and unlocks and starts from the phone key without having to pull the phone out. Even our sound system is 1000x times better than either the Mach E or Lightning, there really is no comparison.

We never had a Gen1, but the build quality of our Gen2 is top notch and I would take that any day above Ford or Chevy. And don't even get me started on Kia/Hyundai, my brother-in-law goes through about 4 of those a year. I think they are literally made to trash and throw away. He drives for Uber and gets it through them and instead of fixing everything that breaks on them, they just give him another new one. They last for about 5k miles.

 

[2kwik4u]

When my lease is up (or hopefully totalled before then), I think I'm going back to Audi. I'm an engineer, and I think the Germans and I are on a closer wavelength than the Silicon Valley crew.

I won't have dash vents adjusted through a screen again.

I won't have PaaK again. Physical, Mechanical keys are required.

I don't like constant updates. Breaks as much stuff as it fixes. The "software defined vehicle" isn't for me.

Was hopeful Scout would be a good fit, VW owned, Rivian software, and similar capability to a Rivian....but they're going EREV and are significantly delayed.

Bought an older Ducati a few months ago, it's about as analog of an experience as I can get. Might go back to "full analog" for my daily driver with a B7 RS4. Might also consider an older LX570. I can buy those for the same cash I spent on 36mo of lease payments. Really like the OG eTron S as well if I decide to stay electric. Might consider a CPO lightning as well. If I had to buy something right this second, I would find a CPO SQ7, and likely be a happy camper. I miss my '17 Q7.

Good luck, be curious to see where you land.

 

[Throwdown]

I wish this was under better conditions but I have freed myself from my 2022 R1T. Just under 47,000 miles and the only miles it has left on it is a flatbed to Copart to become an organ donor. I've been quite vocal about my love hate for this truck. I first took notice during Covid on Long Way Up as a prototype support vehicle for Ewan and Charlie's 4th adventure, but a first on EV motorcycles. Rivian caught my attention with it's awesomeness of no gas, +800 hp, a bed for all my manly to-dos, and Tank Turn (LOL) in case I go down a road that just doesn't go anywhere. Back in 22 Toyota and all the other legacy Dealers were tacking on thousands of dollars to MSRP for whatever vehicle they could get on the lot. Then there was this start up full of promises of a quirky looking, game changing pickup at a very reasonable (pre-hike) price. I threw my deposit down, fast forward 3+ years, and here we are.

It’s been a dream to drive, but anytime it needed service the dream turned into a nightmare. It’s never left me stranded, and I have always been given a loaner or rental, but it doesn’t seem service really listens, diagnoses, or is capable of fixing some of the lingering issues I’ve had since day one. Some of the updates help, but then the next one will break it again. The biggest for me is getting into the vehicle. I’ll stand at the door with phone and key fob on my person, and it may NEVER open unless I physically intervene. It's like Showdown at the OK Corral. After I take the phone out of my pocket and just before I touch the screen to open the Rivian App, it unlocks! And of course service claims it's working as intended. Other than that, some infotainment bugs, and interior lighting issues, she’s been a real trooper. I’ve had the 12V batteries replaced twice under warranty and they usually reach out to me about that. The heater malfunctioned early on and they towed it the the SC and resolved that. That repair created a few new noises but I’ve learned to live with the creaks and rattles. Maybe because I was in the industry, I’m critical, but as nice is everyone in service is, they are equally incompetent. I’ve had multiple return trips for simple things, mobile service has made multiple trips for simple, things, and it seems they attempt to repair from my description rather than diagnosing the issues themselves. My last service visit they cracked my windshield and didn’t tell me, notified me via app it was ready but was closed upon arrival even though their web site claims otherwise, then multiple people gave me the run around for a few weeks promising to get back to me and of course didn’t. I’m not sure I’m prepared to go through it all again. So as I’ve said in many posts, I LOVE DRIVING my Rivian, but the (lack of) service and plethora of bugs are dealbreakers (or are they)?

