Gen 1 R1T experience from a Gen 2 R1T owner

[Largo72]

I recently took my 2025 R1T Dual Large in for service to have the bed electrical outlet repaired. This feature has never worked since delivery, and I am just getting around to having it addressed in preparation for peak hurricane season. I figure that outlet will get me more than a few days of quiet power for my fridge and chest freezer.

Anyway, they gave me a 2022 Launch Edition R1T Quad as a loaner, which was an interesting enough experience for me that I thought it might be helpful for some to read a comparison between the 2 vehicles. Here are my thoughts:

-I thought my truck was fast (my first EV).... but it's not even close. The 2022 Quad motor is ridiculous, probably way more than anyone needs! I can't even imagine what the new quads are like!
-I've been relatively happy with the base sounds system in my truck. Well, not anymore after experiencing that Meridian system in the 2022. Wow!
-2022 motors are quite loud in comparison to my 2025
-The clutch disconnect clunk in the 2022 is noticeable. I really don't experience that at all on my 2025 Dual.
-Conserve mode in the 2022 Quad is annoying. I left it in All Purpose just so I had the pick-up when needed.
-The suspension in the 2022 was clunky. I'm guessing that vehicle has had a hard 45K miles and that there are some worn out parts in the rear suspension.
-The resolution in the back up camera is quite different. Gen 2 is a major upgrade.

In general, I feel like the 2025 gen 2 is a more refined vehicle, but the 2022 gen 1 is pretty impressive as a first product offering.

Sponsored

 

[VC_Rivian]

What you say is true, but for a Launch vehicle, the R1T had a lot going for it. I have one, and I am waiting for a new R1 line and not just a mild update. I have an R2 reservation, but feel the R1 line is a better fit for me.

 

[superfly_snook]

Having recently had the opposite experience - taking my gen1 R1S in and getting a new-ish gen2 tri-motor R1T I think you hit on the same things I noticed. The only exception is in my case I found the motor whine on the tri-motor R1T to be much more noticeable and at a higher pitch than the whine on my quad R1S.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

What you say is true, but for a Launch vehicle, the R1T had a lot going for it. I have one, and I am waiting for a new R1 line and not just a mild update. I have an R2 reservation, but feel the R1 line is a better fit for me.

Exactly. For anyone who snagged a Launch Edition R1 at $67K post‑credit, there just isn’t a compelling case to jump to a Gen 2. I’ve spent plenty of time in both, and I still strongly prefer the Bosch motor sound, and obviously the Meridian. The Gen 1 package is the sweet spot for me.

If there is a true Gen 3 with battery tech and more legitimate upgrades, then I might reconsider. Hard to beat the package I have now. I'm not interested in spending $40K more for a few bells and whistles.

 

[runwithscissors]

I recently took my 2025 R1T Dual Large in for service to have the bed electrical outlet repaired. This feature has never worked since delivery, and I am just getting around to having it addressed in preparation for peak hurricane season. I figure that outlet will get me more than a few days of quiet power for my fridge and chest freezer.

Anyway, they gave me a 2022 Launch Edition R1T Quad as a loaner, which was an interesting enough experience for me that I thought it might be helpful for some to read a comparison between the 2 vehicles. Here are my thoughts:

-I thought my truck was fast (my first EV).... but it's not even close. The 2022 Quad motor is ridiculous, probably way more than anyone needs! I can't even imagine what the new quads are like!
-I've been relatively happy with the base sounds system in my truck. Well, not anymore after experiencing that Meridian system in the 2022. Wow!
-2022 motors are quite loud in comparison to my 2025
-The clutch disconnect clunk in the 2022 is noticeable. I really don't experience that at all on my 2025 Dual.
-Conserve mode in the 2022 Quad is annoying. I left it in All Purpose just so I had the pick-up when needed.
-The suspension in the 2022 was clunky. I'm guessing that vehicle has had a hard 45K miles and that there are some worn out parts in the rear suspension.
-The resolution in the back up camera is quite different. Gen 2 is a major upgrade.

In general, I feel like the 2025 gen 2 is a more refined vehicle, but the 2022 gen 1 is pretty impressive as a first product offering.

