R2 Wheelbase/Suspension vs R1T Wheelbase/Suspension impact on Ride Comfort

[HokieBird7980]

I realize that comfort is subjective, but I have had my Gen 1 R1T for years now and have made several 15 hour straight trips to and from Charlotte and Chicago and i must say that the ride in the R1T has been extremely comfortable. I don't get any fatigue or back pain. Do get tired, but I am not pushed to stop due to not being able to enjoy the long ride. I was wondering how the wheelbase and suspension in the R2 will impact the ride quality vs the R1T. Outside a loaner for a week of the R1S, i don't have any experience in the R1S comfort. How much do you think the wheelbase being 20.2 inches shorter in the R2 vs R1T impact the smoothness of the ride? I'm also assuming that the differences in the suspension would greatly impact that as well, but i have had two Gen1 R1Ts that are not as smooth as the Gen2 R1T based on what i've heard, and i'm thinking about going to the R2 once it comes out. Just curious if the ride quality/comfort will be the same or worse for these long drives. Seems to me when i have to drive shorter wheelbase vehicles the ride seems much rougher. Again, realize this is subjective, but curious if there will be much difference. Thanks for your inputs!

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[kurtlikevonnegut]

The consensus so far from people who have ridden in the R2 is that it is more comfortable than R1. Some have indicated that it is significantly more comfortable for road driving.

 

[kanundrum]

They dialed it super good, hopefully doesn't slack in the turns. I've ridden in it like 4 times at sxsw

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Look at Doug DeMuro YT channel and you’d see that he’s no stranger to all kinds of cars, from economy to exotic. Look up Patrick George’s resumé (InsideEVs editor and former Jalopnik editor in chief). Both were among the small handful invited to drive preproduction R2. Both said it drove amazing. There is not reason to doubt, or worry, that Rivian does not know how to tune a conventional suspension. Most of it has to do with the dampers and how well they match up to the coil springs.

The reason you see people say the gen 1 R1S doesn’t ride nice… it isn’t just because it has a shorter wheelbase. It’s because Rivian—in order to hit delivery deadlines—grafted the T’s suspension straight over to the S. None of it was tuned to inherent harmonics of the shorter wheelbase. For gen 2 they took time to tune the suspension to the shorter wheelbase. And many reviewers and influencers confirmed the results. But, you can’t please everyone (no matter what you do). And, once a hot take becomes a thing, it’s hard to put to bed. In short, don’t believe everything you read online. But pay more attention to those who are more experienced.

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