My first review: traded in Tesla Model X P100D for 2025 R1S Tri Motor

[LR4toR1S]

As someone with a R1S for 2.5 years, I'm still in love with it and hoping you will be 2.5 years from now.

Do the seats break in further? I got used to my Mach-E and my LR4. These seats are really stiff.

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[kanundrum]

Do the seats break in further? I got used to my Mach-E and my LR4. These seats are really stiff.

Yeap they do, tho my bolstering seems to be failing on drivers left from ingress and egress of a chunky man ?

 

[ThirteenElectrics]

As someone who had two Xs and a 3, you made a great decision and will continue to be pleased. For the most part, a Rivian is light years better than a Tesla, and roughly as reliable (which isn't saying that much, unfortunately). Music quality is worse, and there's no gigantic HEPA filter. Those are the biggest gaps with Tesla in my view. However, it's worth it to drive a car that's not designed by someone who is mentally unstable--always a win! The interior is much better and you're no longer supporting a Nazi.

Both companies sell pollution credits, so you're not doing much to save the environment by buying one over buying any random ICE.

 

[Zorg]

Both companies sell pollution credits, so you're not doing much to save the environment by buying one over buying any random ICE.

How do you figure?

 

[fxstein]

TL,DR: Very happy with the switch, and a weird transition after being a Tesla family for so long.

Longer: Wow. I've been a Tesla fan for 5+ years now. We've bought four of them and have three Tesla chargers at our house. Got the 2025 R1S storm blue with slate/walnut interior, darkout everything, and 22" dark wheels. It's been about two weeks. Grudgingly pulled the trigger after wandering into the SF showroom a few weeks ago.

Overall, stunned by the experience. Very happy with the switch. You all know why.

That said, what would I change? A little rough without Google Maps or CarPlay. Yes, you can work around it. But it requires some behavior change, and we're definitely leaving convenience on the table.

The driving experience is amazing. The lane-assist "self driving" is better than Tesla but only works on highways. That's probably fine. It sits up high, the lumbar support is great, and it hits speed bumps in stride that my Tesla X would need to nearly come to a stop for. With the regen braking on standard, it's basically one-pedal driving. Getting compliments on it when we park. It's not a sexy body design, but the driving experience is the best I've had.

Bought some aftermarket products, including the fob (useless), a center organizer, a locking drawer for the camp speaker slot, a mag-safe phone holder from TWRAPS, and yellow covers for the front tow brackets.

Can't yet figure out the temperature controls consistently, and the Tesla climate controls are better. Using Alexa in the car causes the volume to crank up afterwards. And, surprisingly, there is no auto-parking feature.

We had to buy an AC adapter for our home high-speed Tesla charger ($150) and also get the NASC adapter for the Tesla superchargers (included from Rivian).

But, overall, we are very happy to join the Rivian family and no looking back on Tesla at this point. If they both cost the same, the Rivian is a no-brainer. More details if you like, but the bottom line is that Rivian kicks ass over the Tesla experience. Looking forward to more software upgrades.

Very similar experience after 10 years and 6 Teslas. 2x Model S, 2x Model X und 2x Model Y. Purchased FSD or its earlier equivalent on the first 4 then gave up. Was just a waste of money for features that never came during the life of these leases. Tried FSD last in November and while it has come a long way it still makes way too many mistakes that would cost any beginner driver their license. Even here in Menlo Park and Palo Alto where Waymo’s drive up and down all the difficult backroads.
Anyway love my Rivian. My only gripe is with the long wait for service. Had mine in the shop twice for minor things but it’s by default a 3 months wait for an appointment. If you call and text they might be able to slide you in earlier, but just not good. Never ever had any car I could not get serviced within a week. Makes planning for larger trips really hard.
Waiting for an appointment to get the air ride serviced right now and had to move an international trip with the car by 1-2 months because we could not get an earlier appointment.
Love the car. Can’t wait to take it with us to Europe once the warranty fix has been done for the airride.

 

[PowerBugs]

TL,DR: Very happy with the switch, and a weird transition after being a Tesla family for so long.

Longer: Wow. I've been a Tesla fan for 5+ years now. We've bought four of them and have three Tesla chargers at our house. Got the 2025 R1S storm blue with slate/walnut interior, darkout everything, and 22" dark wheels. It's been about two weeks. Grudgingly pulled the trigger after wandering into the SF showroom a few weeks ago.

Overall, stunned by the experience. Very happy with the switch. You all know why.

That said, what would I change? A little rough without Google Maps or CarPlay. Yes, you can work around it. But it requires some behavior change, and we're definitely leaving convenience on the table.

The driving experience is amazing. The lane-assist "self driving" is better than Tesla but only works on highways. That's probably fine. It sits up high, the lumbar support is great, and it hits speed bumps in stride that my Tesla X would need to nearly come to a stop for. With the regen braking on standard, it's basically one-pedal driving. Getting compliments on it when we park. It's not a sexy body design, but the driving experience is the best I've had.

Bought some aftermarket products, including the fob (useless), a center organizer, a locking drawer for the camp speaker slot, a mag-safe phone holder from TWRAPS, and yellow covers for the front tow brackets.

Can't yet figure out the temperature controls consistently, and the Tesla climate controls are better. Using Alexa in the car causes the volume to crank up afterwards. And, surprisingly, there is no auto-parking feature.

We had to buy an AC adapter for our home high-speed Tesla charger ($150) and also get the NASC adapter for the Tesla superchargers (included from Rivian).

But, overall, we are very happy to join the Rivian family and no looking back on Tesla at this point. If they both cost the same, the Rivian is a no-brainer. More details if you like, but the bottom line is that Rivian kicks ass over the Tesla experience. Looking forward to more software upgrades.

Bookmarking this for people I know who are in search for a new vehicle, electric or not.

 

[Eric_partman]

Came from a Y (two cars ago). Now have an R1T. I like almost everything about the R1T better, but am I the only one that thinks the “highway self driving” (or whatever it’s called) isn’t very good? I felt my Y’s was way better and even my wife’s Toyota’s is better.

 

[Zorg]

Came from a Y (two cars ago). Now have an R1T. I like almost everything about the R1T better, but am I the only one that thinks the “highway self driving” (or whatever it’s called) isn’t very good? I felt my Y’s was way better and even my wife’s Toyota’s is better.

Driver+, Gen1 ADAS sucks. It's fine on straight freeways, but is not very good in turns (slows down too much and does not turn enough)

 

[HaveBlue]

I’m about 5000 miles into my Rivian journey. The sounds this suspension makes just driving it in my residential neighborhood is depressing. Almost as depressing as the audio lol. Our Model Y? 13k in and quiet as a button. I’m done making the Tesla/rivian comparisons on this forum well because it’s fanboy city in here. Both are great for different reasons. I don’t make buying decisions based on CEOs, so I’ll continue to enjoy both

Do you have the Gen 2 or the Gen 1 with the old jounce lines?

 

[PaythePiper]

Do you have the Gen 2 or the Gen 1 with the old jounce lines?

Gen 2.

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