Electric_Panda
Member
- First Name
- Sunil
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2022
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 63
- Location
- San Diego & Miami
- Vehicles
- Zero Motorcycles, Karma GS-6, Apocalypse, McL 570S
- Occupation
- health stuff
- Thread starter
- #1
I waited a really really long time for this truck, 12/12/2018 to 08/24/2022 to be precise.
Total dropped ball by Rivian, that to their credit, they picked up, admitted to, made right, and got it delivered.
Delivery Experience - I can not say enough about the fact that the entire San Diego Team was present to greet me and review the truck with me. Managers, Service, Customer Experience, and even my newly assigned guide "J" drove a few hours for me. They openly acknowledged the miscues that occurred in my reservation, configuration, and delivery process with honesty and offered a few thoughtful items of Rivian Swag and a gift certificate to my daughters favorite Little Italy restaurant. We had a last minute issue with the title and registration that was resolved in minutes.
Were there the usual gap issues identified? Yes, they were minimized to my liking.
Were there issues with orange peel? Yes, mainly on back of truck and near charging port. This is being looked at next week
Did the tonneau operate? As expected it broke down right at delivery and they ordered the new system which is being installed right after Labor Day. Actually happy I am getting the new and improved power T system right from the get go to be honest.
Calling them out by name: James and Sarah - THANK YOU SAN DIEGO RIVIAN.
And I drove off . . . . have had it only 8 days now and driven it 400 miles. We have taken it all around Point Loma, Little Italy, Downtown San Diego, OB, PB, MB and then up to OC for the Yankees Angels game in Anaheim and back. So, good variety of stop and go, flats, hills, beach cruising, highways, and parking.
Background: I am 49 years old and a huge car enthusiast - classics, electrics, exotics, sports, you name it. Have owned many electrics and intimately familiar with the technology since its infant stages over a decade ago.
All this makes me extremely picky and admittedly extremely hard to please.
Where would I rank the Rivian R1T in the pantheon of cars I have owned? NUMBER ONE.
It has the performance of my McLaren, Lambo, or Ferrari it has the rugged road utility of my old H2s and Range Rover Sports and matches them and all my Jeeps in off road looks and capability. It never feels too slow even in conserve mode. It is far more luxurious when compared to my Tesla 3s or Xs, and feel, fit and finish are eons above my Karma Revero or GS-6 - both cars I love from a company beloved by me -- but sorry, no comparison, its hands down Rivian.
Top 3 Most striking aspects of the R1T:
1. Fit and Finish - Lord, the luxurious feel and look of this truck is second to none. Get in one and then get in a Bentayga, Cullinan, Urus, X, any Range and tell me it does not meet, compete, or beat them all. It is impressive. The gripes about little fit and finish pieces are very minor. A part of the door handle is made of a cheaper plastic than would be desired and prone to micro scratches . . . literally the Ferraris suffer from worse I assure you. There is just flat out industry leading attention to detail here and I very much appreciate the final product I received. Super bummed I took delivery and suddenly the long awaited Ocean Coast is here, but honestly the nostalgic Retro Brady Bunch Hollywood Hills vibe that the Forest Edge puts off is so appealing and different that I would not go back and change even if able to.
2. Performance - Okay, are Rivian owners just being coy or just not that experienced as owners/drivers of high performance vehicles? Becuase we all watch the reviews of YouTube saying "wow, it is so fast and the power is immediate" and then they move on to something else, but LADIES AND GENTS - this is a BAD BOY TRUCK . . . impressive off the line in ANY mode, hauls up a hill like it is being yanked up by a jet, the best regen braking I have ever experienced, handles like a Lambo or Lotus around a bend, and is so comfortable on the HOV to just slide into cruise control and active lane assist and chill. The driving experience on this truck makes it my first choice every morning. Which is going to become a problem, lol. Put it this way, I drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to OC with a Ferrari 458 Spider on Monday and then did the same drive in the Rivian R1T on Wednesday -- had as good if not better time in the Rivian (and no $100 fill up at the gas station)
3. Lighting - great headlights, love the look at night. absolutely love all the green charging strips flashing all over the car when plugged in. Interior lights are very high quality switches and bulbs. screen dimmers are very nice. JUST discovered there is ambient lighting with three levels, brightest is best (wish they were soft multicolor like "za Germans" though)
Top 10 Smaller things I LOVE about the R1T:
1. Best ventilated seats I have ever experienced. used in humid 100+ weather and cooled passengers immediately.
2. Sound system is Sickkkk. Fire? Lit? The GOAT? Not sure what is the groovy way of saying it is second to none, but I'm truly hard pressed to tell you another car that sounds as good in the cabin stock with OEM.
