R1S for a Family of 7-Thoughts

[jp0526]

Test drove an R1S the other day with the family (2 adults, 13yo, 10 yo, 8 yo and 5yo with a newborn on the way) and we loved the passenger space however we were concerned about the long term use with having all seats occupied (with car seats in some of them) and the cargo space with all the stuff 7 people use (strollers, sports gear etc.). We are currently EV drivers (Tesla X6 and Tesla Y7..and have driven EV for the past 13 years) and hope to not move to a gas car due to space etc. but are not sure if this is the right option. We do frequently take long distance trips so we need to be able to charge on the go. Any insight to help up with our decision would be helpful. Thank you!

Sponsored

 

[csharp]

Hi, while I absolutely love our S (and our T), I couldnt imagine it as my family vehicle for 7 people. Especially if you add in all the stuff that goes with 7 people.

 

[mkg3]

^^^^^ Agree.

When you have the 3rd row seat up, all the infant stuff will probably struggle to fit. Even if they are compact (e.g.., folding umbrella stroller, pack-n-play, diaper bag, etc). There won't be room for anything else.

When our kids were small and needed car seats, we had XC90 and mounted the car seats in the 3rd row. not sure where you are going to put the infant carrier with two other kids.

This is where minivans excels...Sorry about that.

 

[Kelvn]

2nd row seats are way too heavy for kids to actuate for the 3rd row. Kia EV9 or Escalade IQ for EVs. VW ID Buzz is on my minivan list. Its a psuedo meme amongst my friends. But I really want a Minivan.

 

[Doggman]

The frunk is roomy and there's a good amount of space under the rear deck, even when all the seats are up but rigid items like strollers, chairs, sticks, racquets, clubs, etc., can only be folded/compacted so much. You can add rooftop storage, which will affect range, particularly on road trips, or try something like the Yakima Exo system off the back that will have less, but not zero, aerodynamic impact and limits some functionality (like UHF, rear camera, parking sensors and the like). Or maybe just look at an Escalade IQ. The EV9 would probably come in second behind the Cadillac for interior space, depending on configuration.

 

[jp0526]

2nd row seats are way too heavy for kids to actuate for the 3rd row. Kia EV9 or Escalade IQ for EVs. VW ID Buzz is on my minivan list. Its a psuedo meme amongst my friends. But I really want a Minivan.

Did look at the VW ID Buzz but seems like cargo space would be an issue. Would love a minivan option as I really don’t want to go back to a gas car after all these years.

 

[ksurfier]

Since the kids are mostly older I actually think it’s a decent option but road tripping would be difficult to fit everything unless you had one of these:
Roof Top Cargo Carrier
5/8 yo in back third row, infant car seat in the middle seat, center, then 13/10 on either side…

 

[TollKeeper]

I couldnt even imagine using a S for a family of 7. Baby gear, sports gear, Adult gear....

I like the S, but I think a family of 5 would pretty much push it for the size of the vehicle.

A mini-van is not any better, and I own 2 of them.
Edit - I owned 2 of them, sold one yesterday.

A full size SUV is where I would be looking if I were in your shoes. Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, GMC Yukon XL. Maybe the Jeep Wagoneer, but not heard anything good about those yet.

 

[ElGuano]

IMO 7 will be unbearably cramped, especially in a couple of years and if you're shopping for a R1S, I'm going to assume you have sufficient pricing flexibility to consider anything on the market.

Full sized ICE is what I'd go for, maybe event a Sprinter (think they have an electric version too).

 

[TexasBob]

My 2c: for your use case, the Escalade is king and the Gravity is also a better option than R1S.

 

[KBabione]

Go and do another R1S test drive, but take all of the stuff you'd take on a road trip with you and do a test fit in the parking lot. As @Doggman said, there's a lot of space in the R1S in the frunk and the subtrunk. Here's how I would load our R1S:

• Load the subtrunk with anything that fits that I won't need until I get to my destination (because it's hard to get to when there's other stuff in the back)
• Next load the frunk after removing the divider between the top and bottom to give you more space - you'll put things that are not temperature sensitive here (it can get hot) and things to which you might need easy access when you stop (like an umbrella stroller or two)
• Lastly, you'll fill up the space behind the third row, going, if necessary to the roof (as long as it won't slide forward to the 3rd row)

Whatever is left (backpacks, diaper bags, etc) will have to go on the floor. Look at what's left and see if it might fit in a roof-top carrier - that was a great suggestion, but it will cost you some efficiency.

You should do the same test if you're looking at a minivan or a Suburban...I believe an R1S should fit your stuff, but if not then at least you'll know it's not for you.

 

[Ridef70]

Our Gen 1 R1S died in an accident recently, and I agree it’s cramped. We have two car seats and the occasional 5th or 6th person would be a mess to get in and out daily. We ended up getting another R1S, but I was tempted by the Escalade IQ/IQL.

I test drove the Escalade IQ & IQL a few times. The space was great (IQL for additional third-row space), and I appreciated the captain's chair in the second row. If you don’t mind the used market (with low miles), they are close to a new R1S. Biggest complaints were the software, off-road capabilities, and price. Wife thought it was a boat, but if we had seven in the family, I would have pulled the trigger and waited for the never to arrive Scout for the off-road EV.

Good luck!

 

[Kelvn]

My 2c: for your use case, the Escalade is king and the Gravity is also a better option than R1S.

My vote is Escalade IQL. But we're also talking R1S Quad Max money. Probably not viable if we're talking R1S Dual money.

 

[RandomMcRandomFace]

The middle row seats would be enough to dissuade me - they suck to move and move back. having to perfectly reposition them everytime would drive me nuts.

 

[evguy]

Minivan. Or a truly large SUV like the Ford Expedition or GMC Suburban.

Sponsored