Just test drove R1S, interior trim quality/ passenger room

[Chris350z]

Hello,,

I hope I do not upset people on the forum but I would like to get feedback from people who have been driving their R1S. My wife and I test drive the R1S last week and as much as we thought we were going to love it, we came away a little disappointed in the interior trim and passenger area and leg room. I am wondering what car people moved out of when they got into the R1S.

Personally, we have a Mercedes GL450 and have been waiting for 2.5 years for our Rivian so far. Upon for inspection of the Rivian, I have to say I was very happy with the building quality for the exterior of the car. Fit and finish of the body were excellent considering the company has only been manufacturing for a couple years. Tesla suffered for many years with their build quality in a rush to produce numbers. People were more forgiving back then in the early days of EVs. So I applaud Rivian for their ability to produce a quality car. Ride quality is not as good as our GL, which has over 100,000 miles on it but it is still very adequate, especially once we raised the suspension from the lowest setting.

My initial reaction to the R1S interior: a little taken aback that the third row seats were manual. Additionally I wasn't fond of the second row (middle seat was very small) and legroom wasn't great in either back row. Maybe the battery doesn't allow for the floor wells to be lower. I know the guide mentioned the R1S doesn't allow for a running board to help you step into for shorter people. Carpet and trim panels seemed 'cheap'. Not cheap so much as not great. More like a base model Chevy Tahoe. I guess that's why I'm asking what car people moved out of. Maybe I'm spoiled with the interior quality of Mercedes. Maybe, I suppose, Rivian is truly going for a niche segment and i am just not in the niche anymore. lol I knew going electric at this price point, I would have to sacrifice some of our comforts, but now I'm debating on whether I should wait a couple more years to see what other options there are for an EV SUV, or if Rivian will eventually upgrade the interior options.

I would love to hear owners feedback, and please include the car you had before getting the R1S. Any constructive comments are appreciated.

Cheers!

Sponsored

 

[Jay565]

I've owned a Tesla Model 3, BMW X5 plug in, Chevy Volt, Hyundai Palisade, etc. Listen, the truth is many people very much prefer "brand name" cars. It seems like to me you may be biased in favor of brand names like Mercedes and Porsche, I don't know you so that's up to you to decide, but I will say many folks over 50 have that bias.
With that said, much of what you are complaining about is subjective, so I love the interior, but for me I have 3 kids, I upgraded the mats, so super durable.
Middle seat is small, but its for a reason, very innovative split that comes down, very useful when I have two car seats on each side, so opening just the middle allow kids to get to the back, and I have even used it to ship a large tree.
The interior as i said no one can convince you, you like what you like.
Also, I didn't see you rave about the electric drive, the lack of soot in your garage, the lack of maintenance, the fact Rivian updates your car every few months (something mercedes will never do). Cargo space in the frunk is amazing. So many benefits, but if you are focused on such subjective things like interior, I think you wouldn't enjoy the R1S.

 

[Guy]

I have a Toyota Sienna and I too found the rear third row seat space to be limited. Upon reflection and the continued delays I have switched to the T which offers the same second row legroom. The middle seat is small and didn’t need to be - Volvo in the upcoming EX90, like my minivan has a separate middle seat and this is better than a bench style.
quality wise I found it good - I can see people saying it isn’t BMW/Mercedes level but certainly Acura/Volvo “premium” level.
Given the sophisticated suspension, large battery and electric motors something had to give to keep the price below six figures. It struck me as a nice interior with some real materials which set it apart from mainstream competitors.

 

[Count Orlok]

We replaced our GLS450 and the R1S is better but not as refined in regards to the finishes. I think it rides, in AP, just a nice if not better than the MB in "comfort". This is my first EV so it has be a steeper learning curve than I expected. The R1S is one of 6 vehicles between my wife and me and the one I prefer to drive day-to-day in the two months we've had it. I still drive my F-150 a bit but only when I need to do truck stuff. She prefers her 911 but there are not many opportunities for her to drive it during winter. The R1S has handled snow and ice as well or better than the GLS450 and better than my truck. We don't have a passenger use for the third row and leave it down.

Remember it is an "adventure" vehicle and you can take it placed the MB would not perform well.

I'm a function over form guy and the utilitarian R1S is a better fit for us than the MB was.

 

[dilmorecg]

I replaced our BMW X5 with an R1T. I agree the interior finishes are not as refined...but good enough for me. They are way better than my F150 Raptor though. Overall im really happy with the truck as a whole.

