MrMusAddict
Well-Known Member
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What a week!
We drove down from Southern Oregon and spend some time at Yosemite, before continuing down to Anaheim and Universal Studios.
Stats
Itinerary
Comma 3X
I wrote this review a couple months ago. TL
R - worth it, but difficult to install, and performance is tied to tire wear (more tread = better steering performance).
Since then, I’ve learned something important I initially misunderstood:
You can use the steering wheel buttons to adjust speed and follow distance without the Longitudinal Upgrade Harness, as long as you're okay with using stock cruise control for acceleration and braking. The Comma 3X will still handle the steering, and with SunnyPilot installed, this setup works great.
For me, this feels like the best of both worlds—I saved the $400 for the harness and still get the latest features from SunnyPilot, all while keeping my steering wheel controls. The only thing I’m missing is SunnyPilot’s approach to acceleration and braking, and honestly, I wasn’t convinced I liked it better anyway.
What still makes the Comma 3X worth it for me are three standout features:
All in all if my initial review made it seem like I was on the fence with my purchase, let me be clear; the $1100 and frustrating installation is 100% worth it. No issues whatsoever over my 1726 miles driven this past week, and the entire drive was elevated because of the 3X.
The Rivian Itself
What a vehicle! Had it for nearly 2 years now, and the only complaint I have is actually from wife, which is that the upholstery on the headrests are poorly designed; the seam is right where she rests her head, so it causes pain from constant pressure on such a long trip.
Photos
Our route:
Entering Yosemite:
At the Tunnel View tunnel
Our view from Tunnel View
Coming down from Glacier Point at Sunset
Heading through the grapevine!
Disneyland!
Arriving at the Angels stadium
Arriving at Universal City
Universal Studios
My wife appreciates Pet mode
Approaching Oregon on our last day:
We drove down from Southern Oregon and spend some time at Yosemite, before continuing down to Anaheim and Universal Studios.
Stats
- Time Driven: 49 hours 53 minutes
- Distance Driven: 1,726.21 miles
- Charging:
- 692 kWh driven (2.49 mi/kWh)
- 762 kWh charged (90.8% charge efficiency)
- 689 kWh paid for (73 kWh free & hotel)
- $412.39 Total
- Avg $0.598 / kWh
- Comparing to $4.49/gal in CA today, equivalent to 18.7 mpg
Itinerary
- Day 0 - Drive from Southern Oregon to Yosemite
- Day 1 - Yosemite
- Day 2 - ½ day @ Yosemite & staying in Visalia
- Day 3 - Drive to Anaheim, ½ day @ Disneyland
- Day 4 - No driving! (Disneyland)
- Day 5 - ½ day @ Disneyland, Angels Game at night, drive to Universal City afterward
- Day 6 - No driving! (Universal Studios)
- Day 7 - Drive home
Comma 3X
I wrote this review a couple months ago. TL
R - worth it, but difficult to install, and performance is tied to tire wear (more tread = better steering performance).Since then, I’ve learned something important I initially misunderstood:
You can use the steering wheel buttons to adjust speed and follow distance without the Longitudinal Upgrade Harness, as long as you're okay with using stock cruise control for acceleration and braking. The Comma 3X will still handle the steering, and with SunnyPilot installed, this setup works great.
For me, this feels like the best of both worlds—I saved the $400 for the harness and still get the latest features from SunnyPilot, all while keeping my steering wheel controls. The only thing I’m missing is SunnyPilot’s approach to acceleration and braking, and honestly, I wasn’t convinced I liked it better anyway.
What still makes the Comma 3X worth it for me are three standout features:
- Activate Anywhere, Anytime
As long as your Rivian allows you to enable base cruise control, you can use the Comma 3X—even without the Longitudinal Upgrade Harness. That means anytime you're going over 20 mph (or even under 20 mph while following another vehicle on the freeway), you can activate it.
No geofencing. No road-type restrictions. Just turn it on when you want it. - MADS (Manual Assisted Driving System)
SunnyPilot's MADS mode lets the 3X steer for you while you control speed manually via one-pedal driving. This is a game-changer in places like curvy mountain roads or busy city streets.
Once you activate it, and you can focus on speed while the 3X keeps you comfortably in your lane—even through tight mountainous curves or city traffic. - Cooperative Steering
Even though I keep my hands on the wheel out of habit (not a lack of confidence), the Comma 3X is doing the heavy lifting 90% of the time.
The magic happens in the remaining 10%—during challenging conditions like winding roads—when I take over but the 3X still assists.- If I start to over- or under-steer, I can feel the wheel gently correct itself into the optimal angle (and doing so more gradually/comfortably than I can)
- When I let go of the wheel after a turn, instead of it snapping back awkwardly, the 3X returns it to center smoothly and naturally.
It’s like driving with a co-pilot who knows exactly when to step in and when to stay out of the way.
All in all if my initial review made it seem like I was on the fence with my purchase, let me be clear; the $1100 and frustrating installation is 100% worth it. No issues whatsoever over my 1726 miles driven this past week, and the entire drive was elevated because of the 3X.
The Rivian Itself
What a vehicle! Had it for nearly 2 years now, and the only complaint I have is actually from wife, which is that the upholstery on the headrests are poorly designed; the seam is right where she rests her head, so it causes pain from constant pressure on such a long trip.
Photos
Our route:
Entering Yosemite:
At the Tunnel View tunnel
Our view from Tunnel View
Coming down from Glacier Point at Sunset
Heading through the grapevine!
Disneyland!
Arriving at the Angels stadium
Arriving at Universal City
Universal Studios
My wife appreciates Pet mode
Approaching Oregon on our last day:
Sponsored
)
