Canceled my R1S order :-(

[BigGreenR1S]

You are literally describing me. Let me answer your question, R1 platform makes a lot more sense before the price increase.

In the end, the Rivian ownership worked out for me, but this ev is not for everyone.

I will still love seeing them and drooling over them in parking lots! Not to mention dreaming of that off-the-grid camping trip you can only get to in rock crawl mode! I’m sure I’ll have an R1S or EV equiv. in the future when they dial it in a bit more (Or cut the price in half), haha.

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[BigGreenR1S]

Curious if you have driven the iX? It might be a nice alternative (although no 3rd row).

Yup, it was definitely on the list, just a tad too small (we use every inch of the X7 cargo space in fully flat mode quite often and the R1S is about identical in interior space that way!).

Hopefully I can get a co-worker to take me for a drive in an R1T—if the wife would have approved of a truck for our main vehicle I’d probably already have one!

The IX is actually a good comparison to what I was getting at with the R1S interior observation—it’s not quite there from a luxury perspective comparing to an X7, but at the same price, at least it still rides and drives like a BMW. If they ever make one in X7 size or just electrify the X7 we’ll probably go that route!

 

[DuoRivians]

Different cars for different people. I’ve owned 4 BMWs, and I’ll never go back to them. Especially once that year 4 warranty period ends, it’s $thousands of dollars every 6 months or so to fix something

 

[NineElectrics]

What does it really mean when an audio system lacks details?

So you... want more detail?

 

[ravian]

So you... want more detail?

Do you think brightness can be confused with detail?

 

[drivetorun]

In support of @BigGreenR1S the worst part of the buying experience for me was by far the test drive at Flickinger Park in San Jose (but it sounds like you got a better Rivian rep than I did). That park is definitely in one of the sketchier parts of San Jose. Granted I had the first test drive appointment in the morning, but the invite said to arrive 10min early, which I did, and the Rivian rep showed up 5min after the officially scheduled time...not a great start.

What was actually most disappointing to me was that I never saw a survey or anything be sent out asking for feedback on the experience. I've heard that Rivian is in a tough spot because San Jose hasn't given them a permit to do test drives from the service center, but they should've come up with an alternate (better) option by now. There are little things they could do that don't cost much money but would certainly elevate the experience -- something as simple as being able to offer water while on the test drive (a la Uber drivers) would be a step in the right direction.

 

[runwithscissors]

I wouldn't even consider the R1S if I had a nice X7 that I could hold on to for a few years until they refine the product. I like my R1S but it's bouncy as can be and nothing like the R1T I test drove prior to buying the R1S. The last update definitely fixed it a bunch but it's nowhere near what I really wanted when it comes to air suspension. It's a great value for early adopters but it feels like the first iphone that will be quickly be reiterated in the next few years. Any car/truck that you waited years to buy will have a hard time living up to the hype unfortunately. I definitely wouldn't have bought it with new pricing and probably would've went Tahoe. I bought it for the performance and tech but have a hard time picturing me keeping it for 6+ years. I've had day 1 issues with it and now on my 2nd SC appointment to address the 1st one again in 4 months. 2 months between appointments is just a painful experience...

 

[Sevn86]

OP, I enjoyed reading your post. You and I share very similar points about the Rivian. Im coming up on 4 months ownership and have added 10,438 miles to it as of tonight. I am liking it more but the suspension/ ride quality is still a nightmare and my biggest issue. The recent software update did help but it’s still far from perfect for the roads I drive on.

The seats do make me sweaty and the ventilated seats don’t do much to help that situation.

The meridian system was badass in my RR and I was so excited for it but Rivian removed it.

My Rivian R1S sole purpose right now is to be my daily commuter vehicle. I sold my Range Rover for this because the Range Rover just cost too much in fuel. If I get moved back closer to home, I have every intention to get back in one in the near future.

Thank god I was a pre March price hike reservation holder, otherwise I would’ve never purchased it.

