R1S interior size vs. other SUVs?

[SoCalTravels]

The R1S is definitely smaller inside than we were hoping for as well. 3rd row headroom is excellent but 2nd and 3rd row leg room are lacking and hip room is smaller than most 3 row crossovers on the market. We are moving over from a Toyota Highlander which is itself on the smaller side of 3 row crossovers. And the highlander felt more spacious inside. We will make it work, but would like many have preferred if Rivian had left the wheelbase of the R1T in the R1S for added interior room. (And from what we have been reading better handling).

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[Swilly]

Rivian is very tight inside for its exterior dimensions, which makes some sense given the beefy frame and offroad hardware. I can live with the compromised space efficiency, but they need to be realistic and make a long-wheelbase R1S to accommodate families who actually need to use the third row. The solution is simple - put the SUV body onto the 14 inch longer R1T chassis. Throw in captains chairs too. This also solves the handling woes of the short wheelbase R1S.

I feel like this exact paragraph needs to be pasted over and over on Rivian’s pages on the social media sites, until they see the light on this. I am going to compromise the space for everything else the R1S offers, but my family of 6+doggo would be much happier with an extended wheelbase model. R1SX has a nice ring to it.

 

[Count Orlok]

It feels smaller and less roomie in regards to rider comfort than our GLS.

 

[Shaqdeez]

I had really high hopes that this would be on the bigger side of the Midsize SUV category. I haven't been given an opportunity to sit in an R1S yet so I'm really liking these type of conversations. All of the reviews are sugar coating this topic of seating dimensions for the 2nd and 3rd row (especially 3rd row). Bit disappointed to say the least. I may have to consider the Kia EV9. I wonder how well they do it. I just want a MidSize SUV on the larger side of things that's an EV for a reasonable price. The R1S got 2 of those 3 right I think (price based on pre march pricing w/ teh Tax rebate).

 

[mkg3]

So after reading several reactions about the interior, I looked up the specs for the Telluride (I've never been inside of one) and made the image below for comparison sake (they are to the same scale).

What you'll notice is that the bodies of the two are essentially the same height (clearly R1S is longer) and the wheelbase of Telluride is 114.2" and R1S is 121.1", or longer by near 7".

The key thing here is that R1S rides on body-on-frame with skateboard battery farm, whereas Telluride is a unibody construction. The result is that the interior height of the R1S is probably shorter/shallower than the Telluride by few/several inches. This be enough to feel more cramped even if the width of the interior may be the same. Think of a house with high ceilings versus a low ceilings.

As for the legroom for the 2nd and the 3rd row, my sense is that when the 3rd row is up and the 2nd row is slid all the way back (leaving not much room in the 3rd row) its just fine. However, by folding the 3rd row seats down, the 2nd row cannot be slid back all the way and compromising the 2nd row legroom. Its due to the design of the 3rd row seatback and headrest, I believe.

Longer wheelbase may solve the legroom issue but so will redesign of the 3rd row seats (and be much more cost effective). Longer wheelbase will not solve the low ceiling height issue and may leave some people feeling cramped anyway...

 

[mkg3]

I completely disagree. You are making excuses for them and failing to see the business opportunity. You're overestimating how much it takes to produce the same chassis / body in different lengths. It would take relatively minimal capital and introduce minimal complexity - if they had properly planned for that. Moreover, they could get away with a significant uncharge for the larger model, likely anywhere between $5-8k per vehicle, which would dramatically increase margin on those models on a per unit basis.

Per your logic, they never should have made the R1S and R1T different lengths.

Do you know what is going to be a massive capital outlay? Designing and gearing up to manufacture the R2 models. My guess is they don't make it.

We agree to disagreee.

Making a longer wheelbase version of SUV is a distraction more than "business opportunity" at this point. Just as pausing JV with Daimler for eVan in EU.

 

[Tall_Rider]

So after reading several reactions about the interior, I looked up the specs for the Telluride (I've never been inside of one) and made the image below for comparison sake (they are to the same scale).

What you'll notice is that the bodies of the two are essentially the same height (clearly R1S is longer) and the wheelbase of Telluride is 114.2" and R1S is 121.1", or longer by near 7".

The key thing here is that R1S rides on body-on-frame with skateboard battery farm, whereas Telluride is a unibody construction. The result is that the interior height of the R1S is probably shorter/shallower than the Telluride by few/several inches. This be enough to feel more cramped even if the width of the interior may be the same. Think of a house with high ceilings versus a low ceilings.

As for the legroom for the 2nd and the 3rd row, my sense is that when the 3rd row is up and the 2nd row is slid all the way back (leaving not much room in the 3rd row) its just fine. However, by folding the 3rd row seats down, the 2nd row cannot be slid back all the way and compromising the 2nd row legroom. Its due to the design of the 3rd row seatback and headrest, I believe.

