Honest Opinion From Current Owners? - Re: R1S

[Meash20]

Early 2023 R1S Quad owner here. I bought it in May and have put over 8000 miles on it since then. I've been to the service center 1 time because my front trunk didn't always close with power. While it was there I had the tires rotated $60 and they replaced a broken floor mat clip.

I've had zero issues, and I agree with the others that suggest in these sort of groups the loudest people are the ones that have had issues, big or small.

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[TyeeMike]

I test drove a R1S in Austin. While the cabin itself was quiet, the car was loud when standing outside. Which was surprising for an EV. The show room guy said something about AC was loud?

I was surprised to hear such a loud motor in an EV. Anyone else notice it?

sure, at times the ac outside of the car can be loud. Could be annoying for people with their windows open nearby. happily i only run the ac when in the vehicle or while pre-conditioning ahead of leaving home / office etc.
i understand the newer models G2 or those equipped with heat pumps are quieter, if it matters.

 

[usulio]

I am so confused about all the editions and battery packs. I am looking for the battery that will give me the highest mileage. And I dont know how to read the different options for sale..

This chart should help: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ttery-capacity-kwh-data-as-of-10-22-24.34905/

The key options are:
* Size of the battery pack
* Generation 1 (2022-2024 model years) or Generation 2 (2025 model year). Gen 2 is newer, a bit more efficient, has a heat pump, smoother ride.
* Dual motor versus Quad motor (or Tri motor in Gen 2), dual is a little bit more efficient
* Choice of wheels and tires, this makes a big difference to efficiency but obviously can be changed aftermarket

 

[PeterSK]

I've had an R1S for 15 months and love it. Some initial issues with the 12V system (turned out to be a loose ground cable) that had it in the service center during the first two weeks, but has been perfect since then. It replaced a 7.5 year old Tesla Model X that I was happy with but didn't want to own post-extended warranty. And I liked the extra space in the R1S - we have lots of kids and dogs.

We also have a 2021 Model Y, which I'll trade in for an R2 when they're available. I understand you may want to avoid Tesla for non-vehicle reasons, but my advice is to just keep it for the time being. You've already paid for it, there aren't yet any good alternatives for your use case (R1S is big/inefficient and service far away), so just keep using it. Get one of those "I bought this before..." bumper stickers if you want. With any luck R2s will be shipping in 18 months...

 

[rivianista]

I test drove a R1S in Austin. While the cabin itself was quiet, the car was loud when standing outside. Which was surprising for an EV. The show room guy said something about AC was loud?

I was surprised to hear such a loud motor in an EV. Anyone else notice it?

Yes I did, I first thought they simulated engine noise to make it sound like an ICE

 

[Davethadog]

In all honestly I don’t consider rivians to be reliable vehicles yet and I think the range you’re looking for in low temperatures is a reach. Certainly wouldn’t give me the warm and fuzzies.

 

[Captain JB]

Our R1S is amazing and range is n it an issue even with the Adventure package and 20 off road tires. 275 miles with 100% ROC. We have had annoying failures with the infotainment system and have NEVER had reliable Alexa. We signed up to get these fixed 3 months ago so a 4 month waiting list which is unacceptable and if that does not change, Rivian wont make it.,…sadly. They need many more service centers. Otherwise, very happy with the car and we DO use it for off roading and the vehicle does not even sweat with the 835 HP and 4 motions. JB

 

[buddha2lotus]

Owner of my R1S since March of last year, just sold my Model S when the adapter arrived. I have been very happy with mine, much more room and comfy, and love the sound system. I’m 6’1” and people have plenty of space behind me. Only issue is the frunk won’t close remotely but not a big deal enough for me to get it serviced. Otherwise trouble free so far.

 

[bigsky]

My R1S has been flawless as far as functional issues is concerned. I've had none of the plentiful horror stories posted on here.

What mine has had:
Some minor things after delivery; the frunk would not close suddenly. Rivian Mobile came and fixed it in 2 min.
The driver door sticks out beyond the rear door some.

The ride is very comfortable (forever on All Purpose/standard height).
The only significant issue I have had is corrosion/paint blistering on one of the doors. Rivian just completed repairs, including repainting and replacing the entire door. Rivian service and support was top-notch. Eventually.

Be aware that getting an appointment for service may take months out. There is Mobile service, which is good, but again, it may take several weeks to get it.

My nearest service center is 300 miles away. Have an appt. for the 7500 mile service. Until next March!
In all fairness, Rivian warned me about the service center being so far away before purchase and delivery.

Not sure the R1S is or should be your commuter like the Model Y. It is a big vehicle, and it feels big. SUV big. Also, it is very inefficient (by EV standards). Whereas you may get 3-4 miles on a Model Y on 1 kWh, the R1S has 2 miles/kWh on average. In the winter, that may be reduced further and significantly.

Good luck.

 

[Dmroc]

Thanks everyone for your helpful answers. I am not buying a Rivian for now. On the waitlist for R2. I have to bite the bullet and buy a Tesla S, use it until R2 or Lucid SUV arrives.