 

[SANZC02]

Yeah the ride could be significantly worse for all I know. The T is rated 10/10 by Car and Driver and the S is rated 8.5

The R1S certainly improved with the last update but the long wheelbase on the R1T I had as a loaner was smother. The R1S is really not that much different than my Jeep GC was, I have no issues with it use All Purpose Standard height 90% of the time, it is still a work in progress and I expect we will see further improvements.

I cannot imagine anyone that is not specifically looking for an EV SUV and are cross shopping high end luxury vehicles in the same price range could justify the purchase. It is in the EV and performance/capabilities of this vehicle has that will draw their buyers. Same way ford is able to sell the Raptor for 110k and Ram the TRX for 100k.

 

[alistairg]

I’ve had several X7s (my last was an Alpina XB7) and Range Rovers (we recently sold our 2022 First Edition).

Have you driven the R1T? I love the way that drives, it’s easily as comfortable as the Rover ever was, and handles better than the Alpina did. I’ll concede that the interior isn’t anywhere near as “high end”, but for the long distance ride comfort of the Range Rover with the fun of the Alpina I can compromise there.

Audio is certainly subjective - our Rover had the Meridian Signature system and, apart from the navigation directions from the driver headrest, it was only “meh”.

Ultimately I’m a technology nerd, and that’s what won me out with the Rivian. I wish the headlights were as good as the BMW’s though (they are MILES better than those on any Range Rover!)

 

[MidnightRivian]

I love the ride of the R1S as its more exciting and lively. The R1T felt way too numb and refined for me.

Throw the R1S with 20" All terrains on Sport Lowest or Sport low and come back to me.

 

[BigGreenR1S]

I’ve had several X7s (my last was an Alpina XB7) and Range Rovers (we recently sold our 2022 First Edition).

Have you driven the R1T? I love the way that drives, it’s easily as comfortable as the Rover ever was, and handles better than the Alpina did. I’ll concede that the interior isn’t anywhere near as “high end”, but for the long distance ride comfort of the Range Rover with the fun of the Alpina I can compromise there.

Audio is certainly subjective - our Rover had the Meridian Signature system and, apart from the navigation directions from the driver headrest, it was only “meh”.

Ultimately I’m a technology nerd, and that’s what won me out with the Rivian. I wish the headlights were as good as the BMW’s though (they are MILES better than those on any Range Rover!)

I have not driven the R1T but have only heard great things about the ride quality, including C&D who I’m sorry to say did nail it when describing the R1S ride even though I didn’t want to believe it. Wife said no to the truck so was waiting for the R1S…

I had Meridian in the 2014 Range Rover and it was awesome, like sitting in a music studio, but I’ve heard the later ones with speakers in the head rest aren’t as good for some reason. Pretty sure it was just the stock one that came with the HSE+ or something like that. Was very excited Rivians would have Meridian until they pulled it…

Full-on tech nerd here too, which is why I switched to the X7 in 2019, the RR’s Nav system and what-not was still like from 2001 or something and didn’t even have adaptive cruise, but the new X7 had self-driving and all the other bells and whistles. Ride quality was comparable so I went for it despite its “only mother can love“ looks in comparison the RR, lol.

Fast forward to now and really really wanting to love the R1S but just can’t trade the X7 for it after driving back to back. .

I will still be massively rooting for Rivian as a company though! I think what they’ve done with the R1S and R1Ts off-road capabilities is incredible and I have no doubt they’ll sort the chassis issues out given how great everyone says the R1T is.

 

[HaveBlue]

Glad you got to test drive but they are short. Hard to go through everything. They really rush people through it.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Pedal takes some getting used to. Travel is way longer than a lot of vehicles I have driven. With 835 hp on tap, and still having well controlled regen, it makes a lot of sense. Modulation is pretty linear to me, and other people have commented on it before similar to you, and it's simply because they weren't allowing themselves to push it down far enough in normal spirited driving.

 

[iansriv]

Would you consider another test drive? If yes, contact Rivian and ask if you have meeting location options. I have owned a few BMWs including a 7. That is a totally different class of car and the ride is very soft, as it should be. As others have noted, the R1S is a truck designed for off roading. So, it should be compared to similar class vehicles.

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