So hard R1T or R1S?

[vanfelt]

man, Rivian makes it hard! I like features of both models, hard to choose.
I like the T for hauling gear, stuff, but like the optional 3 rd row of seats and fully enclosed SUV.

Leaning toward the T (what i reserved initially) as carrying 7 people will not happen often, and putting bike on top of the S (and getting down) will be a pain in the butt. I have a rear mounted rack now on my Audi, but hate that I have to lower it, or remove the bikes first to get into the rear. Not sure if i am missing something, but think the T cheeks a lot more boxes for most adventurers who are cool with a 5 person option.

Sponsored

 

[OverZealous]

Not that this helps narrow it down, but:

• The T is also quite a bit longer, if that matters.
• The T will likely arrive sooner.
• The T includes the gear-guard cable and the gear tunnel.
• The T has a full-size spare, while the S has a "compact" spare that inflates to full size (but probably is not as good as a full-size spare).
• There's a good chance the S is not wide enough between the wheel wells for a sheet of plywood (if that matters to you). The information given has been ambiguous so far.
• The S has slightly longer range
• And yet, there has been no Max-pack option for the S yet.

I originally only preordered an R1T (Max pack), because I don't often need the extra seats, and I really need something that can haul lumber around on weekends. Then the max pack delivery information came out (I was given a vague "2nd half of 2023"), and I got worried about price increases and tax rebates. I dropped down to the large pack, but I don't have a delivery date yet.

But what I realized is, the truck isn't as practical for long trips, anyway. So, in a fit of insanity, I preordered a second vehicle, this time an R1S, with the hope they'd release the max pack for the R1S by the time that order comes up. Then we'd have a truck for work-stuff (with off-road tires), and an SUV for everything else (with street tires for extra range).

That all being said, it's a stupid amount of money. But my Model S is getting long in the tooth, so it's possible by the time the R1S comes up, it'll be the right time to swap it out.

 

[Max]

I opted for R1S 5 seater but have not stopped thinking about R1T.

For me the main difference was:

R1T has full size spare and it is convenient to throw stuff in the back (smaller back than I would like). The 4‘ width in the bed is important but I think I can rig something up in R1S for occasional plywood transport. I probably won’t need the additional towing capacity in R1T.

R1S is shorter and easier to park, has consolidated enclosed space that I would use more frequently and more space between the roof racks for a more stable kayak transport. In my opinion, it looks better too. I could sleep in it. And if I miss the truck, I will just get a trailer.

I take the front wheels off the bikes and put them inside. I don’t have to worry about rain or thieves and it is fairly quick. but there are other options:

 

[COdogman]

I officially became a ‘truck guy’ after years of doing ‘truck things’ with SUVs. I decided I was tired of cursing while cleaning out the inside after every ‘truck thing’ I did with the SUVs. I tried every possible arrangement of cargo liners and I still ended up with scrapes and scratches and stains and dust inside. Bottom line - there is no true substitute for the utility of a truck bed *if* you do a lot of those ‘truck things’. The R1T should fit in most garages and it still seems to have plenty of space inside - although I don’t have a family to truck around every day, so I’m probably the last person who should comment on that.

Just pick whichever works best for you and your family!

 

[ads75]

I currently have a R1T on order, thought about switching to a R1S just because it will fit easier in a garage. But probably will stick with the R1T.

 

[moosehead]

Not that this helps narrow it down, but:

• The T is also quite a bit longer, if that matters.
• The T will likely arrive sooner.
• The T includes the gear-guard cable and the gear tunnel.
• The T has a full-size spare, while the S has a "compact" spare that inflates to full size (but probably is not as good as a full-size spare).
• There's a good chance the S is not wide enough between the wheel wells for a sheet of plywood (if that matters to you). The information given has been ambiguous so far.
• The S has slightly longer range
• And yet, there has been no Max-pack option for the S yet.

I originally only preordered an R1T (Max pack), because I don't often need the extra seats, and I really need something that can haul lumber around on weekends. Then the max pack delivery information came out (I was given a vague "2nd half of 2023"), and I got worried about price increases and tax rebates. I dropped down to the large pack, but I don't have a delivery date yet.

But what I realized is, the truck isn't as practical for long trips, anyway. So, in a fit of insanity, I preordered a second vehicle, this time an R1S, with the hope they'd release the max pack for the R1S by the time that order comes up. Then we'd have a truck for work-stuff (with off-road tires), and an SUV for everything else (with street tires for extra range).

That all being said, it's a stupid amount of money. But my Model S is getting long in the tooth, so it's possible by the time the R1S comes up, it'll be the right time to swap it out.

That'll do it. Just get both.

Awe hell.

 

[Andystroh]

Agreed it's hard. For us it came down to what we cared about more, 7 seats or better gear storage? For now we sided on gear storage... Easier to carry bikes and skis on the R1T we are thinking, not sure a ski rack will fit in our garage on top of the R1S and I'd prefer bikes on the bed over the hitch. Also less interior to warm in the winter. Also no kids for now.

 

[OverZealous]

That'll do it. Just get both.

Awe hell.

I know, it's completely insane. We'll have to see how we feel about the R1T when (or if) we ever get it, and then could we even justify having two relatively new vehicles in this price range. I think getting the R1S depends on the Model S (2015) holding up or not as much as anything. I wish it was a better vehicle to own long term, but we're coming off the battery warranty next year, and I'm getting nervous given how many other things we've had to repair, and the cost associated with those repairs. We are finally getting a service center in Louisville, which will ease the pain of some of the repairs.

If the battery died, I'd much rather put that $20k toward a new vehicle, than propping up this car.