This brings to the reason for this post. Now that I’m in a position where I have to replace the Royvian, I told my self stop the madness and get something from an established brand that knows how to take care of customers and their vehicles. After a week or so of shopping I’m not sure how attainable that really is in the EV space, or just living in 2026 Idiocracy. Here’s my short list, if anyone has experience with these ‘competitors’, let me know your thoughts. I understand most of these are apples to oranges, but I’m sold on EV life after two Teslas and a Rivian, not sure I can go back to an ICE vehicle under 835 HP

I’d like to keep it around $50k and still have a year or two of warranty.

2022/2023 Audi E-Tron GT, RS if I get lucky - I’d prefer the Taycan, but there’s just so much more value with the Audi and I prefer a sleeper, and it's cheaper.

2022/2023 Rivian R1T - maybe this time I’ll find one with a powered tonneau so I can throw away my PVC fence slat cover. Also, I’m going in knowing (lack of) service and bugs are just part of living with a Rivian (and perhaps all EVs?)


Those are the top contenders, but I'm open to other pre-owned...

Kia EV6 GT / Hyundai Ionic 5 N - good performance and charging speeds

Blazer EV / Silverado EV - I hear good things about SuperCruise and they have buttons

Lucid - cheap and great range but buggier than Rivian?

BMW i4 - subscription happy?

Mach-E / Lighting - IT'S NOT A MUSTANG!!! I grew up with a couple 60's and Fox bodies, and I refuse to accept a 4 door SUV being called a Mustang



If I get some honest input and not just blasted for expressing my discontent for Riv, I’ll share some photos of what happened to the Royvian when I zigged but I should have zagged.

I went with a sierra ev denali first edition and put hummer ev 18in wheels on it. Couldn't deal with 24in stock wheels, especially when they dont make snow tires in that size at all. I want a taycan cross turismo but I can't have that and the truck.

 

[bagsofcole]

No one was harmed, just my ego, pride, and ok, my ribs a little, probably from the seatbelt. Thanks for the helpful replies, honestly thought I'd get grilled here talking about jumping ship. I just test drove a 22 T Limestone with Forrest Green interior and a working tonneau cover! It's out of warranty with 65k miles so I'd probably get XCare, but it's definitely in the running. The weirdest thing is it was on the 2025.3something SW version and no update available. Maybe if it was to connect to wifi or connect+ it would get the push?

I'm a man of my word....

 

[mikehmb]

I wish this was under better conditions but I have freed myself from my 2022 R1T. Just under 47,000 miles and the only miles it has left on it is a flatbed to Copart to become an organ donor. I've been quite vocal about my love hate for this truck. I first took notice during Covid on Long Way Up as a prototype support vehicle for Ewan and Charlie's 4th adventure, but a first on EV motorcycles. Rivian caught my attention with it's awesomeness of no gas, +800 hp, a bed for all my manly to-dos, and Tank Turn (LOL) in case I go down a road that just doesn't go anywhere. Back in 22 Toyota and all the other legacy Dealers were tacking on thousands of dollars to MSRP for whatever vehicle they could get on the lot. Then there was this start up full of promises of a quirky looking, game changing pickup at a very reasonable (pre-hike) price. I threw my deposit down, fast forward 3+ years, and here we are.

It’s been a dream to drive, but anytime it needed service the dream turned into a nightmare. It’s never left me stranded, and I have always been given a loaner or rental, but it doesn’t seem service really listens, diagnoses, or is capable of fixing some of the lingering issues I’ve had since day one. Some of the updates help, but then the next one will break it again. The biggest for me is getting into the vehicle. I’ll stand at the door with phone and key fob on my person, and it may NEVER open unless I physically intervene. It's like Showdown at the OK Corral. After I take the phone out of my pocket and just before I touch the screen to open the Rivian App, it unlocks! And of course service claims it's working as intended. Other than that, some infotainment bugs, and interior lighting issues, she’s been a real trooper. I’ve had the 12V batteries replaced twice under warranty and they usually reach out to me about that. The heater malfunctioned early on and they towed it the the SC and resolved that. That repair created a few new noises but I’ve learned to live with the creaks and rattles. Maybe because I was in the industry, I’m critical, but as nice is everyone in service is, they are equally incompetent. I’ve had multiple return trips for simple things, mobile service has made multiple trips for simple, things, and it seems they attempt to repair from my description rather than diagnosing the issues themselves. My last service visit they cracked my windshield and didn’t tell me, notified me via app it was ready but was closed upon arrival even though their web site claims otherwise, then multiple people gave me the run around for a few weeks promising to get back to me and of course didn’t. I’m not sure I’m prepared to go through it all again. So as I’ve said in many posts, I LOVE DRIVING my Rivian, but the (lack of) service and plethora of bugs are dealbreakers (or are they)?

