Why is the R1S so cramped?

[Cascadian]

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?

Yes
S has great turning circle

Sponsored

 

[runwithscissors]

Just be happy you have the R1T. The Gen 1 R1S suspension is a joke, even on 20's with the short wheelbase. I wish it was longer! I had a Gen 1 R1T loaner way back (with meridian) and it ruined me going back to the R1S with suspension and audio.

 

[Cascadian]

I’m a little disappointed with the 2nd row too.
I’m 6’5” and now that my son and his friends are about 6’ too they are not happy fitting in behind me.
A couple more inches would have helped.
BTW I originally ordered to 2 row version and wonder if that had more room.
I love the trunk space though.

 

[Mellowyellow]

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.

Same. We’re a family of 6 and we use the third row constantly. I have the second row moved as far forward and that leaves plenty of room for the third row. Even I fit comfortably back there!

 

[skyguyscott]

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?

Yes, the R1S turns tighter than the R1T, but neither are great in that regard. Many moons ago, I had a Honda CRX Si; that little roller skate could do a U-turn from a parallel parking space in one go. Nothing I've owned before or since can do that.

 

[Nixapatfan]

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

It can't do that either

 

[riverie]

Understandably the "room" discussion focuses on front to back legroom. But one of the things I really like about my R1S is the left to right room in the drivers seat. Specifically, I despise large consoles that eliminate the space I want to use for my right knee. Even many largish vehicles I have sat in have consoles that use up the space between driver and front seat passenger.

 

[CrazyOne]

I am with you and would have strongly considered the R1S if it was same length as R1T. I don't like putting family so close to the hatch. I prefer a larger crumple zone behind the last row of seats. The real reason is .


Me: Does Tahoe outsell Suburban?

Google: Yes, the Chevrolet Tahoe consistently outsells the Chevrolet Suburban. Based on 2025 sales data, the Tahoe is the higher-volume model, with Q2 2025 figures showing 30,268 Tahoe units sold compared to 16,343 Suburban units. While both dominate the full-size SUV market, the Tahoe's lower starting price and slightly smaller size make it more popular.

 

[hammick]

Our R1S is our road trip car. Just the two of us and the pup. Forgot we even had a third row. The R1S holds tons of cargo with the rear under storage and frunk. We used to make our trips in 3/4 trucks then a Ford Lightning and the R1S seems to hold just as much cargo.

Haven't spent any time in the second row but am surprised to find people find the legroom limited.

 

[skyguyscott]

Haven't spent any time in the second row but am surprised to find people find the legroom limited.

I wrote that the R1S has about the same leg room as my T, but more accurately, it seems to have slightly more, although I didn't measure it, and it can vary depending on the front seat position.

I know inside the R1T, if you have the front seats slid all the way back, it's almost impossible to to get into the back seats, unless maybe you're a child. I think the legroom in the second row of the SUV is a bit better, but if you have the second row slid all the way back, there is little to no leg room at all in the third row.

I encourage you to try it. One thing I did notice in the second row: the glass roof. That's the seating position where you really appreciate it, unless the sun is beating down on you, then maybe not so much.

Between the leg room and emergency egress, maybe the second (and third) row isn't so great to ride in.

 

[CANCERDOC]

One thing I wish is that the second row slid back more to improve legroom with the third row folded. As is the second row is ok but certainly not what I call stretch out comfort. The height off the floor does help with actual legroom.

 

[iamnid]

I noticed when I first sat in the back of my R1S that it, surprisingly, felt more cramped than the backseat of my Model Y. It's still enough room but it seems like the second row was definitely compromised to make room for the third row

 

[skyguyscott]

Imagine

 

[Yellow Buddy]

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

The paper specs don’t tell the whole story. Having owned an EV9 I can say that it’s significantly easier to access and FEELS larger and more comfortable in the 3rd row for an adult. Having owned a Model X, I can say it’s the opposite and feels significantly tighter than the R1S.

Sponsored