I never drove a Gen2 but I love the Bosch motors and their "whine". I also love a Ducati with a dry-clutch so there's that. I think the Gen1 Quad might even beat out a Gen2 Tri or come super close. Other than the absolutely terrible cameras, the Gen 1 is awesome and especially those who have the R1T with Meridians. To be fair, a few of the Gen1 loaners that I've had must've been rejects with all kinds of weird issues that they don't bother fixing.

 

[SANZC02]

Exactly. For anyone who snagged a Launch Edition R1 at $67K post‑credit, there just isn’t a compelling case to jump to a Gen 2. I’ve spent plenty of time in both, and I still strongly prefer the Bosch motor sound, and obviously the Meridian. The Gen 1 package is the sweet spot for me.

If there is a true Gen 3 with battery tech and more legitimate upgrades, then I might reconsider. Hard to beat the package I have now. I'm not interested in spending $40K more for a few bells and whistles.

I’m right with you, hard to think of ditching my 2022 R1S, just no value proposition for me in the current G2 offerings.

What it would take for me is G3 with the battery tech in the R2 and the RAP1 chip set.

A plus but not a deal killer would be the Halo Wheels and a max pack.

 

[Greg Chick]

Some good posts above, while I have not driven a 2, my R1T Launch quad large meridian, 21" is sometimes clunky, but I am very happy. I want to get 200,000 mi. at min.

 

[Timbuk2000]

I recently took my 2025 R1T Dual Large in for service to have the bed electrical outlet repaired. This feature has never worked since delivery, and I am just getting around to having it addressed in preparation for peak hurricane season. I figure that outlet will get me more than a few days of quiet power for my fridge and chest freezer.

Anyway, they gave me a 2022 Launch Edition R1T Quad as a loaner, which was an interesting enough experience for me that I thought it might be helpful for some to read a comparison between the 2 vehicles. Here are my thoughts:

-I thought my truck was fast (my first EV).... but it's not even close. The 2022 Quad motor is ridiculous, probably way more than anyone needs! I can't even imagine what the new quads are like!
-I've been relatively happy with the base sounds system in my truck. Well, not anymore after experiencing that Meridian system in the 2022. Wow!
-2022 motors are quite loud in comparison to my 2025
-The clutch disconnect clunk in the 2022 is noticeable. I really don't experience that at all on my 2025 Dual.
-Conserve mode in the 2022 Quad is annoying. I left it in All Purpose just so I had the pick-up when needed.
-The suspension in the 2022 was clunky. I'm guessing that vehicle has had a hard 45K miles and that there are some worn out parts in the rear suspension.
-The resolution in the back up camera is quite different. Gen 2 is a major upgrade.

In general, I feel like the 2025 gen 2 is a more refined vehicle, but the 2022 gen 1 is pretty impressive as a first product offering.

I understand your reaction to the quad. I purchased a 2023 R1S Quad as soon as it was available. I replaced it with a 2026 R1S Quad last September as soon as it was available. You are right about the suspension refinements in Gen 2. I am still waiting to find a drag strip in Phoenix that will allow me to try launch!
We just purchased a R2 for my daughter. It is an improvement over Gen 2 in terms of value for the money and confirms my belief that Rivian seeks to improve each generation despite the price differential. The R2 is blast to drive and Home Run!

 

[23R1TFGFE]

If there is a true Gen 3 with battery tech and more legitimate upgrades, then I might reconsider. Hard to beat the package I have now. I'm not interested in spending $40K more for a few bells and whistles.
[/QUOTE]

This exactly — C’mon RIVIAN….tempt me!!

 

[Timbuk2000]

If there is a true Gen 3 with battery tech and more legitimate upgrades, then I might reconsider. Hard to beat the package I have now. I'm not interested in spending $40K more for a few bells and whistles.

This exactly — C’mon RIVIAN….tempt me!!
[/QUOTE]
The max battery in Gen 2 coupled with conserve increases the range over my Gen 1 by at least 50 miles at 75MPH. That made a big difference on my freeway trips between Phoenix and Los Angeles. It If I had a choice last September to add captains chairs to the second row I certainly would haves. Just sayin

 

[grozas]

i traded in my 2024 Gen1 R1T Quad two days ago for a new 2026 quad R1T. I had 2-1/2 years and 39K miles on my 2024 so its easy for me to compare the two.

