Finished R2 demo test drive? Share your review / impressions

[windshieldfarmer]

I scheduled my second demo drive for the Knightdale service center this past Friday. This time my wife was going to come along to see the R2 for the first time. Unfortunately, They called me about four hours prior to the drive to cancel. They said there was a problem with the vehicle. They didn’t know when they could reschedule me. The good thing is, they looked at my area code and saved me a three hour one-way trip. The bad news is that there is something wrong with the vehicle in that certainly doesn’t give a good impression .

Currently, there is a pop-up demo drive in Charlotte but has no availability. There’s also a pop-up at the Duncan SC in South Carolina with no availability. Furthermore, when I check the Knightdale service center they now have no availability either. My next choice is Ladson , South Carolina, which is 198 miles away.

Sometimes Rivian really does not make this process easy.

That’s crazy…no availability for a demo drive? I had no problem scheduling a demo drive a few days out from my visit to the Denver location. I already had a reservation , but that should not make a difference. There were ample time slots available on my selected day.

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[jdubea]

Looks like the next available time for the Knightdale location is Aug 10 Aug 24.

When I was there a month back they had 2 demo units (1 used for test drives 1 used for static display).

I wonder if there's something wrong with both units. I imagine they'd want test drives > static display.

 

[windshieldfarmer]

Looks like the next available time for the Knightdale location is Aug 10.

When I was there a month back they had 2 demo units (1 used for test drives 1 used for static display).

I wonder if there's something wrong with both units. I imagine they'd want test drives > static display.

That’s today.

 

[jdubea]

That’s today.

Whoops, mistyped. Aug 24 is the next available.

When I looked last week I think there was availability every day of last week, so it's a drastic drop.

 

[Lysdexic]

It is a new vehicle from new company, you should not expect reliability, even Toyota can't make their EVs right for years(google "Toyota ev 12v battery issues ")

Preaching to the choir

 

[Lysdexic]

Although this is a bit frustrating for me, I know what to expect and have payed the early adopter tax repeatedly. I am grateful they called before my wife and I hit the road for a 3 hour trip.
What concerns me is the missed opportunity for others in the area that may be R2 curious. It will work out in the end.

 

[Mos Eisley]

It is a new vehicle from new company, you should not expect reliability, even Toyota can't make their EVs right for years(google "Toyota ev 12v battery issues ")

that’s being flogged by countless randos and first time EV drivers.

 

[jz4]

I took a test drive at the Southampton location last week. They had both the grey and Catalina cove colors available. Was a great experience, answered all my questions. Got to try autonomy+ during the test drive. The car had more space than I expected, especially in the back row. Overall definitely convinced my wife and I to move forward with the R2 when the order window arrives

 

[WoodChips]

Just finished my second demo drive.

The first time the wife and I had about 18-20 minutes with the R2. It was nice but I left with many questions.

Today I went by myself and as I'm prone to show up early I was lucky to have it for almost an hour.

I had time to play with the controls, listen to the sound system, drive on a rocky road (it wasn't nice enough to call it a gravel road.)

For someone that's only experience with an EV is the R2 I was happy to have the extra time to play with the one pedal settings. My first test drive left me motion sick but with the added time I was feeling more confident in it. I don't think it will take me long to get used to it, though I may always miss the ability to coast and wish it could be turned all the way off.

 

[windshieldfarmer]

Just finished my second demo drive.

The first time the wife and I had about 18-20 minutes with the R2. It was nice but I left with many questions.

Today I went by myself and as I'm prone to show up early I was lucky to have it for almost an hour.

I had time to play with the controls, listen to the sound system, drive on a rocky road (it wasn't nice enough to call it a gravel road.)

For someone that's only experience with an EV is the R2 I was happy to have the extra time to play with the one pedal settings. My first test drive left me motion sick but with the added time I was feeling more confident in it. I don't think it will take me long to get used to it, though I may always miss the ability to coast and wish it could be turned all the way off.

Honestly you’ll quickly learn to drive with one pedal and won’t miss coasting after a week or two.

 

[Riviken]

received my order confirmation this week so took a test drive this morning atbthe Lake Forest Service Center in SoCal. Impressed with overall build quality and drive ability. Navigating the software was pretty easy… looking forward to delivery…

 

[WoodChips]

I forgot to mention on my test drive I was just out of town that has a 80 mph zone. The test R2 was limited to 81 mph, probably a good idea, people do foolish things.

The 50 to 81 mph was a something, wow.

 

[Polymath]

Wife and I took a demo drive in Boulder this past Sunday. We like the car and platform, its clearly going to sell well, especially at the lower price points.

My disappointment was in minor things, in priority order:

1. Exterior colors, I had hoped Catalina Cove (all colors really) would be brighter (it was a cloudy day FWIW).
2. For $60k, I expected a bit better material appointment in the car, however inflation is what it is. Still feel at 60k there should be built in sun shade or option to order without glass roof.
3. The seats seemed more firm than expected (this was a wife comment). Maybe they break in.
4. Sound system was okay. Not great, not bad.
5. [non-car]The experience at the sales center was definitely low pressure, but the sales people also seemed not that interested in engaging. I found that a little sad as I expected them to be excited to rep a solid product.

Pretty much everything else we liked or loved. Great design, well driving, comfortable, practical space, rear window drop, etc. A lot to like and I feel most people who buy will end up loving these.

 

[rvnxyz001]

non-car]The experience at the sales center was definitely low pressure, but the sales people also seemed not that interested in engaging. I found that a little sad as I expected them to be excited to rep a solid product.

I noticed the same. Low pressure is nice, but it sometimes felt more like indifference. Then again, these are basically $50–60k retail jobs, so maybe expecting everyone to be a Rivian enthusiast is unrealistic...

 

[Mos Eisley]

I noticed the same. Low pressure is nice, but it sometimes felt more like indifference. Then again, these are basically $50–60k retail jobs, so maybe expecting everyone to be a Rivian enthusiast is unrealistic...

Likely not even. For the Rivian jobs I see at Spaces - they're mostly all part time and starting at ~$19-20 an hour. You're not even clearing $20k a year for that.

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