I really can't decide! (Gen 2 R1T or R1S)

[Jard]

I have been agonizing over this for weeks now!

I am replacing a 2021 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring with captain's chairs in the 2nd row. I often said if someone would make a fully electric version of that car, I would buy it in a moment. I want the R1S to be that car, and I feel like it's close, but not quite...

That leads me to the R1T. It's just cooler and the Gen 1 seemed to be much better than the Gen 1 R1S (suspension and ride quality being the biggest factors). I have driven the Gen 1.

I have driven a Gen 2 R1S and feel they updated the suspension to the point I would own one. I have not driven a Gen 2 R1T.

Desired spec in either: Forest Green or Limestone (LA Silver being 3rd choice), Dual Max, 22" Range wheels, Premium Audio

I am leaning toward purchasing or financing and I am a November 2021 pre-order holder with a full voucher. I may (not treating it like a certain) be able to get the $7,500 federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return. I did sign the binding contract.

Pros and Cons:
(this is all subjective to my specific use case, thoughts, and worries - looking for real opinions from other owners)

R1S pros:
- can haul 6 people, which I do occasionally - a few road trips a year
- more secured storage due to the nature of it being a SUV - I routinely haul kids and bikes and golf clubs (I already have a hitch mount bike rack and a rooftop cargo box)
- 2.99% financing
- my desired config is available in the shop right now!

R1S cons:
- complaints about sound system and HVAC (I think this is a bit related to the truck vs. SUV nature of the systems, the HVAC has to work harder to cool the interior volume of the R1S)
- the 3rd row feels claustrophobic compared to my CX-9 with the captain's chairs

R1T pros:
- more towing capacity
- better ride than the R1S (not sure if this will apply to Gen 2)
- coolness factor
- expect the sounds system and HVAC operate better

R1T cons:
- lose the ability to carry a 6th person
- unknown status of powered tonneau cover
- higher financing rates
- desired config may not be likely to show up in the shop in time for me to use my voucher (have spoken to several guides on this) - LA Silver is a fallback

Happy for your opinions!

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[Scoiatael]

Having owned an R1T, and now waiting for my R1S, I say it really depends on your situation. The R1T can realistically haul 5 people, but only if its either 3 children in the back, or 1 child in a booster seat and 2 adults in the back. The rear seat is not very wide. This is why I'm getting an R1S. My daughter can sit comfortably in the 3rd row in her booster seat, my son can sit in his car seat in the 2nd row, and there is room for 3 other adults(including the driver). Middle seat in the 2nd row would still be pretty unusable.

R1T will have a lot more storage room. Once tonneau covers are installed again, you'll have a decent sized bed, the gear tunnel, and the frunk. When the R1S has all 3 rows occupied, you really just have a small trunk and the frunk. So its really a balancing act of if you want more storage or more room for people.

My plan right now is to lease the R1S for 3 years, and probably get another R1T after that. By then my son will be older and in a forward facing seat or maybe even a booster seat, and the rear seat of the R1T will be a lot more usable for me.

 

[Jard]

Thanks for that!

My kids are 12 and 10 (so, out of car seats) and my partner's kids are 17 and 15. Both adults and the kids are tall, so leg room is a priority.

 

[NY_Rob]

If you regularly transport 6 people, then that should rule out the T. But, seeing you have a 17yo, they may not go on many trips with you in the near future so maybe only 5 people regularly?

One thing I can say for the T, there is storage everywhere on this vehicle! I use the Frunk first, overflow goes in the Gear tunnel, if I still need more space... the bed!

 

[portdirect]

As someone who owns both - the kid factor is real. @Scoiatael sums things up very well. If I had to choose between them, I'd likely get the S. Every time I *need* a truck, frankly a beat up cheap one is probably a better proposition than the T - I just can't bring myself to dump a half tonne of gravel in the T's bed from a skid loader....

 

[Jard]

R1T will have a lot more storage room. Once tonneau covers are installed again, you'll have a decent sized bed, the gear tunnel, and the frunk. When the R1S has all 3 rows occupied, you really just have a small trunk and the frunk. So its really a balancing act of if you want more storage or more room for people.

Coming from the CX-9, I would be gaining the big frunk and I know the area behind the 3rd row is slightly larger in the R1S. This is also the reason I bought a cargo box (Thule Motion XL) so I'll still have that available.

 

[msundar]

I have been agonizing over this for weeks now!

I am replacing a 2021 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring with captain's chairs in the 2nd row. I often said if someone would make a fully electric version of that car, I would buy it in a moment. I want the R1S to be that car, and I feel like it's close, but not quite...

That leads me to the R1T. It's just cooler and the Gen 1 seemed to be much better than the Gen 1 R1S (suspension and ride quality being the biggest factors). I have driven the Gen 1.

I have driven a Gen 2 R1S and feel they updated the suspension to the point I would own one. I have not driven a Gen 2 R1T.

Desired spec in either: Forest Green or Limestone (LA Silver being 3rd choice), Dual Max, 22" Range wheels, Premium Audio

I am leaning toward purchasing or financing and I am a November 2021 pre-order holder with a full voucher. I may (not treating it like a certain) be able to get the $7,500 federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return. I did sign the binding contract.

