socaladam
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oh good, I can buy $5k worth of wheels and tires and have a less crappy ride, yay me…
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Donald Stanfield
Well-Known Member
Depends on your point of reference. If you're expecting it to drive like a sedan, then it's not refined. Considering its capabilities, it's truly remarkable.
Donald Stanfield
Well-Known Member
Is the Rivian your first car? If not, you should have known by now how tires work. Large rims = less rubber, which means a bumpier ride. It also helps with tire sidewall stiffness, allowing the vehicle to corner better. This is basic vehicle knowledge that one would think everyone with six figures to spend on a car would bother to learn about before making a purchase.
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Jumpjack
Active Member
Also approx. 9 months in on a R1S Dual (Max) with very little to report in terms of issues. I've had to reboot the car a couple of times to clear a few glitches but that's all really. Mine came with 22" wheels and I found the ride too jittery even on the soft setting, so I bought some aftermarket 20" rims with the Riv spec Goodyear tires which I still run in soft mode but feel the ride is improved. I could sell the 22" rims and tires for around $3K and wouldn't be too much out of pocket. The range is possibly a bit less than the 22's but that's why i got the Max battery, so that I wouldn't need to worry about such things including degradation.
Another thought that I'm guessing many might not agree with is that I didn't get the Performance option and so saved $5K (which I chose to put into the battery). To me it's plenty fast already, if I boot it anything in my kids hands goes airborne so I'm limited there anyhow! I would say that the acceleration from 60 up to say 80/90mph isn't what the 0-60 would have you imagine but from what I can gather that's not much different for the Performance/Dual model. There are some extra driving modes that come with the Performance package but I've never tried them so can't comment on usefulness or value. Anyhow the Performance option can be activated post purchase so you have the option to try without and add as desired.
Another thought that I'm guessing many might not agree with is that I didn't get the Performance option and so saved $5K (which I chose to put into the battery). To me it's plenty fast already, if I boot it anything in my kids hands goes airborne so I'm limited there anyhow! I would say that the acceleration from 60 up to say 80/90mph isn't what the 0-60 would have you imagine but from what I can gather that's not much different for the Performance/Dual model. There are some extra driving modes that come with the Performance package but I've never tried them so can't comment on usefulness or value. Anyhow the Performance option can be activated post purchase so you have the option to try without and add as desired.
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mpshizzle
Well-Known Member
I've been very happy with my gen 2 R1S! It has never once felt unsettled or like the back end is loose, like Kyle from out of spec described. I honestly think that something is amis with theirs.
I can say that the ride quality is definitely a little bit worse than R1T when going over poorly graded roads with a lot of waviness. But nothing that I would consider to be "bad" suspension. One thing to know is that my alignment was off from the factory. And that does seem to be pretty common. In my case the alignment didn't result in poor handling, but it did mean that the steering would pull to the right, and tires wore unevenly. But all of this was covered under warranty so I ended up being not a big deal. I got the alignment fixed and it was totally fine
Another side note - the turning radius is absolutely incredible in r1s. It makes it feel so much more maneuverable and easy to deal with in parking lots and making u-turns. R1T feels like an absolute boat by comparison.
I can say that the ride quality is definitely a little bit worse than R1T when going over poorly graded roads with a lot of waviness. But nothing that I would consider to be "bad" suspension. One thing to know is that my alignment was off from the factory. And that does seem to be pretty common. In my case the alignment didn't result in poor handling, but it did mean that the steering would pull to the right, and tires wore unevenly. But all of this was covered under warranty so I ended up being not a big deal. I got the alignment fixed and it was totally fine
Another side note - the turning radius is absolutely incredible in r1s. It makes it feel so much more maneuverable and easy to deal with in parking lots and making u-turns. R1T feels like an absolute boat by comparison.
carsly
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four months into a 2025 R1S Dual Large. I like the space seats are decently comfortable, ventilation works well, climate control is highly configurable and plenty of storage space. Have never DC fast charged so cant' comment on that but home charging has had no issues. My family really like the dynamic roof and the in-vehicle WiFi works well, even in places that are dead zones for our phones. Adaptive headlights are great at night and really push the beams down the roadway.
The software is a bit buggy. Every update brings new issues that are usually cleared with a hard reset. I've had my backup camera turn green, loss of blind spot cameras, loss of front collision warning, loss of Spotify and TuneIn (x2) and the remote heating part of preconditioning doesn't seem to actually do anything. It can run for 30 minutes and never raise the inside temperature.
Ride quality is okay. There is substantial A pillar wind leakage/noise at highway speeds (65+mph) so bad it sounds like the windows are open. Highway driving requires constant small inputs to go straight, that's a bit odd, not sure what's up there. The suspension is...unrefined. It has real issues dealing with successive bumps like potholes and requires a firm grasp on the wheel as it will kick a little sideways or lift a corner rather than absorb the impacts and keep tracking straight. Sound system is rental car grade.
I'm riding on 22's so would strongly recommend riding on 20's as I think the tires will absorb more impact and help the vehicle handle better since the suspension isn't quite up to snuff. I've had demo drives in the Gen 1 and think that was a more capable handler on rough/rutted roadways than the Gen 2. I can't comment on software stability in Gen 1 vs Gen 2 but the promised improvements, other than rear camera quality, just aren't there.
All in all, it's a 6.5 out of 10. Unless you need the added battery capacity for long drives or towing I think it's a solid purchase for a Dual Standard at the price point if you qualify for the Federal tax credit. At $90+K on some builds, including mine, I'm not feeling it and hoping Rivian can dial in the handling and sound system to make it a 7-7.5/10. I like it, don't love it, at the price point.
