Classic, when I test drove the Air they were keen to point out that the Mercedes S-Class was their competition rather than the Model S. I think this is reason why they haven’t done too well because it’s certainly not an S-Class for either the driver or passengers.
Took the words right out of my mouth, I kind of like Lucid, looks like they would be a comfy ride, especially for long-distance but there's no way I would want kids or pets in there without covering the entire interior in canvas.
I agree that car seat accommodation is one of Rivian's biggest misses. I'm still incredibly surprised that Rivian didn't integrate seatbelts directly into the R1S' second row seats to allow the seats to slide forward while car seats are strapped in. As it stands now, there is no practical way to access the third row with car seats installed in the second row. This is a deal breaker for some families.Funny, whether people like it or not a minivan shaped vehicle is the most practical vehicle on the road. Period. That whole soccer mom stigma you can thank chrAPysler and equally as crap ford for that.
The new Gravity will likely check way more boxes than the R1S and could end up being a far better family vehicle for most shopping in this price range.
The R1S isn't a good option for those with rear facing car seats. To be fair, it's not that type of car, or is it? If so, then that's a bigger shame on Rivian for not designing it properly. RJ even mentioned that having kids himself, that the cars were designed with that in mind to accommodate families, but you've got the R1S/T that are the absolute worst for rear facing car seats lol.
The Tesla Model X gives you better room up front with rear facing seats in the 2nd row and the KIA EV9 is the best for front passenger leg room in the same scenario. Could the new Gravity come on top for new families with rear facing car seats? We'll know soon enough.
At half the price range you've got the new KIA Carnival MPV (yea yea, minivan, but at least they're trying to kill that stigma and actually made it look like a SUV), as a great example of making a minivan look like a SUV, which is moving in the right direction.
Only thing that sucks is that it's not an EV, yet. Instead it comes in the 3.5l V6 and in a Hybrid Trim.
This is the previous body design, but I've always thought the roof pop up was neat. You have way more vertical room in a minivan than the R1S, let alone a traditional SUV that's very skinny in comparison.
Yup, and a reason why my wife hates it whenever she has to be between the kids in the back seat. Sitting between two car seats in second row is no fun. I don't know who came up with this grand idea in Rivian team.
Agreed a new term for SUV's is needed. It is not just wagons being called SUV's, it sedans and anything that rides high a SUV. BMW X6 SUV, GLE Coupe SUV, Rambo Urus SUV. Great example is the Porsche Cayenne GT Coupe SUV. I mean come on, consumers have to stop being so dumb and buying that has SUV in the name. I sat in the back of one and it is no different in terms of space to a Panamera. And yet, people still buy it over the Panamera...I guess they don't consider the worse driving dynamics, more gas and rubber with weight etc. They just want it because it's called a SUV.
Sadly it also helps manufacturers hit EPA targets because non-cars are held to a laxer standard. Plus for EVs the maximum qualifying price is higher.