Pros and Cons:
(this is all subjective to my specific use case, thoughts, and worries - looking for real opinions from other owners)

R1S pros:
- can haul 6 people, which I do occasionally - a few road trips a year
- more secured storage due to the nature of it being a SUV - I routinely haul kids and bikes and golf clubs (I already have a hitch mount bike rack and a rooftop cargo box)
- 2.99% financing
- my desired config is available in the shop right now!

R1S cons:
- complaints about sound system and HVAC (I think this is a bit related to the truck vs. SUV nature of the systems, the HVAC has to work harder to cool the interior volume of the R1S)
- the 3rd row feels claustrophobic compared to my CX-9 with the captain's chairs

R1T pros:
- more towing capacity
- better ride than the R1S (not sure if this will apply to Gen 2)
- coolness factor
- expect the sounds system and HVAC operate better

R1T cons:
- lose the ability to carry a 6th person
- unknown status of powered tonneau cover
- higher financing rates
- desired config may not be likely to show up in the shop in time for me to use my voucher (have spoken to several guides on this) - LA Silver is a fallback

Happy for your opinions!

Hi , I decided to go with R1S for my needs - I see you have mentioned you will be able to get Tax rebate by amending 2022 returns , my understanding is you can either use only 2023 or 2024 returns if delivery is in 2024, pls clarify .

 

[jjswan33]

Option for a Full Size spare in the R1T is also a factor to consider.

 

[Cascadian]

I was worried how comfortable 7 would be in my S but everyone fit without compromising. 4 of us were 6 footers.

Only way to be sure is get your family in one to try it out.

Be aware that middle row does not remember position after moving for 3rd row access.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

R1T is a lower price point. T is 5 passengers (4 comfortably on long trips). R1S can carry up to 7 (6 comfortably).

If I didn't need the extra passenger capacity I would go with T because it costs less, can tow more, and is slightly more efficient than R1S. The truck bed comes in handy!

 

[MidnightRivian]

I am biased for sure.

R1S as a people hauler or to have your pet in the back with your family with you also.

 

[SwampNut]

I traded a Tesla for the R1T because I needed a truck. I definitely would recommend Tesla over Rivian if you don't need a truck, and agree on your cons for the R1S. If you consider the sixth person a make or break situation, then what do you do? Rent something?

 

[FrankieJ]

I traded a Tesla for the R1T because I needed a truck. I definitely would recommend Tesla over Rivian if you don't need a truck, and agree on your cons for the R1S. If you consider the sixth person a make or break situation, then what do you do? Rent something?

When you say if you don’t need a truck go with a Tesla can you be more specific. I have experience with both Teslas and the Rivian R1T which I have owned since 3/22. If you want to save money by all means consider the Model Y unless you can wait for the R2 which I predict will be a far superior vehicle in just about every way. Based on overall performance and build quality there is no comparison IMO between the Model Y, X and the R1S or R1T. For what’s its worth I have no interest in self driving capabilities which Tesla has over promised and under delivered. Call me a fanboy if you like but just about every expert that has reviewed the R1S and R1T agree with me.

 

[SwampNut]

When you say if you don’t need a truck go with a Tesla can you be more specific.

Sure. Pretty much everything about owning it is a better experience. Charging options, Autopilot, overall software maturity, nearly everything. Giving up AP really sucked, a lot. Only being able to use certain chargers has impacted us very directly on trips. AP is ultra reliable and just saves so much energy and driving annoyance. Driver+ is pretty lame.

 

[Supratachophobia]

I have been agonizing over this for weeks now!

I am replacing a 2021 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring with captain's chairs in the 2nd row. I often said if someone would make a fully electric version of that car, I would buy it in a moment. I want the R1S to be that car, and I feel like it's close, but not quite...

That leads me to the R1T. It's just cooler and the Gen 1 seemed to be much better than the Gen 1 R1S (suspension and ride quality being the biggest factors). I have driven the Gen 1.

I have driven a Gen 2 R1S and feel they updated the suspension to the point I would own one. I have not driven a Gen 2 R1T.

Desired spec in either: Forest Green or Limestone (LA Silver being 3rd choice), Dual Max, 22" Range wheels, Premium Audio

I am leaning toward purchasing or financing and I am a November 2021 pre-order holder with a full voucher. I may (not treating it like a certain) be able to get the $7,500 federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return. I did sign the binding contract.

Pros and Cons:
(this is all subjective to my specific use case, thoughts, and worries - looking for real opinions from other owners)

R1S pros:
- can haul 6 people, which I do occasionally - a few road trips a year
- more secured storage due to the nature of it being a SUV - I routinely haul kids and bikes and golf clubs (I already have a hitch mount bike rack and a rooftop cargo box)
- 2.99% financing
- my desired config is available in the shop right now!

R1S cons:
- complaints about sound system and HVAC (I think this is a bit related to the truck vs. SUV nature of the systems, the HVAC has to work harder to cool the interior volume of the R1S)
- the 3rd row feels claustrophobic compared to my CX-9 with the captain's chairs

R1T pros:
- more towing capacity
- better ride than the R1S (not sure if this will apply to Gen 2)
- coolness factor
- expect the sounds system and HVAC operate better

R1T cons:
- lose the ability to carry a 6th person
- unknown status of powered tonneau cover
- higher financing rates
- desired config may not be likely to show up in the shop in time for me to use my voucher (have spoken to several guides on this) - LA Silver is a fallback

Happy for your opinions!

Hey buddy, I'll help you out. It's easy....

People or Plywood

Which will you carry more often?

Done.

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