Let me start with I was really happy with my 24 R1T. If anyone asked me, I would always say if I totalled it tomorrow, I would just buy a new one the next day. I used to say the same thing about my Raptor until I got the R1T.

I obviously liked my Rivian R1T enough to stay with the brand. When I bought my 24, it was right at the time the factory was closed for the re-tooling of the Gen2's and I was fully aware of the new models coming out. I bought mine thinking that if I liked it and could handle EV life (i was very happy with the Ford Raptor) that i would trade in for Gen2 when the Automony was finally getting its act together.

2days in (including a 4-1/2 hour drive from pickup)
Ride:
No comparison. The 2026's ride/suspension is way smoother, quieter and overall a much better experience than my 2024. From day one, my 2024 suspension/ride, although very nice, was lacking compared to other vehicles in the same price range. 2026 is on par, or even better than, other vehicle in that price range.

Autonomy+:
Again - no comparison. 2024 adaptive cruise and interstate "driving" was clunky, agressive, and sometimes scary. The 4-1/2 hour drive home in the 2026 was almost weird it was so smooth. It exceeded my expectations and will be used vigorously on my weekly commute (about an hour)

My wife has been in a Ford Mach - E (again - i originally feared being a 100% EV family but it really has not been a problem) and she loves the Ford Hands-free BlueCruise on trips. She was planning on getting a new MachE till two days ago. She test drove the R2, then drove about half the 4 hour drive in my 2026, and now says the Rivian is way ahead of the MachE. Looks like we will be not only 100%Ev but 100% Rivian in the next month of so.

Performance:
Well - I gotta say that the reason I bought the 24Quad in the first place was watching a youtube video of the quad smoking a Raptor in the quarter mile. That was it. i knew that was going to be my new truck.

My wife always asks, who needs that much power and speed. My response is always the same. No one NEEDS that kind of speed, you just WANT that kind of speed.

The 24 quad blew me away from jump street and anyone who dared to be my passenger. It is hard to beat the first time you put the hammer down on a rivian quad and your passenger uses descriptions like, "butterflies in my belly", and "rollercoaster".

I have tried out a launch mode launch in my new one (left for a vacation today out of state) but they are both just so frickin fast-it borders on ridiculous to be honest. I personally have never driven or rode in a vehicle with comparible torque and acceleration. I also never drove a tri-motor but i bet i would have been happy with one. Until i pulled up next to someone at a redlight in a quad............

Once they add the Waze function-ish to the R1T in the next update and down the road, Point to point handsfree navigation, my journey with Rivian will be complete!

 

[Judd]

The thought of self driving has me thinking about a Gen 2 but that’s the only reason. I really like my Gen 1 Quad. The comments on speed makes this thing a blast to drive.

I’ve also come to really use the gear tunnel. It’s as handy as a pocket on a shirt.

I’m ready for something new, but can’t think or have found anything that I feels compares.

 

[23R1TFGFE]

This exactly — C’mon RIVIAN….tempt me!!

The max battery in Gen 2 coupled with conserve increases the range over my Gen 1 by at least 50 miles at 75MPH. That made a big difference on my freeway trips between Phoenix and Los Angeles. It If I had a choice last September to add captains chairs to the second row I certainly would haves. Just sayin
[/QUOTE]
The captains chars are indeed tempting (even for this R1T owner) and who doesn’t like more range? Still, the power of my Quad and the price paid are hard to beat! Fortunately, it’s free to dream! Stay well, friend.

 

[BlueberryQuadzilla]

What you say is true, but for a Launch vehicle, the R1T had a lot going for it. I have one, and I am waiting for a new R1 line and not just a mild update. I have an R2 reservation, but feel the R1 line is a better fit for me.

Couldn’t have said it better.

 

[Goose]

I have a Gen 1 Quad R1T, which is also my first EV. I have no desire to upgrade to a Gen 2. In fact, unless something changes with my R1T, or Rivian as a company, I will only upgrade when they release an R1T/S with coil suspension.

Sponsored