 

[Chris350z]

We replaced our GLS450 and the R1S is better but not as refined in regards to the finishes. I think it rides, in AP, just a nice if not better than the MB in "comfort". This is my first EV so it has be a steeper learning curve than I expected. The R1S is one of 6 vehicles between my wife and me and the one I prefer to drive day-to-day in the two months we've had it. I still drive my F-150 a bit but only when I need to do truck stuff. She prefers her 911 but there are not many opportunities for her to drive it during winter. The R1S has handled snow and ice as well or better than the GLS450 and better than my truck. We don't have a passenger use for the third row and leave it down.

Remember it is an "adventure" vehicle and you can take it placed the MB would not perform well.

I'm a function over form guy and the utilitarian R1S is a better fit for us than the MB was.

Thank you for your input. Its nice to hear from someone in a similar car, and also about the learning curve. Sounds like at the end you are happy about your choice. Maybe I'll drive it again, and bring the kids. We have three kids and with friends are always using the third row, at least for a few more years.

 

[Zoidz]

I don't have my R1S yet, but I did the First Mile Drive a few weeks ago and looked closely at the interior. I was quite pleased with it. Having owned a Volvo 740 in the past, and currently owning two BMWs (3 series and X3) I can say that I'm happy that the interior may be just a bit under that level. This is an Adventure vehicle first, and a luxury SUV secondarily. For the use I give this type of vehicle, I don't need or want a super premium interior. I want something easy to clean and will hold up to the use/abuse I give it - snowy/dirty/muddy boots, clothing full of sawdust after cutting firewood, vacuuming sand out of it after surf fishing, etc.

As you commented, you may not fit Rivian's target consumer profile. Just because it falls into a premium/luxury price point, I see many people making the mistake of comparing it point for point to another luxury brand. That's simply not Rivian's goal or target market and making that comparison will probably be disappointing, but that's not Rivian's fault. Price ≠ Luxury. You can buy an F350 Super Duty at premuim price above $100k, but nobody even thinks about comparing it to a premium vehicle interior...

 

[Chris350z]

I don't have my R1S yet, but I did the First Mile Drive a few weeks ago and looked closely at the interior. I was quite pleased with it. Having owned a Volvo 740 in the past, and currently owning two BMWs (3 series and X3) I can say that I'm happy that the interior may be just a bit under that level. This is an Adventure vehicle first, and a luxury SUV secondarily. For the use I give this type of vehicle, I don't need or want a super premium interior. I want something easy to clean and will hold up to the use/abuse I give it - snowy/dirty/muddy boots, clothing full of sawdust after cutting firewood, vacuuming sand out of it after surf fishing, etc.

As you commented, you may not fit Rivian's target consumer profile. Just because it falls into a premium/luxury price point, I see many people making the mistake of comparing it point for point to another luxury brand. That's simply not Rivian's goal or target market and making that comparison will probably be disappointing, but that's not Rivian's fault. Price ≠ Luxury. You can buy an F350 Super Duty at premuim price above $100k, but nobody even thinks about comparing it to a premium vehicle interior...

I think you said it well, as was my thought that the Rivian is an adventure vehicle first, and a great one at that. My adventure vehicle is a battle tested Jeep Rubicon which makes the Rubcon journey every two years, in addition to other excursions. Now I need to see if the adventure first will satisfy my wife's needs for her daily driver. Thanks again for the input!

 

[Chris350z]

I've owned a Tesla Model 3, BMW X5 plug in, Chevy Volt, Hyundai Palisade, etc. Listen, the truth is many people very much prefer "brand name" cars. It seems like to me you may be biased in favor of brand names like Mercedes and Porsche, I don't know you so that's up to you to decide, but I will say many folks over 50 have that bias.
With that said, much of what you are complaining about is subjective, so I love the interior, but for me I have 3 kids, I upgraded the mats, so super durable.
Middle seat is small, but its for a reason, very innovative split that comes down, very useful when I have two car seats on each side, so opening just the middle allow kids to get to the back, and I have even used it to ship a large tree.
The interior as i said no one can convince you, you like what you like.
Also, I didn't see you rave about the electric drive, the lack of soot in your garage, the lack of maintenance, the fact Rivian updates your car every few months (something mercedes will never do). Cargo space in the frunk is amazing. So many benefits, but if you are focused on such subjective things like interior, I think you wouldn't enjoy the R1S.

Thanks for the 'comment', although I'm not over 50, nor one swayed by brands. Also please don't take my comments as complaining, merely commenting on my perception based on my expectation never having seen the vehicle in person before and asking for feedback from others for their experiences. I also have three kids, and mentioned the legroom for passengers, as my kids are teens. Sorry it struck such a nerve.