Chao.

 

[HopefullyR1S]

Our dual motor large pack has a range of 348 when at 100% (244 at 70%).
If charged to 85% you should get 270-280 miles of range in the winter.
I would buy an ICE vehicle before ever buying a Tesla. And I really really hate ICE vehicles.

 

[SurfnBike]

I took delivery of 2025 R1S dual Motor Max - All Terrain September 3rd. I sold a 2022 AWD Model 3 Long Range to get the R1S. My difference - Model 3 is more of a sports car. R1S is a SUV with sports car feel and drive. Model 3 interior is minimal. R1S is definitely luxury. Ride adjustment is amazing. Range better than Model 3. Both have OTA updates. In my opinion Musk has damaged the brand and I will never purchase another Tesla. There are other EVs out there. I just prefer Rivian and what the company represents. The customer service with Tesla was awful and their guides always seemed to BS and give a I don’t care attitude. So far Rivian guides and online chat representives have been responsive, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly. The face of a company does make a difference. And what the owner of a company speaks loud and clear makes a difference of where i spend my money.

You realize that Musk is just one guy and there are 100K+ employees at Tesla, right? By your logic you should boycott Amazon and about a million other businesses. Remember when everyone in Seattle hated Amazon? Nope, because nobody remembers it anymore and now Amazon has like half of the entire ecommerce market. Elon is more than just Tesla, he's got a ton of other companies. So if you take that logic and extend it then don't use starlink internet on the plane and don't drive in a boring tunnel or ride in a tesla-uber when it comes out. In the end nobody will care and will buy Teslas and their services because they are an excellent product, and the consumer wins. I mean you can buy California spiney lobster for 4X the price of Main lobster if you want, but in the end it's just a financial decision.

Rivian is at best a niche manufacturer, most people still haven't even heard of them. My 2 cents on Rivian is that you need to make some allowances for them because they are a still new car company with low volume. They have a good brand and I hope that they can hold onto it and that they succeed. My wife loves her R1S.

 

[BearMan123]

It would take too long to read everyone’s responses but, one thing for sure, there is a ton of negative, negative stuff on this forum to the point where you almost want to ask—do you mind moving on?

I am the proud owner of a Gen2 R1S. Yep, my vehicle spent 3 1/2 weeks at the SC after purchase as I was one of the first. There were several issues to be addressed, mostly the vibration from the new heat pump. A combination of a replacement fan and software updates have that resolved. I am, overall, impressed with this machine and particularly given the start-up nature of this company. There are 2 software changes that Rivian added based upon recommendations I made to someone that runs the East Coast and, go figure, they made it into the updates.

Is it a perfect vehicle? Far from it. I have my lists of ‘things that make you go humm’. Although, a lot of those are design or software decisions and silly things, like controlling the fan vents on the screen and the fact that the panaromic glass does not have a sun shade (although now mine is tinted and with one of those add-on shades). If I didn’t lease the car, I’d replace the subwoofer for sure—but, I did that on a $120K Escalade and if I showed you the piece of crap sub I pulled out of a car at that price point, you would be shocked. It couldn’t have cost more than a $100.

You will find the need to escape Car Play. But, I think you will. I’d like to get Sirius on the car with my master account, mostly for play-by-play football—but, I’m streaming that through my app via Bluetooth. No big deal.

I also have a 2024 BMW i4 M50. Now, that’s a fast nearly sports car. But, I can give you a list of things that BMW has done and, in particular, on the idrive 8.5 system that are just stupid. I enjoy that car for a different reason, although the range sucks. But, it’s an around town rocket ship and no Tesla charging for the time being with an adapter.

I’ve seen a few people comment on Lucid which I seriously considered in lieu of the BMW as a second EV. There is a Car&Driver review on the Lucid Air which they had for a year. They loved the car; they said it was the worst service and set of problems that they have had. I think the article is called the Good and Bad of Lucid ownership.

I think you have to decide to ‘bend’ a little bit in the EV world. There are software driven vehicles and nearly every manufacturer has its problems. Yeah, you can go to a Wagoneer and I have rented them several times—they float all over the road like my boats. The Gen2 R1S suspension is remarkably excellent, even with the AT 20’s I have on them.

I have the Max package Gen2 and just picked up my Lectron Tesla adapter. I’m ready to hit the long distance road with this thing and trek of road. Once I coat the sides of this thing with mud, I’ll post a picture. Last I checked, with the sole exception of the GM Hummer SUV (are you kidding me?), the Rivian R1S is the only SUV game in town that can head off road. Tomorrow is a 320 mile round trip for me—my first long-distance journey and I intend to push the range. Will report my mileage in another thread on Sunday.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

I’m not the brightest guy. But OP has confused the heck out of me. Is there a SC close or 5 hours away? You want an R1 or you don’t? You think 490mi range on the Silverado is not enough? Head is spinning lol. Probably just me though.

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