R1S vs R2 = Tier 1 Luxury vs Entry Level EV?

[SANZC02]

Would you say there’s a noticeable difference? I’m not surprised if it’s a little less quality, but I wouldn’t expect it to be too much. The R1S I demo drove today was phenomenal. The interior was super nice, and definitely better than my Mustang Mach e interior. But I still wouldn’t say there is a chasm between those two and I would expect the R2 to be at least as good as the Mach e materials.

On a separate note, I had to floor it and experience that 0 to 60 in roughly 2.6 seconds a few times. My god is that thing powerful. I didn’t warn my wife and kids either, just surprised them with the acceleration the first time. They loved it.

I’m not speaking of the entire vehicle just interior materials. I’m also only comparing to the G1 R1 not the later premium interior coming in the tri and newer quads.

There is a difference but in my opinion people are not going to get in and think the R2 is cheap. I’ve been in a Mach E but only a couple of times, R2 materials seems to be at least on par if not a little better in my opinion.

I have 45k miles on my G1 R1S and interior has help up very well, from what I saw in the R2 I expect it to hold up as well.

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[Time2Roll]

My Jaguar I-Pace was closer to luxury than the R1. Different vehicle but ride and interior of the I-Pace was much nicer than the R1. Price alone does not define a vehicle as luxury.

Have not seen an R2 but seems more mid level than entry.

 

[ebellinder2]

For those of you who have owned or driven an R1S (or R1T) and have seen the R2 in person and sat in it, did you get a sense that there is wide gap in the quality of the materials and feel of the vehicles?

Background: I am a Day 1 reservation holder for the R2 and I have been excited and waiting patiently for the Launch Edition. Recently, however, I have considered the option of getting a used R1S (potentially a Gen 1 Quad). So today I had a demo drive of a 2026 R1S Quad with the Slate Sky interior (my personal favorite of all options), and it was amazing. Afterward, I spoke to the advisor about the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2, and then asked how the R2 will compare to the Gen 2 R1S.

This is where I was a bit shocked to hear them describe the differences as “the R1 being the Tier 1 luxury line and the R2 being more of an entry level EV”. They went on to describe how the materials are inferior quality, still nice, but nowhere near the R1 quality, and then spoke about the lack of a powered frunk or rear hatch, and no air suspension.

To me, I always figured the R2 was mostly a condensed R1 but of similar quality. I’m curious what your thoughts are, for those of you who have experienced both in person.

Pretty sure the R2 has a powered rear hatch/ tailgate

 

[rbdavis808]

Who says R1 isn't Tier 1 luxury?!? Rolls is Tier -3, right??

 

[Jeremy3292]

An entry level EV is the Chevy Bolt for $30k or the Tesla Model 3 Standard. R2 is way nicer than that. R1 has more bells and whistles, like air suspension.

 

[RivnSoon]

I tried to purchase a R1S for my wife recently. Worked with two sales advisors and both independently described the R1S as top luxury...they were really talking it up. I told them, I've had myT for the past 4 years, and have number of BMW vehicles, one of them individual composition 7 series, the R1 is not a luxury interior though still nice...

Separately, just purchased an ioniq 9. Far better materials and fit and finish than R1, BUT wow, the software is maddening!

 

[Thebandit]

He was blowing smoke up your rear end to tempt you into buying an R1.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I tried to purchase a R1S for my wife recently. Worked with two sales advisors and both independently described the R1S as top luxury...they were really talking it up. I told them, I've had myT for the past 4 years, and have number of BMW vehicles, one of them individual composition 7 series, the R1 is not a luxury interior though still nice...

Separately, just purchased an ioniq 9. Far better materials and fit and finish than R1, BUT wow, the software is maddening!

I'd say the new Ascend interior is luxurious. Style-wise, it stacks up against the luxury guys.

 

[VegasWeezy]

I'd say the new Ascend interior is luxurious. Style-wise, it stacks up against the luxury guys.

If I were to give the advisor the benefit of the doubt, maybe they were thinking of the Ascend interior when making the comments because we had just driven one with the Ascend interior.

 

[KRG]

The R2 premium interior is surprisingly nice imo. I’ve seen/felt in person a few times now. It’s nicer than Tesla and the Mach E. Slight step down from the R1 standard interior, but not overly noticeable. Cheaper headliner, cheaper door panels, no rear screen basically. The dash is similar. The R1 Ascend interior is nicer, would be cool if they offer that as an option on R2 down the road.

 

[lefkonj]

The quality of the R2 will be similar to the R1. They are reducing the cost of the vehicle by removing certain features that cost money. This is what plenty of brands do. No powered frunk closure, no fancy wood inside, no air suspension etc etc.

Based on the reviews of people who have driven it is, it is a Rivian period.

 

[Golfer04]

It depends on your definition of luxury. Of vehicles I've owned the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport are well above my Rivian Tri Ascend as far as interior quality.

 

[usulio]

For those of you who have owned or driven an R1S (or R1T) and have seen the R2 in person and sat in it, did you get a sense that there is wide gap in the quality of the materials and feel of the vehicles?

Background: I am a Day 1 reservation holder for the R2 and I have been excited and waiting patiently for the Launch Edition. Recently, however, I have considered the option of getting a used R1S (potentially a Gen 1 Quad). So today I had a demo drive of a 2026 R1S Quad with the Slate Sky interior (my personal favorite of all options), and it was amazing. Afterward, I spoke to the advisor about the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2, and then asked how the R2 will compare to the Gen 2 R1S.

This is where I was a bit shocked to hear them describe the differences as “the R1 being the Tier 1 luxury line and the R2 being more of an entry level EV”. They went on to describe how the materials are inferior quality, still nice, but nowhere near the R1 quality, and then spoke about the lack of a powered frunk or rear hatch, and no air suspension.

To me, I always figured the R2 was mostly a condensed R1 but of similar quality. I’m curious what your thoughts are, for those of you who have experienced both in person.

Instead of vague terms like luxury and quality, what actually matters to you? Are you talking about how the seats feel or what?

By my standards, R2 interior is +2 more quality than R1 because it has +2 glove boxes.

 

[tdrew55]

My Jaguar I-Pace was closer to luxury than the R1. Different vehicle but ride and interior of the I-Pace was much nicer than the R1. Price alone does not define a vehicle as luxury.

Have not seen an R2 but seems more mid level than entry.

I agree with your comments about the R1 vs. iPace. “Luxury” and “Tier 1” are definitely on the eye of the beholder, with often little relationship to price. Reminds of the Tesla fan boys saying the Model 3 is a luxury car. I have one, and it just ain’t so!

 

[NY_Rob]

Unless you need a vehicle now, wait a bit till you can see and get inside a R2 at a Space or Service Center where you can make your decision. And, even better.. once R2 start being delivered to regular (non-Rivian employees) customers, R1 prices might just drop too.

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