 

[evguy]

We're a family of five, with our youngest still in a booster seat. Our R1S replaced a 2009 Toyota Highlander, which had a cloth interior. Our other vehicle is a 2018 Tesla Model 3, so we were already used to the EV experience. The R1S interior is an enormous improvement over the Highlander (obviously), and has a a more "lux" feel than the Model 3 interior (which is nice but spartan). Not "luxury" interior like a Mercedes, but we weren't looking for that. The R1S interior fell a little below my expectations, but mostly because of weird design choices. (Useless wireless phone charger, some questionable cup holder placement/sizing, door pockets that aren't as practical as they first appear.) But overall, it's exactly what we wanted - a 3-row, all-electric SUV that looks awesome, is fun to drive in the uniquely EV way, offers more storage and passenger room than what we had previously without being so big that's it's hard to park, and is great for everyday commutes and regular roadtrips.

 

[Firewired]

Coming from multiple Teslas, (P85D, P100D, 2 Model 3 Performances, and a X), Multiple BMWs (550, 330, M3s, X5s), Multiple Audis (A6, RS4s), Mercedes (C63) and Porsche (911) I have been pleasantly surprised by the fit and finish and design and combination of materials on the Rivians. Granted, I am not looking at it from a space perspective as both my kids are near adulthood, but for Rivian's first vehicles out the gate, I think it is really impressive. Not one of my Teslas some costing almost twice as much as impressed me as much. I think it is very exciting for things to come if they keep it up, and continue to iterate.

 

[Count Orlok]

I think part of the utilitarian feel of the R1S interior is that so much is controlled via the screen.

 

[picklebill]

Coming from a Model S as my daily driver with a Yukon XL for road trips. Wife has a Model Y.

Have been driving an R1S for about a week.

The R1S is smaller than I imagined. It's a decent-sized 3 row SUV but it's no Yukon that's for sure. That means if you're using all three rows, nobody is going to be super comfortable. But it's much more comfortable than the Model Y.

As fit and finish goes I am very pleased so far. I think it's a very good combination of luxury and utility. I don't want a plush, shiny "luxury" interior but I also think Tesla takes it too far in the other direction. My R1S has some nice frills and is put together well. I think it's nicer than the Yukon.

 

[Chris350z]

Coming from a Model S as my daily driver with a Yukon XL for road trips. Wife has a Model Y.

Have been driving an R1S for about a week.

The R1S is smaller than I imagined. It's a decent-sized 3 row SUV but it's no Yukon that's for sure. That means if you're using all three rows, nobody is going to be super comfortable. But it's much more comfortable than the Model Y.

As fit and finish goes I am very pleased so far. I think it's a very good combination of luxury and utility. I don't want a plush, shiny "luxury" interior but I also think Tesla takes it too far in the other direction. My R1S has some nice frills and is put together well. I think it's nicer than the Yukon.

I would agree with you and appreciate where you are coming from.

 

[Chris350z]

Coming from a Model S as my daily driver with a Yukon XL for road trips. Wife has a Model Y.

Have been driving an R1S for about a week.

The R1S is smaller than I imagined. It's a decent-sized 3 row SUV but it's no Yukon that's for sure. That means if you're using all three rows, nobody is going to be super comfortable. But it's much more comfortable than the Model Y.

As fit and finish goes I am very pleased so far. I think it's a very good combination of luxury and utility. I don't want a plush, shiny "luxury" interior but I also think Tesla takes it too far in the other direction. My R1S has some nice frills and is put together well. I think it's nicer than the Yukon.
[/QUOT

We're a family of five, with our youngest still in a booster seat. Our R1S replaced a 2009 Toyota Highlander, which had a cloth interior. Our other vehicle is a 2018 Tesla Model 3, so we were already used to the EV experience. The R1S interior is an enormous improvement over the Highlander (obviously), and has a a more "lux" feel than the Model 3 interior (which is nice but spartan). Not "luxury" interior like a Mercedes, but we weren't looking for that. The R1S interior fell a little below my expectations, but mostly because of weird design choices. (Useless wireless phone charger, some questionable cup holder placement/sizing, door pockets that aren't as practical as they first appear.) But overall, it's exactly what we wanted - a 3-row, all-electric SUV that looks awesome, is fun to drive in the uniquely EV way, offers more storage and passenger room than what we had previously without being so big that's it's hard to park, and is great for everyday commutes and regular roadtrips.

Thank you for your input. I think some people are buying this and sparingly using the 3rd row, n which case its near perfect. Its a different story when it is being used regularly like we would do. THANKS!

Sponsored