3. Gear Guard Camera and Locking System are actually functional and useful not just a silly gimmick like I figured they would be with the mascot etc.
4. Wristband, Phone, Cards, and Fob are all very nice ways to get in and out of this truck - Yes, the wristband is totally waterproof - I did not take it off when sleeping, showering, or even doing Hot Power Yoga -- no issues at all.
5. USBs and Power Outlet are all oh so wonderful. I bought Silver and Yellow cords to match my R1T Limestone vibe both for iPhone and Android devices as well as used the 110 outlet for my laptop so far. It has become a rolling workplace for me in a way I have not been able to accomplish with any other vehicle I have owned.
6. Huge Sunroof is not very noticeable from drivers seat but when you are in the back seat it feels like a glass orb. I love it. It has been getting pretty hot in the cabin here in SoCal with this 100+ degree heat wave, but hey, you have remote cabin climate control for a reason, I will use it as needed.
7. Hotspot works great and all interfaces with Alexa and Spotify are seamless and high resolution.
8. The Gear Tunnel has come in handy at the Farmers Market, for cool photo shoots with friends, and as a step to jump into the bed.
9. Storage Space has been well documented and covered, but it is really awesome - is that technical enough of a review for it? It is just so great.
10. So glad I went with the Sport 22s - the ride is not that bumpy and the decrease in electric mileage is nothing compared to how they look parked and rolling. And to get them at no cost as part of the early Launch Edition promotion? a steal.
Now the Nitpicky List
1. The aforementioned inside door handle plastic is just out of place with all the premium interior components
2. Ergonomically the center console needs some after market love to upgrade the user experience.
3. When you jump into the car sometimes it asks you for the proof you have a key again and that can be annoying in a rush or cumbersome with a wristband having to reach back out the door. Maybe I am doing something wrong, will check this with the service team in a few days. UPDATE: 9/5/22, with the new over air software update, this delay and reconfirm has gone away . . . will continue to monitor it, but I think Nitpick # 3 is dead.
4. The panel gaps are there no question. Mine look as good as can be, it will be okay
5. The back of the truck needs something to toughen it up visually - I will think of something.
6. Why is the front camera awful when the rear camera is so high resolution? I hope Rivian replaces the front one or offers an alternative upgrade, because I would do it in a heartbeat. The 360 camera and the side views are as good as the industry leading Rolls Royce product I had in the Ghost.
7. So much storage, but a glove box is still useful, and we do not get it - also, a dedicated space to place sunglasses would be really great to have -- and thanks to a Rivian forum member, I found awesome compartments in seat bottom - excellent location, fit, finish. Guess this "nitpick 7" is eliminated.
8. When you exit the vehicle there is a rubber moulding that frictions off every other time. Need a step there of a better affixed moulding. Have put it back a dozen times in first 250 miles! lol.
9. The APP is basic and I look forward to updates soon increasing its functionality. PS - thanks to forum member for getting my App changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit. UPDATE - 9/5/22, The over the air software update added Frunk Open/Close, Windows, and Alarm. My windows still need to be "calibrated" at the Service Center to use this feature, but here goes Rivian putting more into the App - basically Nitpick 9 is hereby eliminated. I mean, what else do I need it to do? I would say controlling the lighting from a far and having choice of sounds for the alarm and alerts? That is getting super nitpick now though - more like a wish list then a lack of a feature.
10. I could not think of any others, okay yeah, whoever approaches vehicle first is the "Driver" and the seat moves for them, not the person with proximity to the front seat - easy fix Rivian Techs, lets get that one done quick. UPDATE - 9/5/22, the software update claims to improve this feature - have not tested it yet, but if it fixed it, Nitpick 10 is gone.
That is all for now. Live in San Diego part time so idle mile loss, remote connectivity, cabin climate control, paint preservation, security while parked, battery management, are all big deals to me and I will review when I come back after being away for October.
Update - New Software Update improved idle mile loss by 10%, remote connectivity has improved, cabin climate control is spot on now, security when parked is solid, battery management seems to not be an issue at all. The PERFECT park and leave it for a stretch vehicle.
Requested Photos.
Goofing around with my daughter pose in front of my project home in Point Loma. Coincidently R1T matches my FJ I customized years ago . . .
J and Sarah - James not pictured. All 3 made this delivery happen.
(Another goofy thing I do, at vehicle deliveries, I match my outfit to the truck - it's a decades old 'thing' - think I pulled off Forest Edge pants and Limestone camo pretty well. ;-)
Yay, for once I am the FIRST with something . . . . JUST had my first door opening delay when trying to enter with wrist band though. . . hope it was something I did wrong.
