I Spent Two Days With Gen-2 R1 Vehicles. Here’s My Thoughts as a Rivian Owner...

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

ehh, Tesla's doesnt have a branded system but their premium audio system in their Long Range models are universally praised. Most people dont care about brands; if it sounds good it sounds good. Your average joe does not know Mark Levenson, McIntosh or KEF.

I don't care what Tesla does to make theirs sound "universally" good. This isn't a Tesla product and that's a different soundstage.

Most people? Did an independent research firm conduct a scientific survey that is counted and certified by an independent accounting firm?

In this forum alone, there are lots of posts citing "not Meridian" as cause for displeasure. They just say it sounds bad without going into details on what their settings or their streaming sources were. Branding is very much a part of consumer psychology and spending habits. And consumers aren't always conscious of it. I don't think it's reasonable to dismiss it as a plausible cause. Nor is it logical or convincing to automatically assume that you are with the majority, simply because it's your opinion.

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[HeyEllwood]

Okay, I played with the customization options and it is incredibly unfortunate that they keep specific color ways for the more $$$ vehicle. I truly hope that changes for everyone.

I'd love to get my R2 in the Storm Blue with the Slate Sky interior/Wood dash. Here is to hoping that the Dual Motor R2 allows those options. Dream combo for sure.

 

[pookgai]

I don't care what Tesla does to make theirs sound "universally" good. This isn't a Tesla product and that's a different soundstage.

Most people? Did an independent research firm conduct a scientific survey that is counted and certified by an independent accounting firm?

In this forum alone, there are lots of posts citing "not Meridian" as cause for displeasure. They just say it sounds bad without going into details what their settings or their streaming sources. Branding is very much a part of consumer psychology and spending habits. And consumers aren't always conscious of it. I don't think it's reasonable to dismiss it as a plausible cause. Nor is it logical or convincing to automatically assume that you are with the majority, simply because it's your opinion.

Lol why are you so mad? Relax.

I mentioned Tesla because you said " subjective opinion based on emotional attachment to having a seemingly prestigious audio brand name assigned to the system", and my counterpoint is that Tesla's system is universally praised without the fancy badge.

 

[PeterSK]

True of my old Tesla Model S, too. ?

Rear wheel drive, with the "microwave" deep compartment in the frunk? I used to fit a large jogging stroller into there!

 

[R1Tom]

I did a direct comparison of an R1S with my air suspension equipped Grand Cherokee (the vehicle in my thumbnail) and it's not even comparable. The R1S doesn't feel anywhere near as refined on any road surface. It's not as noticeable on a glass smooth road, but it's very noticeable over any kind of bumps or uneven pavement. Jeep hasn't been doing air suspension for very long (I think they started in 2011), but they managed to get it right from the beginning. In fairness, the air suspension Jeep uses is from Mercedes Benz, so it was already in use for several years before Jeep adopted it from the ML platform.

That makes sense. Grand Cherokee is ultimately more a road focused vehicle than the Rivians. Not that road focused is bad in anyway, but what Rivian has been attempting to pull off is a vehicle almost as capable off road as a Wrangler yet great on road like a Grand Cherokee. It's tough to play both ends of that fairly. But hopefully the new gen pulls if off better. That said...I feel my early R1T is very good. A bit more impact harshness than I would like, but at same time excellent steering feel, great highway ride, etc... jist those impacts could be a bit more dampened.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

WOW, really?? Just to confirm, the ride quality of the R1S is worse than the new Honda Pilot? Why is everyone here on the forums so silent on this point? thank you for sharing!

I wonder if the 2nd Gen ride quality is better than the Honda Pilot...

I think the earlier VINS are worse than the newer ones. OTA updates and suspension changes over the last year or so have improved it a lot. Plus, I think that POV is limited to an average day doing average things. How someone can compare a honda pilot to a quad in sport mode going around a corner is beyond me. Its night and day.

 

[R1Tom]

There is a lot of misinformation on the audio quality and subjective opinion based on emotional attachment to having a seemingly prestigious audio brand name assigned to the system (exactly what co-branding aims to accomplish, see my occupation). Take it all with grain of salt and let your own ears be the judge. But, know that you need to tune the system right. Any system needs to be tuned right to sound right. The baseline factory audio profile should have been made to err on side of neutral. It isn't. There are multiple threads on this, backed by instrumented testing. I would suggest reading those, then come up with your own preferred reference playlist and a listening source that you feel reproduces that playlist the best. This way, you have a reference target to aim for. And make sure your Spotify is set to stream highest quality available. That said, if you are the sort who is looking for block shaking bass, you'll never get it out of any Rivian sound systems. They are just not designed or spec'ed to be like that.

I do agree with you brand name has nothing to do with performance. And a non branded system could easily sound better than a branded system no doubt. Tesla hired some B&O people and went it alone. And from what I read....did a good job.

My question for you from a marketing side, since I am an engineer, albeit in sales for 25 years, do you think it would help or hurt Rivian to have paired up again with a perceived high end audio company, negotiate a fair price, and then offer in higher trim models, a branded system, at a price that brings profit. TM and QM Ascend level.

I ask, because I see many others, such as Ford Lighting, Chevy Silvarado EV, EV9, as well as many ICE vehicles in these price ranges, do that with their premium trim levels often. But it seems Rivian would rather follow the Tesla approach in many areas such as this. Just not sure who the real competition is....Tesla or has it become the others? I see both on the various forums and it seems to me....a premium branded system, from a marketing side....would help sell vehicles, at least to the non-Tesla cross shoppers.

