My One-Month Real World R1T Owner Review: This Thing is Amazing

[R1TLG20BM]

I've had the service center work the wind noise on 2 different occasions, no change at highway speeds. I've succumbed to the noise and assume it is "normal" for this vehicle. Almost as if a window is cracked. Very odd for an otherwise well made vehicle.​

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Update if you get a fix for it.​

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[Max]

Here you go!

Looks much better. l would replace RIVIAN with a Chevy logo and see if the engagement on the road drops off.

 

[electruck]

I've had the service center work the wind noise on 2 different occasions, no change at highway speeds. I've succumbed to the noise and assume it is "normal" for this vehicle. Almost as if a window is cracked. Very odd for an otherwise well made vehicle.​

​

Update if you get a fix for it.​

For a while it seemed this was an issue with the fixed triangular portion of the front door window(s) but it's starting to seem like there might be more to it.

Someone here had posted video of their truck going through a car wash a while back and I noted some air bubbles coming out from around the door handles. Makes me wonder if there is something there contributing to the reports of wind noise.

 

[Max]

I've had the service center work the wind noise on 2 different occasions, no change at highway speeds. I've succumbed to the noise and assume it is "normal" for this vehicle. Almost as if a window is cracked. Very odd for an otherwise well made vehicle.​

​

Update if you get a fix for it.​

That would really drive me bananas. If mine had that issue and they didn’t address it, I would tape the crap out of everything until I figure out where it comes from If I had to drive my $80K EV around with a duct tape to get rid of noise, I would. I have always loved the quiet sedans I owned. Thinking that my quiet EV makes noise intentionally at low speed and unintentionally at high speed is quite a pickle to deal with.

 

[LaunchGreen]

That would really drive me bananas. If mine had that issue and they didn’t address it, I would tape the crap out of everything until I figure out where it comes from If I had to drive my $80K EV around with a duct tape to get rid of noise, I would. I have always loved the quiet sedans I owned. Thinking that my quiet EV makes noise intentionally at low speed and unintentionally at high speed is quite a pickle to deal with.

Ya, I'm curious what the cause is as well. I think it's a relatively small number of trucks but no idea. Mine does not have this issue yet.

 

[CarterGee]

I love your review!

Two things...
- the suspension issue you're talking about is because of the type of fluid being used in the suspension (yes, even though it's an air suspension). The fluid they used on production isn't the same, probably, as the First Mile trucks. There is not a fix for this yet. Please please please complain so my truck can get fixed too.
- wind noise is probably from the triangular small window on the front passenger door. They likely need to replace the weather stripping.

Again, complain about the squeaky!

 

[SeaGeo]

• Suspension, while really good at speed, is surprisingly "clanky" going over sharp bumps at lower speeds. I don't know how to describe it. There is an audible and physical rattle/shake if you hit small, sharp bumps. I have service ticket in, but I get the feeling I'll be told it's normal. I do not remember such a noise/feeling from the test drive vehicle.
• The lane keep assist is annoyingly aggressive. I've turned both the warning and the assist off completely.

Same!

The low speed suspension noise surprised me as well, but also just reminds me if trucks I've had in the past. And that it actually had mechanical moving parts.

I'm getting tired of having people take my photo . I mean, it's constant. Window tinting has made this more tolerable.

My. Wife. Hates. It. Lol.

 

[Jamuso]

I have the clunky suspension too. Noticeable at lower speeds and sharper higher impact bumps. Just sounds like something is loose that shouldn't be.

I do too. Getting service on Monday - they're going to go thru the truck to make sure everything is tight.... i worry it's me not being used to it (coming from a 2017 Ridgeline). But for the money spent, it'll be worth the piece of mind...

 

[cohall]

For a while it seemed this was an issue with the fixed triangular portion of the front door window(s) but it's starting to seem like there might be more to it.

Mine sounds more like it’s coming from the leading edge of the glass roof. It might be normal, but it’s louder than I would have expected for sure.

Two things...
- the suspension issue you're talking about is because of the type of fluid being used in the suspension (yes, even though it's an air suspension). The fluid they used on production isn't the same, probably, as the First Mile trucks. There is not a fix for this yet. Please please please complain so my truck can get fixed too.
- wind noise is probably from the triangular small window on the front passenger door. They likely need to replace the weather stripping.

Again, complain about the squeaky!

I think we have slightly different suspension issues. Mine isn’t a squeak, it’s like a metal on metal clank and clunk that you can both hear and feel when hitting bumps. I don’t think this is actually the case, but it basically gives the feeling that something is loose in the suspension connections.

Did you get your battery pack swapped out yet? How did it go?

 

[rodhx]

Mine sounds more like it’s coming from the leading edge of the glass roof. It might be normal, but it’s louder than I would have expected for sure.

This is a fairly common thing in the glass roof cars. Lots of wind noise complaints from that windshield/roof gap in the Tesla & Mach E world. There is cheap trim you can get to bridge that gap. I put this on my Mach E.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I’ve secretly been stalking you on the forums and following your delivery trials and tribulations. I live in CO Springs and took delivery one day prior to you (also a Denver Service center pick-up). I now have about 3500 miles on my beast. I also have almost the same list of goods/bads that you do. I don’t have the frunk issue, but my tonneau cover took a dump a few days ago.

I am especially curious to hear what the service folks have to say about the clunky suspension. I have the same thing and was unfortunately told it was normal.

Super glad you are enjoying your ride. Like you, I feel the positives far outweigh the annoyances.

