Why Did You Choose Rivian Over Competitors?

[Taco Corp]

I wanted something electric, didn't really love Tesla after driving Model 3 (really fun, like a go kart but to low to the ground) and Model Y (really liked it) I could have talked myself into the Y, but prefer to have more storage space and sit a bit higher off the road + covid shortages were driving prices through the roof and I liked the idea of something different. Just glad I didn't jump on Fiskar...

Sponsored

 

[ndmiller]

R1T.......Long wheelbase, ton's of space, over 300 mile range and obnoxious amount of HP/TQ. Been watching Rivian since Long Way up in 2020.

 

[CharonPDX]

Decision point number 1: I didn't want another ICE truck. Period. Whatever I was getting was going to be full EV.

Decision point number 2: It arrived first.

I had put in deposits/reservations/whatever for the Rivian, Cybertruck and F-150 Lightning before any of them were shipping. I figured I'd buy the first one to ship, use it until the second one arrived, then decide which to keep and which to sell.

Until mid 2021, the decision criteria between the three was:

• Rivian: "Lifestyle" luxury truck that can do everything I want acceptably, and it very nice; but expensive.
• F-150 Lightning: The "cheap" option. Was figuring I'd get a PRO Extended Range, and its cheapness compared to the Rivian would make it acceptable.
• Cybertruck: Butt-ugly, but hey, maybe its looks will get moderated before it actually releases. And its specs are incredible! Far longer range for the same price as Rivian (useful because we tow,) or still much better range for the same price as the Lightning!

The Rivian arrived first.

The Cybertruck became clear that it wasn't going to have the specs it was supposed to, would cost far more than anticipated, and still look like a dumpster. Combined with the company CEO's antics, it got ruled out well before shipments started, and I canceled my order and got a refund.

The Lightning *COULD* have been a reasonable option. But Ford screwed up. They made it so that individuals couldn't buy the PRO Extended Range, only the Standard Range. Then the XLT could only be upgraded to the Extended Range battery (for $10,000) if you also added a $10,000 option package - making the Extended battery cost $20,000 more than the base XLT. At that point, the Lariat was only a little more. Then they screwed over customers by raising the price and *NOT* grandfathering in existing order holders. On top of that, the Inflation Reduction Act's rules kicked in by the time Ford was going to let me actually place an order. Which meant that no Extended Range could be ordered for under the $80,000 price cap of the Inflation Reduction Act.

That meant the cheapest 300-mile Lightning would cost me more than $10,000 out-of-pocket more than I paid for my Rivian. For a vehicle that wasn't nearly as nice. That was just out of the question.

Of note - I placed my Lightning reservation during the launch event, within 30 minutes of reservations opening. I know people who put down reservations later than me, and got their trucks months before I was even given the opportunity to place my actual order. Because Ford's dealer-based system for preorders was broken. Dealers got to prioritize customers however they wanted. And my dealer prioritized me badly, and my dealer got a small allocation of vehicles every "wave".

The Chevy/GM Silverado/Sierra EV didn't exist until far later. And the Hummer wasn't even in consideration, as it isn't a real pickup. (It's a hopped-up Jeep Wrangler clone. A perfectly fine vehicle for its purpose, but "hauling things in the bed" and "towing things" aren't its strong suits.)

 

[iansriv]

Everything mentioned in above posts and all the female attention it gets.

 

[mkhuffman]

It's the best do-everything vehicle I could imagine. And it does the vast majority of them extremely well. No other vehicle, EV nor ICE, does so many things with such greatness. A few examples:

-0-60 as fast as many exotic sports cars? Check.
-A spot that perfectly fits my golf clubs year round without taking up any normal storage spots? Check.
-Massive off-road clearance? Check.
-Suspension that handles corners like a Mclaren? Check.
-Comfortable, near-luxury interior? Check.
-Secure truck bed? check.
-Fits in my garage? Barely, but check.
-Designed and built in America? Check
-Never needing to stop for gas? Icing on the cake.

This matches my list with one addition: range.

I became very frustrated with the range of my Mach-e, and multiple poor public charging experiences. My T's range makes traveling much less stressful because it is a lot easier to avoid public charging. Public charging sucks.

 

[Time2Roll]

Not many 2nd generation EVs except Tesla and that was not happening. Been through three first generation EVs and they showed it. Second generation Rivian seemed more together and complete not to mention better function and range.