Sunset Cliffs, Full Time for the R1T, part time for me.
Total dropped ball by Rivian, that to their credit, they picked up, admitted to, made right, and got it delivered.
Delivery Experience - I can not say enough about the fact that the entire San Diego Team was present to greet me and review the truck with me. Managers, Service, Customer Experience, and even my newly assigned guide "J" drove a few hours for me. They openly acknowledged the miscues that occurred in my reservation, configuration, and delivery process with honesty and offered a few thoughtful items of Rivian Swag and a gift certificate to my daughters favorite Little Italy restaurant. We had a last minute issue with the title and registration that was resolved in minutes.
Were there the usual gap issues identified? Yes, they were minimized to my liking.
Were there issues with orange peel? Yes, mainly on back of truck and near charging port. This is being looked at next week
Did the tonneau operate? As expected it broke down right at delivery and they ordered the new system which is being installed right after Labor Day. Actually happy I am getting the new and improved power T system right from the get go to be honest.
Calling them out by name: James and Sarah - THANK YOU SAN DIEGO RIVIAN.
And I drove off . . . . have had it only 8 days now and driven it 400 miles. We have taken it all around Point Loma, Little Italy, Downtown San Diego, OB, PB, MB and then up to OC for the Yankees Angels game in Anaheim and back. So, good variety of stop and go, flats, hills, beach cruising, highways, and parking.
Background: I am 49 years old and a huge car enthusiast - classics, electrics, exotics, sports, you name it. Have owned many electrics and intimately familiar with the technology since its infant stages over a decade ago.
All this makes me extremely picky and admittedly extremely hard to please.
Where would I rank the Rivian R1T in the pantheon of cars I have owned? NUMBER ONE.
It has the performance of my McLaren, Lambo, or Ferrari it has the rugged road utility of my old H2s and Range Rover Sports and matches them and all my Jeeps in off road looks and capability. It never feels too slow even in conserve mode. It is far more luxurious when compared to my Tesla 3s or Xs, and feel, fit and finish are eons above my Karma Revero or GS-6 - both cars I love from a company beloved by me -- but sorry, no comparison, its hands down Rivian.
Top 3 Most striking aspects of the R1T:
1. Fit and Finish - Lord, the luxurious feel and look of this truck is second to none. Get in one and then get in a Bentayga, Cullinan, Urus, X, any Range and tell me it does not meet, compete, or beat them all. It is impressive. The gripes about little fit and finish pieces are very minor. A part of the door handle is made of a cheaper plastic than would be desired and prone to micro scratches . . . literally the Ferraris suffer from worse I assure you. There is just flat out industry leading attention to detail here and I very much appreciate the final product I received. Super bummed I took delivery and suddenly the long awaited Ocean Coast is here, but honestly the nostalgic Retro Brady Bunch Hollywood Hills vibe that the Forest Edge puts off is so appealing and different that I would not go back and change even if able to.
2. Performance - Okay, are Rivian owners just being coy or just not that experienced as owners/drivers of high performance vehicles? Becuase we all watch the reviews of YouTube saying "wow, it is so fast and the power is immediate" and then they move on to something else, but LADIES AND GENTS - this is a BAD BOY TRUCK . . . impressive off the line in ANY mode, hauls up a hill like it is being yanked up by a jet, the best regen braking I have ever experienced, handles like a Lambo or Lotus around a bend, and is so comfortable on the HOV to just slide into cruise control and active lane assist and chill. The driving experience on this truck makes it my first choice every morning. Which is going to become a problem, lol. Put it this way, I drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to OC with a Ferrari 458 Spider on Monday and then did the same drive in the Rivian R1T on Wednesday -- had as good if not better time in the Rivian (and no $100 fill up at the gas station)
3. Lighting - great headlights, love the look at night. absolutely love all the green charging strips flashing all over the car when plugged in. Interior lights are very high quality switches and bulbs. screen dimmers are very nice. JUST discovered there is ambient lighting with three levels, brightest is best (wish they were soft multicolor like "za Germans" though)
Top 10 Smaller things I LOVE about the R1T:
1. Best ventilated seats I have ever experienced. used in humid 100+ weather and cooled passengers immediately.
2. Sound system is Sickkkk. Fire? Lit? The GOAT? Not sure what is the groovy way of saying it is second to none, but I'm truly hard pressed to tell you another car that sounds as good in the cabin stock with OEM.
3. Gear Guard Camera and Locking System are actually functional and useful not just a silly gimmick like I figured they would be with the mascot etc.