Congrats, and happy trails!

Saw midnight in person the other day and I have to say, each colour brings so much to the table, you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[OhioBF]

Agree with the bulk of you what you say – I’ve had my R1T since 5.25.2022 and have ~2500 including one road trip to Florida and back (I’m in Ohio).

Here are my specific agreements

• No AA/CP/SiriusXM. Yes, this is well known. No, I'm still not ok with it. I think it's stupid I need to open and use Waze on my phone when I have such an amazing screen just sitting unused right on the dashboard.
• The lane keep assist is annoyingly aggressive. I've turned both the warning and the assist off completely.
• Wind noise is high at any speed above 50 mph.
• I scrape my leg (specifically my calf) on the rubber weather stripping on the bottom of the frame where the door meets…constantly re-attaching….and my driver’s door speaker is scratched…no idea how it happened. knee on the speaker grill of the door when exiting. I assume this is unique to me and my long legs and insistence on wearing shorts as often as is humanly possible - combined with not being able to open the door fully due to my garage constraints
• I'm getting tired of having people take my photo. I mean, it's constant. Window tinting has made this more tolerable.

Here are my agreements with the service/opportunity items:

• Steering wheel shakes/vibrates at 70mph+. Probably a wheel balance problem
• And for me – the Tonneau cover worked one day – still awaiting that fix and the wheel shake problem too.

BTW – road trip to FL was 1752 miles (I'm in Ohio) – cost me $110 in re-charge – pretty amazing.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Agree with the bulk of you what you say – I’ve had my R1T since 5.25.2022 and have ~2500 including one road trip to Florida and back (I’m in Ohio).

Here are my specific agreements

• No AA/CP/SiriusXM. Yes, this is well known. No, I'm still not ok with it. I think it's stupid I need to open and use Waze on my phone when I have such an amazing screen just sitting unused right on the dashboard.
• The lane keep assist is annoyingly aggressive. I've turned both the warning and the assist off completely.
• Wind noise is high at any speed above 50 mph.
• I scrape my leg (specifically my calf) on the rubber weather stripping on the bottom of the frame where the door meets…constantly re-attaching….and my driver’s door speaker is scratched…no idea how it happened. knee on the speaker grill of the door when exiting. I assume this is unique to me and my long legs and insistence on wearing shorts as often as is humanly possible - combined with not being able to open the door fully due to my garage constraints
• I'm getting tired of having people take my photo. I mean, it's constant. Window tinting has made this more tolerable.

Here are my agreements with the service/opportunity items:

• Steering wheel shakes/vibrates at 70mph+. Probably a wheel balance problem
• And for me – the Tonneau cover worked one day – still awaiting that fix and the wheel shake problem too.

BTW – road trip to FL was 1752 miles (I'm in Ohio) – cost me $110 in re-charge – pretty amazing.

financially efficient

 

[Deleted member 7086]

I have had my R1T for four weeks now, about 800 miles. I agree with your comments totally. A fantastic vehicle! But there are some drawbacks some of which you have mentioned.

1. I live in Arizona and on those 110+ degree days the heat gain through the glass roof is uncomfortable. There is a need for an after market, or from Rivian itself, stylish ceiling sun screen which is removable. Perhaps some day Rivian will replace the glass with a solar electric panel?

2. The air conditioning is a problem which sorely needs to be addressed. The outside vents are partially blocked by the corner of the dash impeding air flow. The system does not remember settings. In light of Alexa’s erratic responses, the only effective way to adjust the vents is through the center screen which is a safety hazard when driving. You must take your eyes totally off the road, try to adjust the vents and not run into something. If I have a passenger I now ask them to adjust the vents or if alone pull off the road to adjust them. Oftentimes the outside vents on both sides do not move at all in response to the on screen adjustments and continue to aim at the door windows. There have been several times where the outside temperature was in excess of 100 degrees, inside temperature set at 72 degrees and the system started blowing heated air. I turned off the air conditioning and turned it on again, the heat turned off and cold air returned. Unfortunately, I had to do this while driving. No safe place to pull over. When in auto mode the sensors do not do a good job of adjusting the air flow to maintain cabin comfort. In comparison to my other vehicles and trucks over the years I would give the Rivian A/C system a marginal rating.

3. When the vehicle is parked in the garage and unlocked the exterior door handle LED lights will not time out unless the vehicle is totally asleep. They should be tied to the puddle light circuit.

4. Rivian Service Response. I have brought these problems to the attention of Rivian several times over the past few weeks each time being told they will look into it and get back to me. They have not. I suspect Rivian is the victim of its own success. The more vehicles being sold the more demands being placed on their service personnel.

5. I realize the younger generation may not identify with this but I really miss my Satellite Radio. Cell tower coverage can be lacking in much of Arizona and I am not one to preload music on my phone.

Don’t get me wrong I really like my R1T and do not regret for a moment waiting two and one half years to get it, it just needs some refinement which hopefully will occur.

 

[mindstormsguy]

Awesome!!

Quite a few reports of steering wheel shake at higher speeds are starting to surface.
Are they not high-speed balancing the wheels at the factory?

I had that on my (used) i3 when I purchased it. I brought it to a tire shop for 4 wheel balance job... solved that problem instantly.

I wonder if it’s a torque thing. My Camaro wheels have a knurled surface where the tire bead sits on the rim, to prevent the tire from rotating on the wheel. If the tires slips on the wheel, it will throw off the balance. Most of the balancing weights are there to compensate for the rubber, not the wheel. So if the rubber moves…

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