What I would have really preferred is to get a new Model S, but they've gone and screwed up the company & vehicles so much, I really doubt I'll ever get another Tesla. Certainly not with a yoke and no control stalks. (Also, the new UI is apparently pretty bad. I know they are rolling back some of the changes, but there is no excuse in them making those changes in the first place, IMO.)

 

[moosehead]

Agreed it's hard. For us it came down to what we cared about more, 7 seats or better gear storage? For now we sided on gear storage... Easier to carry bikes and skis on the R1T we are thinking, not sure a ski rack will fit in our garage on top of the R1S and I'd prefer bikes on the bed over the hitch. Also less interior to warm in the winter. Also no kids for now.

By the time either Rivian arrives, you'll have 6 kids but no grandchildren.

 

[ironpig]

I officially became a ‘truck guy’ after years of doing ‘truck things’ with SUVs. I decided I was tired of cursing while cleaning out the inside after every ‘truck thing’ I did with the SUVs. I tried every possible arrangement of cargo liners and I still ended up with scrapes and scratches and stains and dust inside. Bottom line - there is no true substitute for the utility of a truck bed *if* you do a lot of those ‘truck things’. The R1T should fit in most garages and it still seems to have plenty of space inside - although I don’t have a family to truck around every day, so I’m probably the last person who should comment on that.

Just pick whichever works best for you and your family!

same. When I was younger my SUV was fine because all my activities were recreational (snowboarding, biking, road trips etc) but now I use it for picking up mulch or soil, occasional hay for my horse and hauling trash out from my cabin where there is no pick up service. I value a truck bed where I can separate myself from whatever I’m hauling and our personal space.

ideally I’d like to add a truck cap to the R1T sometimes but that’s going to be a tricky issue with the placement of several controls on the bed rails. I think the after market will figure it out, but I bet a 2nd Gen R1T may find a way to move integral controls from the top of the bed rails which was a short sighted solution.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I have gone back and forth on this as well, changing my configuration several times.

I like the utility of the truck, the idea of getting it earlier, the fact that it's $3,000 less, and some of the cool extras (gear tunnel).

I like that the SUV has more capability to be a family car and would likely be better for road tripping/camping and can fit more people (grandparents). I've also traditionally been an SUV person my whole life. I also like what they've done with the split rear gate.

It honestly may come down to what happens with the Buzz. If the Buzz ends up being as expensive as rumored, I think I'll end up with the S as the family car. If the Buzz comes in around $50k as has been said before, I think the T is the way I'll go.

 

[vanfelt]

I opted for R1S 5 seater but have not stopped thinking about R1T.

For me the main difference was:

R1T has full size spare and it is convenient to throw stuff in the back (smaller back than I would like). The 4‘ width in the bed is important but I think I can rig something up in R1S for occasional plywood transport. I probably won’t need the additional towing capacity in R1T.

R1S is shorter and easier to park, has consolidated enclosed space that I would use more frequently and more space between the roof racks for a more stable kayak transport. In my opinion, it looks better too. I could sleep in it. And if I miss the truck, I will just get a trailer.

I take the front wheels off the bikes and put them inside. I don’t have to worry about rain or thieves and it is fairly quick. but there are other options:

i like that mount! I have a KUAT on my Audi that drops down...but i like that swing out option!

 

[vanfelt]

Not that this helps narrow it down, but:

• The T is also quite a bit longer, if that matters.
• The T will likely arrive sooner.
• The T includes the gear-guard cable and the gear tunnel.
• The T has a full-size spare, while the S has a "compact" spare that inflates to full size (but probably is not as good as a full-size spare).
• There's a good chance the S is not wide enough between the wheel wells for a sheet of plywood (if that matters to you). The information given has been ambiguous so far.
• The S has slightly longer range
• And yet, there has been no Max-pack option for the S yet.

I originally only preordered an R1T (Max pack), because I don't often need the extra seats, and I really need something that can haul lumber around on weekends. Then the max pack delivery information came out (I was given a vague "2nd half of 2023"), and I got worried about price increases and tax rebates. I dropped down to the large pack, but I don't have a delivery date yet.

But what I realized is, the truck isn't as practical for long trips, anyway. So, in a fit of insanity, I preordered a second vehicle, this time an R1S, with the hope they'd release the max pack for the R1S by the time that order comes up. Then we'd have a truck for work-stuff (with off-road tires), and an SUV for everything else (with street tires for extra range).

That all being said, it's a stupid amount of money. But my Model S is getting long in the tooth, so it's possible by the time the R1S comes up, it'll be the right time to swap it out.

Yeah, i get the stupid amount of money, but even the Ford Lightening, with similiar range is $90k. insane

 

[vanfelt]

That'll do it. Just get both.

Awe hell.

right....it is only money, right!

 

[Sully151]

I am in a similar boat. I originally ordered the R1S because I liked the idea of keeping my gear in an enclosed space when we go on trips.

Then, I realized the tonneau cover would be fine and wanted to be able to put bikes over the bed instead of a hitch rack. So I switched to the truck.

Now it sounds like my large Hard Tail and 56cm Gravel bike will be too long to fit on the over the bed racks. This means I will have to, either, put the bikes in the bed leaving no covered storage (aside for gear tunnel and drunk) or get a hitch rack.

There are a couple of times a year when I sleep in my Jeep which is a nice option with the R1S.

I will very rarely use the 7 seats, but it might be nice to be able to take one car with my parents and kids occasionally. That being said, my kids might not even fit in the third row. I won’t know until I see one.

I do like the fact that the S is a little shorter and may be easier to park at the school I teach at.

I do like the gear tunnel on the truck, but am worried the tonneau way have issues.

I guess I won’t really know until I see one and hopefully drive one.

Sponsored