Munro deep dive: Gen2 R1S interior cost cutting without sacrificing quality and design features

[jebinc]

Yep. It’s cheap-ening 2nd generation. Replacing the door handle with a button/switch (similar to Tesla) really feels cheap.

That's because it is! I have an 99xx vin R1T that is built like a brick shite house. I will be keeping it for a long long time.

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[norivian]

The thing that irks me with these interior videos is that is where the customer spends 99% of their time when they're with their vehicle. He's pointed out maybe $2k worth of savings altogether. So, $2k worth of cost savings to give your $100k the look of a rental GM vehicle. The interior is not where you need to do a cost savings exercise when you're in this price bracket. I get it, pennies make dollars but you do this when you're designing an entry level base model. You cost save your premium vehicles in areas that are not perceptible to the customer.

I am with you. As consumers, we like to get more for what we’re paying for… that’s why we like Rivian because we see and “feel” more value than what we paid.

I get it. Rivian has to design and manufacture more efficiently, and that’s how and where they should try to make profit and earn more business not by making the vehicle feel cheap. Where is the consumer value there.

If Rivian starts to “feel” more and more like a Tesla, I might as well buy a Tesla… for far better navigation system and the charging network.

 

[CrazyOne]

Yep. It’s cheap-ening 2nd generation. Replacing the door handle with a button/switch (similar to Tesla) really feels cheap.

Worst part is, it probably costs more and is certainly less reliable.

 

[Electron]

I wonder what changes they made to the "leather". He pushed on the old leather and it wrinkled a little. The new "leather" stays smooth. I wonder which one will wear better.

I was curious about this as well. It would be assumed that the material in the Gen 2 would be technically "cheaper" in quality due to cost cutting?

It'd be very interesting to see a long term review, side by side against a Gen 1.

I still think that the 23' and 24' were overall the best built (aside to the newer tech in the Gen 2), but from a build perspective. Rivian fixed the front overlap crash test area from 22' to 23', and even from little things like the 12v outlets removed in the 24' was it? So overall could the 23' be the the sweet spot year? Subjective of course.

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[R1Tom]

That's because it is! I have an 99xx vin R1T that is built like a brick shite house. I will be keeping it for a long long time.

My 3xxx too is built like a brick shite house and I absolutely love Meridian audio. Keeping this thing for the long haul. Noway I am giving it to someone for sub $60k.....

 

[iansriv]

That's because it is! I have an 99xx vin R1T that is built like a brick shite house. I will be keeping it for a long long time.

Love the fact that your R1 is doing great. I have to ask how you know what a "brick shite house" is? j/k

 

[SeaGeo]

Really? Didn’t expect that

No. The average person won't notice the difference other than push button vs pull handle to open the door.

Interesting take.

It’s very subjective but my experience is different. I have a Gen2 and it seems like an amazing interior to me. I test drove a Gen1 twice and sat in the Gen1 several times (during my long wait for delivery) and I never noticed anything different about the Gen2 interior–except the doors. I like the push button in the Gen2, perhaps just for the novelty of it all. That was a cool surprise. Nothing feels cheap to me.

A great benefit of any cost cutting Rivian achieves (especially if they maintain the quality level) is that the company will be more likely to survive and be there for all of us in the future.

Exactly. I own both a Gen1 and Gen2. You and 98% of people wouldn't pick out the differences other than the internal door handle has a slightly different texture. Not worse, different. And obviously the push button.

 

[bdwalters]

I love the push button. The old door handle was awkward to reach. My BIL just got a Gen 2. The interior quality seems nearly identical to my Gen 1. I can’t perceive a cheapening.

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