How big of a deal is “clunking” as R1S dual motors engage/disengage?

[owl323]

I’ve seen some discussions in the past about dual motors having a notable clunk as the R1S switches between a single motor and dual motors.

I think this would annoy me on such an expensive vehicle. I’m trying to decide whether I should go for a tri motor or stick with the dual (or maybe just use the dual motor workarounds like driving in snow mode).

Just curious how bad (or not) this clunking really is.

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[MikeWilliams_R1T]

Rivian kinda needs the money right now... you should get the Tri

Honestly, I drive a dual motor. It is not THAT bad. On my truck, it is most noticeable when you are already going highway speeds and hit the accelerator to speed up quickly. At slower speeds, I don't notice it as much. The "clunk" happens when the rear motor engages when moving, not so much when it disengages.

I think your driving style controls how much you will notice it.

I think Rivian has been tuning this over the last few OTA updates.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I have a gen 2 R1S dual performance and I haven't experienced this at all. Most of the past clunking sounds I've seen reported in the past were from early quad motor vehicles like my old R1T, but most of those went away after some software updates.

 

[Jonger1150]

The current mode will be repurposed as "Conserve" and All-Purpose will be AWD.

The key-up mode will be conserve. Just hop in the vehicle and hit All-purpose and away you go.

Probably coming within 60 days.

 

[owl323]

The current mode will be repurposed as "Conserve" and All-Purpose will be AWD.

The key-up mode will be conserve. Just hop in the vehicle and hit All-purpose and away you go.

Probably coming within 60 days.

has this been confirmed?

 

[Jonger1150]

has this been confirmed?

100% confirmed and shown.

 

[RWerksman]

I’ve seen some discussions in the past about dual motors having a notable clunk as the R1S switches between a single motor and dual motors.

I think this would annoy me on such an expensive vehicle. I’m trying to decide whether I should go for a tri motor or stick with the dual (or maybe just use the dual motor workarounds like driving in snow mode).

Just curious how bad (or not) this clunking really is.

100% a thing. As soon as you notice it, you won't be able to stop noticing it clunking. For me, it was exceptionally noticeable when coming to a bottom of a hill and starting to accelerate up the other side. 100% clunk, 100% of the time, and it seemed to get worse the longer I owned the truck.

I'm not sure if they tried to dork around with it during an update, but between that and the Driver+ not working how I hoped it would, I found it infuriating.

 

[PaythePiper]

If anyone lives in Phx and drives on the 17, you know every now and then you need some quick acceleration. In my dual max it annoys the crap out of me, especially since I get to compare it weekly to my model y. AWD can’t come soon enough

 

[Davethadog]

My wife has a gen 1 dual r1t and we share a gen 2 R1s tri. I only notice the rear motor engagement when accelerating at faster speeds but I hear less clink and more so just experience uneven acceleration. I don’t think it’s a reason to choose one over the other. Honestly I’m bummed the tri motor can’t engage and disengage the rear as seamlessly.

 

[vbaker]

I have had a 2025 Gen 2 R1S for a few months and I have never even noticed a clunk.

 

[beatle]

I think Rivian has been tuning this over the last few OTA updates.

Definitely. This wasn't a problem at all before an update early this year caused it. It has only gotten worse. I find it pretty annoying and abrupt.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

I wouldn't count on it coming in 60 days (Rivian isn't known for its adherence to specific timelines) - but it has been said to be coming S00N. As Kyle always reiterates in his videos, don't buy any vehicle on a promise of future features. Judge the purchase on how the vehicle is sold to you today.

Definitely test drive one before buying, since it's going to be a personal preference thing. I hate the clunking when in conserve on the Tri and only use it when absolutely necessary for range. It' s the reason I didn't consider dual at all for my upgrade.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

Definitely. This wasn't a problem at all before an update early this year caused it. It has only gotten worse. I find it pretty annoying and abrupt.

That makes me wonder if there are multiple generations of the Enduro drive unit. Kind of like how the subframes in the front changed part way through 2023; an improvement on one variant might be making it worse on another.

I’ve had the opposite experience on mine with the clunk over the last few updates… unless I’m popping it in sport mode while driving, or jamming the accelerator at highway speeds, I barely notice it anymore.

 

[Osyras]

I just did a 6000 mile trip and I only noticed it when I was at highway speeds and I had to accelerate quickly. Even then though it was not a loud clunk, more of gentle clunk...and not often.

 

[iamnid]

I experience it most on the highway. It feels somewhat like an automatic transmission changing gears. There's a delay, a clunk, and then more power. It's honestly not great but what worries me more than the feeling is what it's doing to the clutch back there. I'm leasing so it probably doesn't matter to me as much as I will likely get rid of it long before the clutch breaks.

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