This brings to the reason for this post. Now that I’m in a position where I have to replace the Royvian, I told my self stop the madness and get something from an established brand that knows how to take care of customers and their vehicles. After a week or so of shopping I’m not sure how attainable that really is in the EV space, or just living in 2026 Idiocracy. Here’s my short list, if anyone has experience with these ‘competitors’, let me know your thoughts. I understand most of these are apples to oranges, but I’m sold on EV life after two Teslas and a Rivian, not sure I can go back to an ICE vehicle under 835 HP

I’d like to keep it around $50k and still have a year or two of warranty.

2022/2023 Audi E-Tron GT, RS if I get lucky - I’d prefer the Taycan, but there’s just so much more value with the Audi and I prefer a sleeper, and it's cheaper.

2022/2023 Rivian R1T - maybe this time I’ll find one with a powered tonneau so I can throw away my PVC fence slat cover. Also, I’m going in knowing (lack of) service and bugs are just part of living with a Rivian (and perhaps all EVs?)


Those are the top contenders, but I'm open to other pre-owned...

Kia EV6 GT / Hyundai Ionic 5 N - good performance and charging speeds

Blazer EV / Silverado EV - I hear good things about SuperCruise and they have buttons

Lucid - cheap and great range but buggier than Rivian?

BMW i4 - subscription happy?

Mach-E / Lighting - IT'S NOT A MUSTANG!!! I grew up with a couple 60's and Fox bodies, and I refuse to accept a 4 door SUV being called a Mustang



If I get some honest input and not just blasted for expressing my discontent for Riv, I’ll share some photos of what happened to the Royvian when I zigged but I should have zagged.

I'm not going to blast you for your discontent. I'm a fanboy but am getting tired of service visits, myself.

I've only driven a few of the things on that list. Here are my limited impressions with a focus on nitpicks which might not affect you:

i4 - drove for 2 weeks, great driver, very BMW in general, HATE the piped-in noise which I'm told can be disabled via ODB, but otherwise a very solid sports sedan (I've had many other BMWs, this holds up)
EV6 - got some punch, great utility, like how it looks, cousin of the GV60 but still pretty great interior. Didn't put enough miles on it to give a full review, but I'd take one.
Silverado - amazeballs range, plenty of space, has CarPlay if that's your jam, but I hate everything else about it. The ergonomics were terrible for me, and I'm a pretty bog-standard 5'10" 180lb dude. Felt like I was a little kid at a very tall table, always wishing the seat went up 3". Perhaps this is solvable in the higher trims.

We have a Genesis GV60 and I adore that car. It's solid, doesn't do anything stupid, has pretty decent range, is a proper luxury car (or luxury-adjacent), also has CarPlay (which I don't like but it's better than their standard UI), and came with free charging for 3 years.

Have you considered a Taycan? That's also on my list to try in the next year or so.

I have a neighbor with a Lucid. It's never gone for extended periods of time, which implies that it's not at the shop all the time. I've never asked him about it, but am curious.

 

[Judd]

Like @More Juice Please I have a car problem. I’ve owned my 23 R1T quad a year and put right at 12k miles on it. It’s my first EV. I don’t drive it away, where I have to charge on the road, I’ve got a 2010 F250 I use for those trips. It’s a blast to drive as my commuter car and as strange as it is for me to say I think I really love this truck. It does everything well and the gear tunnel is awesome. I’ve got a working powered tonneau. Only trip it’s made to service is for the leaking ac unit they called me about. That experience was positive. I’ve got a couple nit picky things on a list when something else requires a trip.

