Seeking input - R1S for a family of 5 + a dog

[connerstrong]

So, we just found out that we’re having twins and we’re currently in the “oh ****, how will we make this work?” mode. We already have a 3-yr old and a large dog. We’re a one car family with a 2022 Polestar 2.



For the past couple of years, I’ve been a Rivian admirer from afar, but I could never justify getting an R1S (price wise or size wise). I was looking forward to the R3, but now I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a 6+ seater. And I’m dead set on sticking with an EV.



Question for families in this group, particularly for those with 3+ kids. If you could do it again, would you buy an R1S? If not, then what alternative would you choose?

Sponsored

 

[Polar]

Never done it myself, but everything I’ve heard says it will be hard with two rear facing car seats.

Realistically an EV9 or Ioniq9 might make more sense especially in car seat days.

 

[Osyras]

The third row is definitely doable, but not going to be fun. The car seats would 100% have to go in the very back as there would be no way to even get back there with them installed on the second row.

I would agree that something like an EV9 or Ioniq9 would probably allow better access to that space.

 

[kanundrum]

Any kids front facing? I have two kids both rear facing and a dog and so far no issues even with someone in the middle (of the 2nd row) even with two car seats

 

[connerstrong]

Thanks! The three year old should be front facing by the time the twins arrive.

 

[kanundrum]

Thanks! The three year old should be front facing by the time the twins arrive.

Depending on your seat bulkiness you should be good. My mom and the two babies all fit in the middle row rear facing with two nuna seats which are super bulky. Dog goes on her bucket third row seat but I've had three full size adults in the middle row and 2 almost full size adults in the last row. Lots of space.

 

[Osyras]

So, we just found out that we’re having twins and we’re currently in the “oh ****, how will we make this work?” mode. We already have a 3-yr old and a large dog. We’re a one car family with a 2022 Polestar 2.



For the past couple of years, I’ve been a Rivian admirer from afar, but I could never justify getting an R1S (price wise or size wise). I was looking forward to the R3, but now I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a 6+ seater. And I’m dead set on sticking with an EV.



Question for families in this group, particularly for those with 3+ kids. If you could do it again, would you buy an R1S? If not, then what alternative would you choose?

Out Of Spec did a really good video on this a while ago:

 

[mikehmb]

So, we just found out that we’re having twins and we’re currently in the “oh ****, how will we make this work?” mode. We already have a 3-yr old and a large dog. We’re a one car family with a 2022 Polestar 2.



For the past couple of years, I’ve been a Rivian admirer from afar, but I could never justify getting an R1S (price wise or size wise). I was looking forward to the R3, but now I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a 6+ seater. And I’m dead set on sticking with an EV.



Question for families in this group, particularly for those with 3+ kids. If you could do it again, would you buy an R1S? If not, then what alternative would you choose?

We managed to do 2 kids and a dog with a GTI, a Tundra with suicide doors ('01), and a Porsche Boxster.

You shouldn't have any more trouble in the 2nd row with 2 infant seats and a kid/booster than you would in any other 3 row. Not sure there are any other options out there that will give you more width in the 2nd row, with the 3rd row / back for the pup (for now) until the older one wants to escape his/her siblings and join the dog.

 

[KBabione]

Congratulations! Although my twins are now nineteen, I continue to recommend twins to everyone who will tolerate me. Granted, the twins older sisters are 11 & 15 years older so I wasn't dealing with 3 kids under 4, but I get it.

I cannot imagine that the R1S won't work for you, but you need to level-set your expectations. My wife ordered our Sienna minivan while on bedrest in the hospital a couple weeks before the twins were born. Even with the sliding doors on each side, we had to walk around the car to put the second child in her seat. Our second car at the time was a Prius and we had to walk around it too, so it's not a size issue. We've had three adults in the 2nd row and two adults in the 3rd row many times so I'm sure you'll be find with a 3 year-old.

Our double-Bob stroller wouldn't have fit in the frunk, but it would have fit in the R1S trunk even with the 3rd row seats up. I really believe the size of the frunk plus the space behind the 3rd row will give you all of the room you need, even with a large dog. The key for the dog may to leave the 3rd row flat and find another way to harness them in the back if you don't keep a crate in the car.

 

[ATLRivvy]

We do a Nuna Rava and Uppababy Mesa (both bulkier seats) in the second row without issue. Would be tough to do 3 across though unless you specifically bought all of the narrowest seats on the market. Our dog also refuses to go in the trunk so has to have all three rows up if she is in - would be simple if she was fine in the trunk.

The issue will be that the third row isnt really accessible with two car seats in the second row so you will have to put at least one rear facing in the third row. This triggers some tetris to make the front seats comfortable. Would have to arrange so a front facing seat is in front of one of the rear facing seats to make the front passenger seat usable.

 

[Mellowyellow]

I’ve got 4 kids and it is doable. There are many variations on seating arrangements that would work. However I must say when we went from 2 to 3 kids I traded in my Q7 for a minivan. I tried to make the Q7 work but it was just too hard. For a few years we were a two minivan family. They are awesome and undefeated in terms of utility and family hauling. Zero cool factor though. When my 4th switched to forward facing that’s when we got the R1S.

 

[usulio]

R1S will not be the most convenient. The second row seats are hard to slide. But you get off road performance and a lot of storage space. You should definitely look at the EV9 but if you like adventures and don't mind some hassle then the R1S can't be beat.

 

[LR4toR1S]

Family of 4 with 2 dogs 100+ lbs.

R1S great choice you just need to survive the first 6 months of fixing things. After that perfection.

 

[McWriteface]

when it comes to 7 seats and 400+ range, the r1s and the lucid gravity are the only two options. the others are viable if you don't expect to take long trips, or live in the north, eg my kia niro loses 30% when it gets cold in michigan. it works, but i have to plug in daily.

when i was going down this ribbit hole this summer, it was the efficiency of the lucid vs the ruggedness of the rivian. i eventually opted for the r1s over the gravity due to potentially better winter handling and safety. we’ve had a couple of snows already, and it has handled like a champ.

we normally have one car seat in the middle row. we did two during a weekend sleepover. that did shut off access to the back row without going through the trunk.

i expect the lucid will do a better job of being a fam van type in general use. but now that the weather sucks, im more confident that i made the right choice for our needs.

 

[brandoncole]

Two toddlers, one 75+lb golden. One rear facing, one front facing car seat. Around town without the dog, perfect size. With the dog and no bags, it works. With bags and stroller, it only works if all bags fit in frunk/sub-trunk. Stroller can be in back with dog against the wall. If any bags have to be in the main cabin, doesn’t work well.

Two other things. 1) With car seats in second row, you can’t access the third row. 2) Third row seats have almost no padding. I can sit there for an hour tops before it gets too uncomfortable.

Lastly, with toddlers, they will kick the shit out of that 2nd row screen. It stays locked with a screen protector.

Sponsored