Tesla to Rivian?

[Prime]

Hello!
I’m an EV owner since 2016, on my third Tesla (a Model X Plaid) and now thinking of switching to the R1S. The switch is primarily driven by the early Rivian reservation (pricing voucher), current leasing deals and my move from Canada to the US.

I’m looking for some feedback on Rivian and charging experience specially is Southeastern US (GA/NC/FL).

- How is the ownership experience in terms of build quality, service and repair times (Tesla being below average)

- Charging times and efficiency (Large pack)- I hear in reviews the stated range is the actual range, is it true? Specially on Interstate driving (75-80 mph). How much time does it take to charge a Large pack from 10% to 80% or 90% on a Rivian DC Charger, also any charging tests on a Tesla Supercharger?

- Could I do 600 miles with one stop, driving at 75mph? Leaving at 100% from home and charging on the road to 90% (Large pack rated at 352 miles)

- Quad vs Dual, are there any difference in service/maintenance or features? A dual motor performance suits my needs, but Quad motor leasing deals look better. I know i’ll lose 30 miles of range and I’m not interested in performance gains.

To respond to these concerns:
-How is the ownership experience in terms of build quality, service and repair times (Tesla being below average)

My personal experience has not been great, I have had 7 service center visits in 1 year of ownership, most of the time fixing things that were not addressed at the previous service or issues that arose from the previous service. Service appointments are generally many months out and I get a feeling the service techs are not the best trained (in our area). Tesla service in our experience in southern california has been much much better. That said, *customer service, as in the respectfulness of employees of Rivian and being willing to listen and evaluate issues has been very good overall.

I have an early 2023 build, im guessing newer builds are faring better. Also at this point if I were in your shoes, I would wait and see what the post April refresh will look like with the new premium trim option, maybe a better audio system etc.

- Could I do 600 miles with one stop, driving at 75mph? Leaving at 100% from home and charging on the road to 90% (Large pack rated at 352 miles)

In conserve mode (quad motor) my truck would make 250-260 miles strictly highway at 75mph, I have the AT tires though. With regular AS tires and dual motor large pack I would imagine 600 miles and 2 stops is doable.

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[Dirtman16]

I'll add my two cents in italics/bold below.

Hello!
I’m an EV owner since 2016, on my third Tesla (a Model X Plaid) and now thinking of switching to the R1S. The switch is primarily driven by the early Rivian reservation (pricing voucher), current leasing deals and my move from Canada to the US.

I’m looking for some feedback on Rivian and charging experience specially is Southeastern US (GA/NC/FL). I don't think you'll have any significant problems in these states unless you're going way off the beaten path, particularly with Tesla opening up to Rivian vehicles now. Just don't go to Mississippi (where most of the Tesla stations are still V2).

- How is the ownership experience in terms of build quality, service and repair times (Tesla being below average) We have had some issues with our 2023 R1S, but the Franklin, TN service center has been easy to work with, and we've paid nothing for repairs. I would say similarly inconvenient to Tesla, but the actual level of service is better.

- Charging times and efficiency (Large pack)- I hear in reviews the stated range is the actual range, is it true? Specially on Interstate driving (75-80 mph). How much time does it take to charge a Large pack from 10% to 80% or 90% on a Rivian DC Charger, also any charging tests on a Tesla Supercharger? As others have said, it will take longer than in a Tesla due to less efficient drivetrain. Our typical stop in the R1S is 25-35 minutes. The range estimates are definitely closer to reality than Tesla, and the trip planner itself (estimate range at arrival when navigating) tends to skew pretty conservatively.

- Could I do 600 miles with one stop, driving at 75mph? Leaving at 100% from home and charging on the road to 90% (Large pack rated at 352 miles) Unlikely. On the 21 inch wheels, 250-275 miles is realistic, depending on the weather. I would count on 2 stops, though they could be shorter ones if you can arrive near dead at the end. I find charging to 60-70% and moving on to be the fastest way to travel.

- Quad vs Dual, are there any difference in service/maintenance or features? A dual motor performance suits my needs, but Quad motor leasing deals look better. I know i’ll lose 30 miles of range and I’m not interested in performance gains. I have not driven a dual motor, though I hear it's a bit quieter than the quad setup. I don't mind the noise of the quad motors though. They are more noticeable than a Tesla but not annoying.

 

[kunwers]

I recently got my R1S coming from a '21 MYP and a '17 MS 90D before that. I miss very little about the Tesla's because I road trip a lot. You gotta know your reasons because the R1S is very different than an X. The R1S is a truck whereas the X is more like a car.