With me having it a year, this is about the time I start thinking what’s next? I honestly don’t know…like you the thought of going back to a “slow” car isn’t real appealing. The Cybertruck features are intriguing but I just can’t get past the look. The model S plaid is interesting from the aspect it’s a 1/3 faster but not a car guy. What I think I’d like is something GX550 or Defender’ish but EV. Not something I’ve seen and the thought of losing my gear tunnel sucks to think about.

So, saying all of that…right now, I’m just going to keep this thing. Good luck in your search!

 

[bagsofcole]

I'm not going to blast you for your discontent. I'm a fanboy but am getting tired of service visits, myself.

I've only driven a few of the things on that list. Here are my limited impressions with a focus on nitpicks which might not affect you:

i4 - drove for 2 weeks, great driver, very BMW in general, HATE the piped-in noise which I'm told can be disabled via ODB, but otherwise a very solid sports sedan (I've had many other BMWs, this holds up)
EV6 - got some punch, great utility, like how it looks, cousin of the GV60 but still pretty great interior. Didn't put enough miles on it to give a full review, but I'd take one.
Silverado - amazeballs range, plenty of space, has CarPlay if that's your jam, but I hate everything else about it. The ergonomics were terrible for me, and I'm a pretty bog-standard 5'10" 180lb dude. Felt like I was a little kid at a very tall table, always wishing the seat went up 3". Perhaps this is solvable in the higher trims.

We have a Genesis GV60 and I adore that car. It's solid, doesn't do anything stupid, has pretty decent range, is a proper luxury car (or luxury-adjacent), also has CarPlay (which I don't like but it's better than their standard UI), and came with free charging for 3 years.

Have you considered a Taycan? That's also on my list to try in the next year or so.

I have a neighbor with a Lucid. It's never gone for extended periods of time, which implies that it's not at the shop all the time. I've never asked him about it, but am curious.

Oh yes I have I considered a Taycan and have test driven two. The base rear drive is too slow (the R1T quad spoiled me) and the 4s or higher is just more than I should spend. However, the dealer with the 4s had an etron GT and I dare to say it’s nicer. More luxurious and basically the same car but it has less screens and more buttons. Also considerably cheaper for similarly optioned models. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Time2Roll]

If the Rivian was well liked I would find a similar vehicle and buy it. If the settlement is too low to replace then put some pressure on the insurance to find a like vehicle or up the $$.

Of course if just done with Rivian or looking for a sedan etc then it is up to you.

 

[mkg3]

...I’d like to keep it around $50k and still have a year or two of warranty.

2022/2023 Audi E-Tron GT, RS if I get lucky - I’d prefer the Taycan, but there’s just so much more value with the Audi and I prefer a sleeper, and it's cheaper....

Two quick things. First glad you are ok and that sorry for the loss of Rivian.

The other is both Taycan (J1) and eTron GT share the same platform and both has gone mid cycle update - equivalent of Gen 2 R1. The mid cycle update happened for 2025 model (j1.2) year onwards. The update is significant in terms of range and charging speed, not to mention all the issues from J1.1.

At your budget, I highly doubt that you can find a used (CPO ideally) of either vehicles. The last thing is eTron GT has the highest insurance rate of any vehicle outside of exotics based on insurance survey I read recently. Definitely check.with your policy holder beforehand if you go that way.

I happen to know all this right now because I too am thinking replacing my Tesla with a pre-owned 2025 Taycan ST (not Cross Tourismo) 4s or GTS with less than 10k miles. I don't want to take the hit on depreciation of 40~50% in the first couple of years. Also did look at the eTron GT but still leaning towards Taycan.

 

[skyguyscott]

Bummer of an accident, glad no serious injuries.