PS bonus points as the R1S can get a little squirrelly, but not out of control, on a full throttle launch. Just enough to be fun, not enough to be dangerous. My former Model S Plaid obviously launched a lot harder, but there was zero emotion - perfectly flat, no tire squeal, just ferocious G's. I far prefer the Rivian tuning here.
The software is a bit buggy. Every update brings new issues that are usually cleared with a hard reset. I've had my backup camera turn green, loss of blind spot cameras, loss of front collision warning, loss of Spotify and TuneIn (x2) and the remote heating part of preconditioning doesn't seem to actually do anything. It can run for 30 minutes and never raise the inside temperature.
Ride quality is okay. There is substantial A pillar wind leakage/noise at highway speeds (65+mph) so bad it sounds like the windows are open. Highway driving requires constant small inputs to go straight, that's a bit odd, not sure what's up there. The suspension is...unrefined. It has real issues dealing with successive bumps like potholes and requires a firm grasp on the wheel as it will kick a little sideways or lift a corner rather than absorb the impacts and keep tracking straight. Sound system is rental car grade.
I'm riding on 22's so would strongly recommend riding on 20's as I think the tires will absorb more impact and help the vehicle handle better since the suspension isn't quite up to snuff. I've had demo drives in the Gen 1 and think that was a more capable handler on rough/rutted roadways than the Gen 2. I can't comment on software stability in Gen 1 vs Gen 2 but the promised improvements, other than rear camera quality, just aren't there.
All in all, it's a 6.5 out of 10. Unless you need the added battery capacity for long drives or towing I think it's a solid purchase for a Dual Standard at the price point if you qualify for the Federal tax credit. At $90+K on some builds, including mine, I'm not feeling it and hoping Rivian can dial in the handling and sound system to make it a 7-7.5/10. I like it, don't love it, at the price point.
PS bonus points as the R1S can get a little squirrelly, but not out of control, on a full throttle launch. Just enough to be fun, not enough to be dangerous. My former Model S Plaid obviously launched a lot harder, but there was zero emotion - perfectly flat, no tire squeal, just ferocious G's. I far prefer the Rivian tuning here.
jackfu
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Fascinating reading everyone else's experience. Got one of the earlier Gen2 R1S and ride quality has been pretty good. Dealing with successive bumps is easier in moderate or firm suspension if you don't want to feel like the car is popping out on you. That said, I like the bounce personally. Coming from Jeep Gladiator with solid front and rear axles and the BMW X7, I would say depending on how you set your suspension, you can get quite close to either of the two extremes.
I do ride on 20s with AT tires, but still do not really require steering input correction at highway speeds. Or maybe I've just automated those after driving a Jeep and don't even think about them.
0 wind noise around my front windshield or A pillar, but I can believe that there's a lot of variance between different R1s - I had a lot of rattles that I hunted down and silenced.
I do ride on 20s with AT tires, but still do not really require steering input correction at highway speeds. Or maybe I've just automated those after driving a Jeep and don't even think about them.
0 wind noise around my front windshield or A pillar, but I can believe that there's a lot of variance between different R1s - I had a lot of rattles that I hunted down and silenced.
SarahsDad
Active Member
I’m 4 months and 7,500 miles into a new R1S Dual Max Performance and haven’t had any of the suspension issues the YouTubers have mentioned. Out of Spec just posted a video that their R1S was out of alignment and needed front struts (?) replaced. Mine drives butter smooth (on 20” Off-Road package tires) in all-purpose mode with ‘soft’ setting. Unfortunately the softest setting in “Sport” is too bumpy for me so prefer the all purpose mode. Have done several road trips with no real concerns (battery overheated in 100° weather and slowed fast charging once, but not a big deal). Was promped on the app to get wheel rotation and 7,500 mile checkup recently, painlessly scheduled mobile service for 2 weeks from now. I’m an hour from the service center so mobile is appreciated. Coming from a Model S Plaid (and 2 other Teslas before that) I’m sold.
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Sgt Beavis
Well-Known Member
I just took delivery of my R1S this morning. The centered steering wheel issue is there for me but the alignment appears to be spot on. It should be pretty easy for them to adjust the steering wheel if the suspension isn’t misaligned.
Beyond that, the exterior frunk button is inoperable and the cabin is so quiet now that I can hear a tiny squeek coming from the rear of the car.
Still, it sure it purdy. I took my wife up into the mountains afterwards and we enjoyed a very nice ride. It NVH levels are MUCH improved from the Gen1. I’m also very happy with the turning radius being significantly smaller than in my Gen1 R1T. A shorter wheelbase certainly helps in that regard.
Now I need to get a full sized spare and a tow hitch spare tire mount.
Beyond that, the exterior frunk button is inoperable and the cabin is so quiet now that I can hear a tiny squeek coming from the rear of the car.
Still, it sure it purdy. I took my wife up into the mountains afterwards and we enjoyed a very nice ride. It NVH levels are MUCH improved from the Gen1. I’m also very happy with the turning radius being significantly smaller than in my Gen1 R1T. A shorter wheelbase certainly helps in that regard.
Now I need to get a full sized spare and a tow hitch spare tire mount.
RivianG2R1S2024
Active Member
120 V outlet doesn’t work, otherwise, great vehicle. Those Video Influencers are haters or just being too nitpicky. Find me a vehicle without bad apples
TTedP
Well-Known Member
”influencers” (what a dumb word) need content and online, people get more mileage out of complaints.
I had a Gen 1 R1T and was considering going to a Gen 2 R1S. If I let the internet sway my decision, I would’ve never pulled the trigger and boy am I glad I did (go for it).
Picked up my Gen 2 this week and I see a ton of iterative improvements. Yes, some people get lemons but so far, my R1S is fantastic. It really feels more refined, quieter, better put together than my Gen 1 was. I’m very glad I ignored the “influencers”.
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