4. Wristband, Phone, Cards, and Fob are all very nice ways to get in and out of this truck - Yes, the wristband is totally waterproof - I did not take it off when sleeping, showering, or even doing Hot Power Yoga -- no issues at all.
5. USBs and Power Outlet are all oh so wonderful. I bought Silver and Yellow cords to match my R1T Limestone vibe both for iPhone and Android devices as well as used the 110 outlet for my laptop so far. It has become a rolling workplace for me in a way I have not been able to accomplish with any other vehicle I have owned.
6. Huge Sunroof is not very noticeable from drivers seat but when you are in the back seat it feels like a glass orb. I love it. It has been getting pretty hot in the cabin here in SoCal with this 100+ degree heat wave, but hey, you have remote cabin climate control for a reason, I will use it as needed.
7. Hotspot works great and all interfaces with Alexa and Spotify are seamless and high resolution.
8. The Gear Tunnel has come in handy at the Farmers Market, for cool photo shoots with friends, and as a step to jump into the bed.
9. Storage Space has been well documented and covered, but it is really awesome - is that technical enough of a review for it? It is just so great.
10. So glad I went with the Sport 22s - the ride is not that bumpy and the decrease in electric mileage is nothing compared to how they look parked and rolling. And to get them at no cost as part of the early Launch Edition promotion? a steal.
Now the Nitpicky List
1. The aforementioned inside door handle plastic is just out of place with all the premium interior components
2. Ergonomically the center console needs some after market love to upgrade the user experience.
3. When you jump into the car sometimes it asks you for the proof you have a key again and that can be annoying in a rush or cumbersome with a wristband having to reach back out the door. Maybe I am doing something wrong, will check this with the service team in a few days. UPDATE: 9/5/22, with the new over air software update, this delay and reconfirm has gone away . . . will continue to monitor it, but I think Nitpick # 3 is dead.
4. The panel gaps are there no question. Mine look as good as can be, it will be okay
5. The back of the truck needs something to toughen it up visually - I will think of something.
6. Why is the front camera awful when the rear camera is so high resolution? I hope Rivian replaces the front one or offers an alternative upgrade, because I would do it in a heartbeat. The 360 camera and the side views are as good as the industry leading Rolls Royce product I had in the Ghost.
7. So much storage, but a glove box is still useful, and we do not get it - also, a dedicated space to place sunglasses would be really great to have -- and thanks to a Rivian forum member, I found awesome compartments in seat bottom - excellent location, fit, finish. Guess this "nitpick 7" is eliminated.
8. When you exit the vehicle there is a rubber moulding that frictions off every other time. Need a step there of a better affixed moulding. Have put it back a dozen times in first 250 miles! lol.
9. The APP is basic and I look forward to updates soon increasing its functionality. PS - thanks to forum member for getting my App changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit. UPDATE - 9/5/22, The over the air software update added Frunk Open/Close, Windows, and Alarm. My windows still need to be "calibrated" at the Service Center to use this feature, but here goes Rivian putting more into the App - basically Nitpick 9 is hereby eliminated. I mean, what else do I need it to do? I would say controlling the lighting from a far and having choice of sounds for the alarm and alerts? That is getting super nitpick now though - more like a wish list then a lack of a feature.
10. I could not think of any others, okay yeah, whoever approaches vehicle first is the "Driver" and the seat moves for them, not the person with proximity to the front seat - easy fix Rivian Techs, lets get that one done quick. UPDATE - 9/5/22, the software update claims to improve this feature - have not tested it yet, but if it fixed it, Nitpick 10 is gone.
That is all for now. Live in San Diego part time so idle mile loss, remote connectivity, cabin climate control, paint preservation, security while parked, battery management, are all big deals to me and I will review when I come back after being away for October.
Update - New Software Update improved idle mile loss by 10%, remote connectivity has improved, cabin climate control is spot on now, security when parked is solid, battery management seems to not be an issue at all. The PERFECT park and leave it for a stretch vehicle.
Requested Photos.
Goofing around with my daughter pose in front of my project home in Point Loma. Coincidently R1T matches my FJ I customized years ago . . .
J and Sarah - James not pictured. All 3 made this delivery happen.
(Another goofy thing I do, at vehicle deliveries, I match my outfit to the truck - it's a decades old 'thing' - think I pulled off Forest Edge pants and Limestone camo pretty well. ;-)
Yay, for once I am the FIRST with something . . . . JUST had my first door opening delay when trying to enter with wrist band though. . . hope it was something I did wrong.
Sunset Cliffs, Full Time for the R1T, part time for me.
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