One thing I appreciate about this forum is that while there are a few Kool-aid drinkers here, most of the posters are level-headed, trying to be helpful and genuinely seem like good folk you'd enjoy camping with. I'm not loyal to any particular brand, I have owned Pontiac, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, and now Rivian. (The RX-7 was my favorite, but that was a different time of life and needs change. )

While I don't have any better advice to offer regarding other trucks, I do think it likely that a good service department is going to be hard to find, especially in the EV space, although AI says BMW and Kia are highly rated (true?)

From what I have read, Ford service techs are unhappy due to being paid by the time a given service ticket is "supposed to take" rather than the time it actually takes to fix. And most of them, of course, are ICE guys, got into the field because of their love of ICE, and have little training or background (or interest?) in EV servicing. I think it will be years before there are enough EV techs in the field who are really good in the same way some garages have that old ICE guy who can diagnose the problem just from hearing the engine run.

FWIW, my 2026 R1T has so far performed flawlessly, and has yet to see a service bay, but it's only been 8 months, so... It has some occasional wind noise coming from the upper corner of the driver's side window that's annoying, and there are the ridiculous design misses ( vents, glass roof, no glove box, etc.) you know about, but I have to say so far no real issues with fit/finish, driveability, power, charging, or any of the critical vehicle functions. There's only been a few times where I had to pull out the phone to gain access, (none since a few updates ago) and one GPS freeze requiring a display reboot, and that has been it so for for me. My guess is Rivian is improving on QC and Gen 2 is better on average than Gen 1 in this regard.

Best of luck, let us know how what you decide on works out.

 

[hammick]

Did your R1 make any attempt to avoid the collision?

 

[windblowlc]

Oh yes I have I considered a Taycan and have test driven two. The base rear drive is too slow (the R1T quad spoiled me) and the 4s or higher is just more than I should spend. However, the dealer with the 4s had an etron GT and I dare to say it’s nicer. More luxurious and basically the same car but it has less screens and more buttons. Also considerably cheaper for similarly optioned models. Thanks for the feedback!

I considered getting the Taycan 4 years ago until I found the Rivian on the internet. Now on my third Rivian (two previous R1Ts and a new R1S Quad) with 3 more R2s reserved. Was constantly fighting with the PAAK until digital key on the Gen 2 arrived. Not a fan of the Audi.

 

[CrazyOne]

Bummer of an accident, glad no serious injuries.

One thing I appreciate about this forum is that while there are a few Kool-aid drinkers here, most of the posters are level-headed, trying to be helpful and genuinely seem like good folk you'd enjoy camping with. I'm not loyal to any particular brand, I have owned Pontiac, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, and now Rivian. (The RX-7 was my favorite, but that was a different time of life and needs change. )

While I don't have any better advice to offer regarding other trucks, I do think it likely that a good service department is going to be hard to find, especially in the EV space, although AI says BMW and Kia are highly rated (true?)

From what I have read, Ford service techs are unhappy due to being paid by the time a given service ticket is "supposed to take" rather than the time it actually takes to fix. And most of them, of course, are ICE guys, got into the field because of their love of ICE, and have little training or background (or interest?) in EV servicing. I think it will be years before there are enough EV techs in the field who are really good in the same way some garages have that old ICE guy who can diagnose the problem just from hearing the engine run.

FWIW, my 2026 R1T has so far performed flawlessly, and has yet to see a service bay, but it's only been 8 months, so... It has some occasional wind noise coming from the upper corner of the driver's side window that's annoying, and there are the ridiculous design misses ( vents, glass roof, no glove box, etc.) you know about, but I have to say so far no real issues with fit/finish, driveability, power, charging, or any of the critical vehicle functions. There's only been a few times where I had to pull out the phone to gain access, (none since a few updates ago) and one GPS freeze requiring a display reboot, and that has been it so for for me. My guess is Rivian is improving on QC and Gen 2 is better on average than Gen 1 in this regard.

Best of luck, let us know how what you decide on works out.

My local kia dealer is also the local Mazda and Chevy dealer. They are terrible.

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