Rivian buy back: what should my next vehicle be?

[narmstrong79]

What are your needs ?

3 row: Hyundai EV9
Cross-over : Mach-E
More Sedan: Lucid Air (used)

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[RivianRiverRat]

Hey!
I’ve lurked here for many years, but my time with Rivian is coming to an a sad but optimistic end.

After 11 different trips to the service center and over 4 months of SC stays, Rivian is buying back my R1T. I can’t trust it anymore. I still love the thing but I won’t be holding the bag when the warranty is up.

looking for an SUV- anyone like me who has made the jump, or if you HAD to jump….In which vehicle would you land? Don’t say Tesla.

HummerEV maybe

 

[Chirocam]

I agree!! We just went to the car show in Chicago to look at everything available. There really is not anything like the Rivian. Both performance wise and nice interior and off road capable. I think the Lucid Gravity is the closest but definitely is not something I would take off road. Really quite different from the R1S. I have had my R1T for two and a half years and 60,000 miles and had only a couple minor issues one being the 12 volt battery replaced which is not uncommon the other a window needed adjusting for wind noise. I think forums typically skew peoples thinking because of the number of issues posted. If it is working good no one posts about it.

I agree re: skewed perspective. Unfortunately, my perspective includes two hydraulic failures, an airbag failure, replaced front axle, paint issues, 12v battery, a failed motor, and an additional suspension issue I don’t recall the exact details of.
Easily $30-40k of covered repairs and $7k in rentals.

 

[Chirocam]

HummerEV maybe

it’s on my list!

 

[Chewy734]

Lucid Gravity?

 

[Chirocam]

What are your needs ?

3 row: Hyundai EV9
Cross-over : Mach-E
More Sedan: Lucid Air (used)

I’m going back to an SUV. And very likely going back to ICE since there isn’t a close R1 equivalent in another brand.

I don’t NEED anything but I’d like something on the more luxury end.

thinking Porsche Cayenne, Escalade, X5/X7, GLE/GLS AMG, etc.

 

[narmstrong79]

I’m going back to an SUV. And very likely going back to ICE since there isn’t a close R1 equivalent in another brand.

I don’t NEED anything but I’d like something on the more luxury end.

thinking Porsche Cayenne, Escalade, X5/X7, GLE/GLS AMG, etc.

Of those options, I'd lean towards the Porsche, maybe even the Macan .

 

[Dave Cundiff]

We had build quality issues on both our Rivians. Nothing dangerous, but multiple trips to Portland SC (which has been excellent throughout our Rivian experience).

This winter (2024-2025) we've had equivalent miles of driving, but no significant problems.

I think when there are initial problems with a specific vehicle, they tend to improve over time. Possible reasons include "regression toward the mean" (unusual phenomena tend not to persist) or a tendency for build problems to surface early if they're going to surface at all.

Everyone's mileage may vary, though.... @Chirocam, I know you'll do what feels best for you.

Very best wishes!

 

[iansriv]

I’m going back to an SUV. And very likely going back to ICE since there isn’t a close R1 equivalent in another brand.

I don’t NEED anything but I’d like something on the more luxury end.

thinking Porsche Cayenne, Escalade, X5/X7, GLE/GLS AMG, etc.

Porsche Mecan EV?

 

[portdirect]

My R1T is a ‘22. The fact that they’re buying it back surprised me but also tells me what the truck has put me through isn’t typical… but I can’t/wont get bitten twice

This resonates hard. If I'd not been looking for another truck, Id certainly have moved on - as there are several options around. Have you thought about an EX90? If it had been available, it would have been somthing we would have seriously looked at next to an R1S. The Hummer is also worth a look - though I hate GM software, if the last round of fixes on our replacement R1T didn't seem to have got things to where they should be, its probably where I would have ended up.

 

[DayTripping]

I'd be in the Gravity camp first if no serious offroading. Next would be the Macan EV but they are pretty tiny inside. I've driven my friend's ICE Macan and it isn't very roomy.

 

[StefanPetrut]

You do have some options it looks like

Trucks- the GM Twins (Silverado EV and Sierra EV)
SUV (offroad) - Hummer EV, maybe buy a used car and wait for Scout to come out?
Luxury/sport EV- BMW IX M60 and Lucid Gravity as a few others have said.

For ICE alternatives, a GLE/GLS AMG would be a good alternative but if you're looking 63's, they also aren't the most reliable (I used to work for Mercedes) especially now that they're Mild Hybrids. BMW X5 M60i or X5M Comp are great, but the ride in the X5M is super stiff and the car really leans into sport (the M60i is great though). If you want a sleeper, the GLE 580 is insane, V8 power without a shouty exterior. There's also a Land Rover Defender V8 but....... we all know the issues there.

Porches are a good compromise but to get similar performance to an R1 you'd have to go Turbo+ which is well into the mid to high $100k range. They do have hybrid options though which can give you EV commutes and gas powered fun times.

 

[smunro622]

Lucid Gravity?

Would of been my thought also, Media embargo was lifted yesterday and lots of great reviews.

 

[StefanPetrut]

Oh! I forgot, I was looking at these before I got my R1T,

Audi SQ7 and Sq8. An insane amount of bang for your buck. The RSQ8 is also incredible but the SQ8 is like 80% there for a lot less money.

 

[Doug]

Lexus TX plug in hybrid if you are going for efficiency and still want an SUV and have short commutes for the all-electric portion. Not sure how powerful it is and will definitely be slow coming from a Rivian.

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