The Large pack is 135 kWh and the Max pack is 149 kWh. The X has ~ 95 kWh pack.

On one hand, the X (any Tesla) has the more efficient drive train (by far), which is one factor that allows it to charge quickly. There is "less battery" to fill up when charging. On the other hand, the more efficient the vehicle the more external factors will affect its range (speed, temp, wind, elevation). As you probably know, road tripping in a Tesla can be miserable when you're stuck going 55mph because external factors are making your planned range keep dropping and dropping.

On a really bad day (cold, windy, net elevation climb), I average ~ 2mi/kwh meaning that my Max pack will go ~ 300 miles. But the nav estimate from the start is dead on. And I can do that going 80 mph. On a good day, I average ~ 2.6mi/kwh meaning that my Max pack will go ~ 387 miles. Again, the nav estimate from the start is dead on and I can go 80 mph no problem. Since the R1S is much less efficient, driving fast is not nearly the "hit" as it is in a Tesla. If I slow down and go ~ 65 mph (boring), I can even get ~ 3mi/kwh in warmer weather.

Charging the R1S can take longer because you're filling up a much bigger bucket. However, IMO this detail is for nerds. Especially as a '17 MS 90D owner long ago, the R1S (and current Tesla's) still charges fast enough to be done by the time I've finished using the restroom, getting a snack, and stretching my legs.

I find the Rivian range superior and it was a major reason for my purchase. Tesla could and should use bigger packs IMO (I understand why they don't).

Whether you could do 600 miles in one stop depends. The best scenario would be starting at 100% and your charge stop is near 10%. In a Max pack, your charge location would need to be around 270 to 335 miles from your origin (depending your efficiency). In a Large pack, your charge location would need to be around to 243 to 303 miles from your origin (depending on your efficiency). Then, charging to 90% as you can see you would only be able to make it in warm weather (and with the Large pack you'd be arriving on "fumes", which means no room for construction detours, etc). And, you're probably not going to have a charging location perfectly located at that 10% state of charge distance. Thus, you're probably going to be better off (and wayyyy less stressed) making 2 quicker charge stops (charging to 90% in any EV is going to be slowwww). And, aren't you go to need to stop more than once on an 8 to 12 hour trip anyways?

As you can see from this, you're still better off regarding range and stops in the R1S than you are in the X (if cold and going 75-85 mph).

I find the Rivian build quality and service team to be similar to Tesla. That is to say, my front drive unit had to be replaced and it took 1.5 weeks. I find the Rivian vehicle construction quality to be superior to Tesla. My Tesla interiors were the squeakiest, most hard plastic, disappointing interiors ever. The Rivian vehicle is well constructed.

Both Rivian and Tesla are the best. The R1S and X are both great. I'd find a way to test drive a R1S. As I said, it's a truck.

Thanks for the detailed response and viable insights.

 

[riviantrent]

I live in GA and I had a M3P and my wife still has her MYP ( although we plan on selling it when the R2 comes out ) .. I haven’t had the confidence in road tripping in the south east .. just mostly because I’m use to Tesla and super charging. I did take couple of trips to Tenn and had no problems .. although not as many options as Tesla. Soon with the adapter, I will not be nervous. But I have NO regrets going to the R1T all terrain pack. I love the air ride, the look, the feel .. I just really enjoy my truck all the way around and it’s nearly been a year .. and I still love it just as I did day 1. I have only had to go to service center 1 time and that was for a recall. My battery coolant or whatever it was “might” have been over filled and causes slower charging or caused AC to not blow cold on hot days I think it was .. none the less I had no issues with charging or the AC. But did the recall anyway I think I was in and out in less than an hour. Yes the tech in tesla is currently better, but I feel the look, ride .. and everything else with the R1T .. more than makes up for the lacking entertainment / FSD .. I’ll pick my rivian first everyday over my other rides I have …

 

[suyoungman]

Comparing my wife's 2023 X to my 2024 R1S, main differences I've noticed are efficiency (Tesla wins), roominess(R1S *with auto frunk!!), utility (R1S), UI (Tesla is years ahead) and driving dynamics (Tesla). I went with the Rivian as their current lease offering is unbeatable when comparing with other EV SUV's. And in 3 years after the lease, the market will have an abundance of competition(with advanced battery tech) to choose from. Tesla no longer has the same advantage as before, since Rivian now has access to many of their superchargers.

 

[zymolysis]

The Large pack is 135 kWh and the Max pack is 149 kWh. The X has ~ 95 kWh pack.

The Large pack is 131 kWh usable; the Max pack is 141 kWh usable.
https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-usable-kwh-capacity-of-your-battery-packs

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