 

[ImAI]

Their new “zonal architecture” cuts 17 ECUs down to just 7.

Hey Youuber. Start by spelling out the words and then convert them to an acronym.

 

[RCBUKnowMe]

Great summary and impressive refresh of a 3+ yr old vehicle launched during a pandemic and most disruptive supply chain environment the auto industry has seen in decades - by a new start up absolutely crushing / creating a new segment during a difficult economic environment (in regards to inflation and interest rates). For those of us with v1 rigs, we are blessed minority that get to drive engineering marvels while simultaneously helping to stand up a much needed shakeup in the auto industry. Kudos Rivian. I think it understandable that they are reserving additional features for the refresh.

 

[wjhdrew]

We are comparing the ride quality. Clearly the Honda Pilot and R1S are different vehicles. The Rivian aims to compete with the Range Rover so I expected a ride quality that at the very least would exceed the Pilot’s.

another one bites the dust

 

[RedCanyon]

I have to say as a loyal R1S owner, I am initially bummed and feel a bit betrayed if this all turns out to be true. You just expect with a modern software based vehicle like this that you can count on continual upgrades for years to come. Tesla's are still getting meaningful upgrades and new capabilities 5+ years later. This sure sounds like my 6 month old R1S v1 is about to be end-of-life from a software perspective. We will see... but if it turns out to be the case, it would make me question buying another Rivian in the future.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

My question for you from a marketing side, since I am an engineer, albeit in sales for 25 years, do you think it would help or hurt Rivian to have paired up again with a perceived high end audio company, negotiate a fair price, and then offer in higher trim models, a branded system, at a price that brings profit. TM and QM Ascend level.

Everyone who is a consumer has what it takes to be an expert. Each just have to be more aware of choices made and ponder the driving force behind those choices. I absolutely think it would help Rivian to co-brand. It would help much to settle and temper insecurities. Those who decided to bet on a new and previously unknown car manufacturer and are still insecure about it. Those who need that impression of legitimacy and confirmation, that they've truly gotten something premium in exchange for their large sack of money. Even if Rivian didn't actually change much in the audio processing and profile. The Meridian badge was that confirmation. I'm willing to bet some of these vocal critics have never heard of "Meridian". It's not a well-know audio brand unless you are familiar with the Jaguar/LR universe.

Yes, there will still be those who are truly discerning and knowledgeable enough to know that it isn't a good system no matter what brand is on the badge. You just can't please everyone. Impossible.

The challenge now is Rivian finds itself needing to be very careful with costs (to the point where they thought removing a horn and two 12V outlets are absolutely necessary? the spreadsheets might have looked worse than we know). They need every dollar they have, and can get, to make it long enough to see the R2 to market. Then, every dollar to sustain the business after that. It's a long road full of unknowns. And the funding is not bottomless.

Co-branding is no different from starting a business with partners. Each and every partner wants something in return. If not Meridian, anyone else would have their own price. I think for all EV startups (and even to some extent, for Tesla), for sake of cost efficiency, and being financially responsible, anything and everything they could do in-house, that's the path they take. Once Rivian can afford to co-brand, they probably will and should. I am not sure who they should partner with. Yamaha ? as it is an audio brand that strives for faithful/natural reproduction of performances. It is also a brand with deep heritage as an instrument maker. Its audio arm doesn't have any existing presences in the automotive space, so it'd be a growth opportunity for them. Jeep's partnership with McIntosh was genius. Both American icons. Though the younger audience likely has no idea who or what McIntosh is. But, I digress. Point is if Rivian were to co-brand again, they should take that as an inspiration, so there is additional meaning/value beyond just another co-brand; for name dropping's sake.

Rivian following Tesla's playbook is very much like how the glass roof became a thing, especially for EVs. Tesla showed the industry a cheaper way to do things that can also be perceived and sold as a premium+ feature. More profit, so everyone else does it too.

 

[White Shadow]

That makes sense. Grand Cherokee is ultimately more a road focused vehicle than the Rivians. Not that road focused is bad in anyway, but what Rivian has been attempting to pull off is a vehicle almost as capable off road as a Wrangler yet great on road like a Grand Cherokee. It's tough to play both ends of that fairly. But hopefully the new gen pulls if off better. That said...I feel my early R1T is very good. A bit more impact harshness than I would like, but at same time excellent steering feel, great highway ride, etc... jist those impacts could be a bit more dampened.

Not really. My Grand Cherokee is a Trailhawk model. Jeep put it through the Rubicon Trail bone stock and it made it undamaged. I'd put my Grand Cherokee up against any Rivian off-road. The Trailhawk models are very off-road capable.

 

[electruck]

Rivian R1s is supposed to compete with the Range Rover, no? They have a long ways to go if they can’t even produce a ride quality that is better than the Honda Pilot’s.

If all you are interested in is ride quality (which seems to be the case), then the R1 might not be the vehicle for you as Rivian has not prioritized ride quality over all else. Rivian's priorities have aligned exceedingly well with my own so I am exceptionally happy that they didn't deliver a vehicle devoid of capability or character. Honda, Toyota, really most any vehicle manufacturer these days, have resorted to making bland vehicles for fear of offending anyone. Instead of making a great product, they optimize to make as few people unhappy as possible.

I suppose I sound like I am making excuses for Rivian but I honestly can't relate to all the people complaining about ride quality.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Hey Youuber. Start by spelling out the words and then convert them to an acronym.

Funny coming from someone going by handle of ImAI.

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