Longer wheelbase may solve the legroom issue but so will redesign of the 3rd row seats (and be much more cost effective). Longer wheelbase will not solve the low ceiling height issue and may leave some people feeling cramped anyway...

Even with the Rivian’s 2nd row all the way back, making the 3rd row unusable by anyone but amputees, it’s several inches short in room compared to a Telluride. Or Explorer / Aviator. Or Audi Q7 or Mercedes GLS. Meaning it’s just really small for a 200” vehicle. Maybe stop defending it.

 

[mkg3]

Even with the Rivian’s 2nd row all the way back, making the 3rd row unusable by anyone but amputees, it’s several inches short in room compared to a Telluride. Or Explorer / Aviator. Or Audi Q7 or Mercedes GLS. Meaning it’s just really small for a 200” vehicle. Maybe stop defending it.

Haha... Maybe you're needing to have the last word???

Not defending anything. This is just a conversation with a different perspective. Just don't buy the R1S and select something that you fit in and like.

No one is forcing you to settle for R1S that's too small for your need.

 

[windblowlc]

Even with the Rivian’s 2nd row all the way back, making the 3rd row unusable by anyone but amputees, it’s several inches short in room compared to a Telluride. Or Explorer / Aviator. Or Audi Q7 or Mercedes GLS. Meaning it’s just really small for a 200” vehicle. Maybe stop defending it.

I don't think @mkg3 is defending anything with the R1S interior space. We all have our needs. If you need bigger room, wait for the KIA EV9 that's comparable in size to the Telluride.

 

[MidnightRivian]

All the armchair analysts need to realize this is a start up company that plans to sell their initial vehicles outside the United States to survive.

Not everyone needs 4 lazy boy recliners and yacht club seating for 8 adults in their mall crawlers.

You might be able to get your dream Rivian in the future if they're able to make it past R2T / R2R / R2X.

 

[Tall_Rider]

All the armchair analysts need to realize this is a start up company that plans to sell their initial vehicles outside the United States to survive.

Not everyone needs 4 lazy boy recliners and yacht club seating for 8 adults in their mall crawlers.

You might be able to get your dream Rivian in the future if they're able to make it past R2T / R2R / R2X.

Nor am I trying to tell everyone to get a long wheelbase. I’m saying they have a long wheelbase chassis, it’s relatively easy to put an SUV body on it, and there’s a market that would pay a premium for that.

 

[iansriv]

I think the real competition for the R1S is the Land Rover Defender 110 and upmarket trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3-row. Maybe the Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus equivalent but last I checked the 3rd row was fold-down jump seats and the suspension tech was lacking. While I may be missing some true competitors, the Telluride doesn't seem like an apples-to-apples comparison to me.

I don't think any of us know with certainty what the future holds for Rivian. I'm critical enough of Rivian that I don't consider myself to be a fanboy and I always assumed that there was a possibility that the vehicle could be orphaned in the future so I'd be disappointed but I promise that I won't be crying if this comes to pass.

Funny you say that because I started by looking at a Defender first. Love the history and design but did not like the way it drove. I also looked at the G wagon with the hopes it will be EV (EQG) soon.. Wife loved it but I think it's not my "low-key" style. The R1S drives much better than most in this segment. Others have mentioned the extra framing. I found the doors to close very similar to the G wagon. Very impressive. I have to agree that the interior is a bit snug comparatively but it works for us.

We will continue to debate the future prospects of Rivian. I remember a few years ago when GM needed government intervention so anything is possible. I like Rivian for the product and philosophy but most of all I like Rivian because it's American.

 

[caliwagon]

We're in the same boat as others here... Keeping our reservation for now, but the interior of the R1S will probably be too tight for our family of 6. It's more difficult because we're tall--I'm 6' 4". We recently went from an XC90 to a VW Atlas and the extra space makes a big difference. It would be hard to go back.

I suspect we will end up in an EV9. I'm open to the EX90 but haven't seen much on 2nd and 3rd row space, not surprisingly.

 

[Count Orlok]

We're in the same boat as others here... Keeping our reservation for now, but the interior of the R1S will probably be too tight for our family of 6. It's more difficult because we're tall--I'm 6' 4". We recently went from an XC90 to a VW Atlas and the extra space makes a big difference. It would be hard to go back.

I suspect we will end up in an EV9. I'm open to the EX90 but haven't seen much on 2nd and 3rd row space, not surprisingly.

IMHO, based on a week of ownership, 6 people on a regular basis will be tight for long trips.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Nor am I trying to tell everyone to get a long wheelbase. I’m saying they have a long wheelbase chassis, it’s relatively easy to put an SUV body on it, and there’s a market that would pay a premium for that.

Trust me when I say the bean counters ran the numbers and realized demand for long wheelbase chassis is very low when the regular wheelbase is already $78,000 for the stripped down peasant model.

It relatively easy to do what you said above. Its not relatively cheap and the demand for that product at the price point Rivian would put out doesn't make sense to move forward with your wishes.

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