Why is the R1S so cramped?

[skyguyscott]

So, have some questions someone here might be able to answer. Last weekend, I had the chance to really check out a Gen 1 R1S Loaner while my '26 R1T was in service.

I was really surprised at how little leg room there was in the back of vehicle, especially in the third row. Now, of course many such 3-row SUVs have very little leg room in the last row, but the R1S was really in budget Airline territory. The second row was about the same as my R1T, which is to say, tight. And, as I get older, getting in and out of the 3rd row took some effort.

Now, all of this is a bit baffling because the R1S has a shorter wheel base than the R1T, which leads to the obvious question: why not build the R1S on the same platform as the R1T? The result would be a better ride and more room all around. In addition, I would also think it would simplify things for Rivian in both manufacturing and servicing.

Now the rear cargo area is adequate, and having owned a 3-row SUV for 10 years, I know the 3rd row is down most of the time for even more cargo space. Rivian could have provided more passenger space if they compromised on the cargo area, but if they instead used the larger truck chassis, they could have it all.

Last year, when choosing to buy a Rivian, I considered the R1S, but for a number of reasons, I eventually decided in favor of the truck, and boy, am I glad I did. For my case, it was the better fit, and, it seems, the better vehicle. But if Rivian had used the truck platform for the SUV, would that not have been a better vehicle? What am I missing, besides the fit in parking spaces and garages? Thanks!

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[savethemanual]

Definitely sounds like the R1S is not for you, dodged that bullet!

Perhaps have a look at the R2 when you get a chance, everyone is saying it's very spacious inside if you don't need a three row.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

I prefer the shorter length of the actual R1S, but @skyguyscott has a point....

 

[Nixapatfan]

The reason for the shorter wheelbase was so they can claim to be the first EV to complete the Rubicon trail. I believe the T with its longer wheelbase can't complete that trail.

Yes for the most part the S will spend more time at the mall than offroad versus the T but marketing rights matter for a new adventure brand. Just look at how well(not) Lucid is doing with the Gravity which is objectively better at mall crawling.

 

[skyguyscott]

The reason for the shorter wheelbase was so they can claim to be the first EV to complete the Rubicon trail. I believe the T with its longer wheelbase can't complete that trail.

Yes for the most part the S will spend more time at the mall than offroad versus the T but marketing rights matter for a new adventure brand. Just look at how well(not) Lucid is doing with the Gravity which is objectively better at mall crawling.

Hmmmm.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I'll agree with you, that the Rivian 2nd row is not the easiest to get in to and the third is even worse. But... I'm happy with the shorter wheel base. Not everyone needs a land yacht, like the endless Suburbans, Expeditions and EXT Escalades rolling around. Plus, being able to fit the R1S in the garage is nice. Maybe a 6 seater with second row passthrough would have made better for families with 2 or 3 kids. But with a couple kids, I can't remember the last time we used the third row... and as the Dad, I've only sat in the back seat once or twice. I don't even know what the third row looks like. I have to take the reigns 99.9% of the time....

 

[narmstrong79]

2nd row leg room in the S is better than the T , and with the shorter wheelbase, it is what it is. With the T selling so poorly, would be cool if they used that frame to introduce a R1L. But they need to get the cost down otherwise I can see that platform being abandoned.

 

[electruck]

If the R1S were closer to Suburban/Expedition sized, I absolutely would NOT have purchased it. I need a 2 row with a large cargo area for the dog crate. And I had originally planned to buy the 2 row R1S variant until that got nixed so, needless to say, my 3rd row is always folded down.

But this is not the first time folks have posted here wanting something bigger than the R1S. The question is would there really be enough market to justify Rivian offering that? By Rivian's math, the answer would seem to be no.

 

[CoachTy6]

It isn't. I'm 6'7". We shopped the R1S against quite a few of the larger, body-on-frame SUVs on the market. While it doesn't have all the space those do, it's a pleasant surprise how they use space and create room. It doesn't have the presence of the full-size SUVs, but they make very clever use of space.

 

[jrmbadger]

I find that the third row legroom is fine if you move up the second row seats.

My biggest complaint is that the mechanism to get into the third row is heavy and awkward and when you put the second row seat back, the angle is upright so you have to readjust the angle.

In terms of actual measurable legroom its only beaten by the lucid gravity that I can find:

Lucid Gravity - 33.9 inches
Rivian R1S - 32.8 inches
Cadillac Escalade IQ -32.3 inches
Tesla Model X - 32.2
Mercedes - Benz EQS SUV - 32.0 inches
Kia EV9 - 32.0 inches

Source: i see cars

 

[Great Gatsby]

I don't think its terrible but it can be improved. Hoping they are able to do this with a slight refresh to compete against its own R2 instead of having to come out with a new model.

In terms of actual measurable legroom its only beaten by the lucid gravity that I can find:

Lucid Gravity - 33.9 inches
Rivian R1S - 32.8 inches
Cadillac Escalade IQ -32.3 inches
Tesla Model X - 32.2
Mercedes - Benz EQS SUV - 32.0 inches
Kia EV9 - 32.0 inches

Source: i see cars

Main reason I considered the Gravity when I got rid of my R1S. It may be an inch on paper but in reality it is massive back there.

 

[SlaterGS]

Family of 7 here, and we use the 3rd row daily—mostly with our 6- and 9-year-olds. I can understand the complaint if adults are constantly using the 3rd row, but our kids have never had issues getting back there or with the space. Even our older kids (11 and 13) can easily slide the 2nd row back.

Overall, the 2nd and 3rd row legroom feels as good as our Navigator and comparable or better than most vehicles in this segment.

We also have an Ioniq 9, and the 2nd row space is massive compared to the Rivian. Nice to have, but honestly more than we need. The downside with the legroom there, is that when using the 3rd row, the 2nd row passengers have to adjust quite a bit to leave enough legroom behind them. In other words, they can't just push the middle row the whole way back. The R1S does a better job balancing space between the 2nd and 3rd rows for everyday use.

My biggest complaint is that the seat belt doesn’t move with the 2nd row seat.

 

[Cycliste]

Well, AI says…

 

[DC-R1S]

Does the shorter wheel base R1S translate to tighter turning radius vs R1T?

What is the turning radius of the R1S vs R1T vs Cybertruck?

 

[Cycliste]

The Cybertruck has four wheel steering and a tighter turning radius which you would definitely need to escape all the criticism

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