 

[Rade]

I needed a truck and I wanted an EV. From long-term, personal experience, I have no faith that Ford or GM can make a quality vehicle, and I grew tired of hearing "And electric version is coming... soon!" from the likes of Nissan and Honda. I had followed Rivian since seeing the R1T and R1S prototypes at the NY International Auto Show a long time ago. Followed the company trials and tribulations to get the roll out of the launch editions. Followed the news and this forum about the experiences.

I liked what I saw and read of the 2nd Generation R1T and decided that it was time I to make the purchase.

Rivian makes one kind of vehicle; an EV. The electric vehicle is not some off-shoot of some established line - it is WHAT RIVIAN DOES. It's the bread and butter. The product won't, as recent events have proven, be gone in 6 months on the political whims of some anti-green administration. I also see the fleets of Rivian Amazon delivery vans in our neighborhood every day. Been seeing them all WINTER long, too! Says a lot about the stability of the company and the product.

 

[dradam]

Wanted to replace my 18 year old LX470 who's repairs would cost more than the book value. Wanted similar size, wanted electric. Nothing existed --- until it did. Love my S.

 

[SteveInBend]

1. I wanted an EV.
2. Really wanted 400 mile range, settled for 300.
3. High-centered my Outback in the back alley and only Rivian had the ground clearance.

 

[VandalSibs]

Similar to others here, it was a factor of needing more space than the then-available Teslas (Cybertruck was never an option), better at towing, more useful for the things my wife and I do (hauling dirt, stone, etc) and would actually fit in our garage.

Also the Ford was never an option either, due to terrible experiences with an F350 back in the 90s that my wife had. Don't think she'll even get in a Ford anymore, of any kind.

 

[evguy]

We couldn't imagine buying another ICE vehicle after getting a Tesla in 2018. Put our deposit down for a R1S in 2019 because we wanted a 3-row BEV and we didn't like the overpriced egg known as the Model X. And we loved the Rivian design. Waited (not so) patiently for 3.5 years until delivery. Even if there had been BEV 3-row options from legacy companies at that time, the R1S would have won out due to the Tesla-like tech platform with OTA updates that improve vehicle functionality (not just the UI). It's 2026 and I still have not seen anyone do OTA updates like Tesla, Rivian and Lucid can. With 3 kids (oldest is now over 6'), we've made heavy use of the third row on trips. 78,000 miles and counting . . .

 

[DuoRivians]

Rivian happens to be the only BEV offering a well rounded truck.

If Tesla didn’t have a crazy CEO and offered a good EV truck, there’s a high chance I would have stuck with Tesla.

If other OEMs offer compelling trucks too, I can easily switch too

 

[Judd]

I had a Bronco Raptor and got tired of the wind noise. I wanted something else and started looking. Rivian wasn’t even on my radar and I was looking at a Raptor R…it was bigger than I wanted and one nite while watching YouTube a race between the Raptor R and the R1T came up. The R1T spanked its donkey 3 different races. I started looking at it because I could get an 2023 for about 1/2 the cost of a Raptor R and it was smaller.

Liked the gear tunnel concept and all the storage. Never had an EV or even considered one…I did some research and as someone who really don’t keep vehicles, I thought I’d try it as more of an experiment.

I’ve had the truck a little over a year (only had the Bronco for 8 months. I’m really not looking to replace it yet, which is shocking for me. But this thing is even more fun to pilot than I ever anticipated. The FSD is something that interests me but I can’t bring myself to do a cybertruck, they are just too ugly. So I’m sort of just seeing what develops over the next year or so. I can’t bring myself to buy a Chebby. So that eliminates them and the Hummer. Who knows what’s next but I’m happy right now, which I really didn’t expect.

 

[tate16t]

When Rivian first launched, there weren’t many direct comparisons.

Now there are more options than ever.

Other EVs

• GM EV trucks (Silverado, GMC Sierra, HummerEV)
• Tesla Cybertruck

Soon to be released EVs

• Slate
• Scout Terra and Traveler
• Tacoma EV

Previous options (We hardly knew ye)

• Ford Lightning EV

Even traditional ICE trucks/SUVs like the Landrover Defender, Ineos Grenadier, and pick-ups from legacy OEMs still make a strong case.

So we’re curious.

What pulled you toward Rivian?

• Off-road capability
• Design and interior
• Electric drivetrain
• Adventure focus
• Something else entirely

Everyone’s path seems a little different.

What made you choose the R1T or R1S?


— Team Electruck

When I purchased in 22/23 the Rivian was unique and most handsome, still is.

Sponsored