How is the R1T handling in the corners?

[Dark-Fx]

Interesting to see the comments, almost makes me think something is wrong with my suspension.

I'm coming from a Model 3 Performance but I do own a 2004 Tundra. Both cars feel vastly tighter on turns than the R1T. Whether I'm on soft or stiff suspension, I feel like the truck feels like a boat taking turns. Maybe I should get it checked? lol

Nah, nothings wrong with your truck. Must just all be in your head. An almost 20 year old full size truck definitely should feel tighter in corners than a brand new truck with technology specifically designed to minimize body roll in corners.

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[sierraskier]

Coming from an Audi allroad, it's definitely not that. You feel the 7k lb mass, large AT wheels, and added height. For what it is (a 7k lb truck) it handles well.

As @OverZealous said, sport/soft/low is the sweet spot for ride comfort + handling. Standard sport setting just feels a little weird in/out of corners. To me the suspension is just a little too firm and it's likely exposing the weaknesses of the AT tires. Even then, the power delivery feels a little jerky and inconsistent on my truck.

 

[electruck]

It's still a truck. It rides well enough for a truck... But don't be fooled; this is NOT a sports car in the handling department. I'm a bit surprised so many people have purported it to be so. It just goes to show that everything is relative, and what you're used to matters a lot. If you're driving a 1989 F-100 with blown out suspension bushings, the R1T is going to feel like a Porsche 911. But objectively it is NOT a sports car, there is a decent bit of body roll, and the tires protest vocally when pushed too hard in the corners.

Again, good for a truck. Very good, even. But not a sports car.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts relative to your XC60/90.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts relative to your XC60/90.

They’re different. The 60 and 90 are not particularly sporty, either. I thought my previous Acura actually was more fun to drive in a spirited manner. The 90 rides smoother but the 60 handles better. I am impressed with the steering in the 60 — neither under nor oversteer. Although my Acura was more fun in the corners, it understeered unless you gave it throttle (yay for torque vectoring). Both Volvos have more neutral steering.

 

[electruck]

They’re different. The 60 and 90 are not particularly sporty, either. I thought my previous Acura actually was more fun to drive in a spirited manner. The 90 rides smoother but the 60 handles better. I am impressed with the steering in the 60 — neither under nor oversteer. Although my Acura was more fun in the corners, it understeered unless you gave it throttle (yay for torque vectoring). Both Volvos have more neutral steering.

Yes, the Volvos aren't particularly sporty which is why I felt they might be a better point of comparison for the R1 than an actual sports car. I'm also very familiar with the ride and handling of both the XC60/90 so they're a good reference point for me personally. Thanks for that feedback.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Yes, the Volvos aren't particularly sporty which is why I felt they might be a better point of comparison for the R1 than an actual sports car. I'm also very familiar with the ride and handling of both the XC60/90 so they're a good reference point for me personally. Thanks for that feedback.

I've owned a Q5 and currently own a Mazda CX-5 AWD and it has significantly less roll and is much better in the corners than either of them.

 

[coshesey]

Interesting to see the comments, almost makes me think something is wrong with my suspension.

I'm coming from a Model 3 Performance but I do own a 2004 Tundra. Both cars feel vastly tighter on turns than the R1T. Whether I'm on soft or stiff suspension, I feel like the truck feels like a boat taking turns. Maybe I should get it checked? lol

Make sure you have Auto height turned off... With it on the handling suffers IMHO

 

[coshesey]

I do not have the AT 20" tires, but I must think that a larger sidewall with AT rubber (lowest skidpad score on tests) would not make for a vehicle with great response or handling on the twisties.

PK

 

[fastwheels]

I have the 22" tires and think it handles very well - far better than the average vehicle, and probably as well as some (but certainly not all) sport sedans. Ride quality is better than many of the sport sedans I have driven or ridden in over the years.

I'm at a little over 6,000 miles now and have stopped adding "for a truck" when I tell people how well it rides and handles when they ask.

 

[dotlinetriangle]

I agree with the thread consensus–good for the weight and vehicle class, but not a 911. That said, you feel the Rivian's weight most in the corners. Down a curvy backroad though, it's an absolute blast. Not sports car-like, but it's own kind of fun. The feeling of carrying the weight, inertia, and power of the truck around a curve (especially with the A/C and radio off so you can hear the wind and spaceship noises) is very, very satisfying.

 

[Novo-caine]

It's still a truck. It rides well enough for a truck... But don't be fooled; this is NOT a sports car in the handling department. I'm a bit surprised so many people have purported it to be so. It just goes to show that everything is relative, and what you're used to matters a lot. If you're driving a 1989 F-100 with blown out suspension bushings, the R1T is going to feel like a Porsche 911. But objectively it is NOT a sports car, there is a decent bit of body roll, and the tires protest vocally when pushed too hard in the corners.

Again, good for a truck. Very good, even. But not a sports car.

I completely agree. This is how I explain it to everyone that asks. Handles much better than any truck I’ve driven and really fun to drive, but again not a sports car. I came from an Audi SQ5 and although that corners better, I would never trade my R1T for anything. It checks all the boxes for me.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

If feels close to a GT3 RS.....give or take

 

[shumdit]

If you look it up, C&D says a .80 on the skid pad for the 20" and .84 with the 21". Edmunds got .87 on the skid pad with the 21" wheels. Not sure if the 22" tires have been tested yet.

I came from a B8.5 Audi S4 and it is not that, but I feel it handles really amazing on the twisties.

edit: I would also suggest to NOT use the auto feature for ride height if you want the truck to handle predictably. Also, with this king of power available, lift throttle response in a corner under power can me unsettling in all purpose mode.

I find that sport soft is a great mix for some fun. Surprising how easy it is to pitch it sideways in a corner with solid control.

PK

The 22’s pull a 4.6 G in the curves. Pics of my passenger attached from a recent run at the Tail of the Dragon. I heard 22’s were going up to a $7500 option because G suits would be included as part of the package.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I completely agree. This is how I explain it to everyone that asks. Handles much better than any truck I’ve driven and really fun to drive, but again not a sports car. I came from an Audi SQ5 and although that corners better, I would never trade my R1T for anything. It checks all the boxes for me.

I was wondering how the Rivian was going to hold up in the corners compared to my SQ5. Even if it's not as great its much quicker so I'm not too worried about it.

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