R2 non-powered frunk is a mistake?

[TPL]

Our family had a chance to interact with the R2 at the Denver block party. Absolutely loved the vehicle, however it was a very hot day and trying to close the manual-only frunk was tough without getting burned on the hot paint. It was a stretch for my wife to reach and kids couldn't do it all. We use the frunk every single day in our R1 and find the powered feature really helpful. I would certainly have paid a bit more to have that feature in the R2.

Sponsored

 

[Jeremy3292]

Ironically, coming from Tesla this seems like an improved solution. If you had an R1 this seems like a downgrade.

 

[Virtio]

It would be nice if it had a strap attached to the underside to help pull it down. Had one on my 2003 4Runner and it was handy. The 4Runner also had the soft close hatch similar to the soft close frunk on the R2.

 

[Nadus]

I'm guessing you're a rare outlier who uses the frunk that often. That's a bummer for you, but I doubt 90% of owners will be in their frunk more than weekly. Rivian had to make a lot of decisions to lower the cost and complexity of the R2 so they could meet volume and price targets, and the motorized trunk and charge port were easy deletes IMO.

 

[sparked]

Was it black or a dark color? I think most people won't notice as they will be new to the brand and won't have an R1 to compare. Maybe some aftermarket option to retrofit a strap will be enough?

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I'm guessing you're a rare outlier who uses the frunk that often. That's a bummer for you, but I doubt 90% of owners will be in their frunk more than weekly. Rivian had to make a lot of decisions to lower the cost and complexity of the R2 so they could meet volume and price targets, and the motorized trunk and charge port were easy deletes IMO.

I have to agree with this sentiment. The only time we use the frunks in our Model Y and Model 3 is when we're going down to the beach house for the weekend. We'll load up the trunk first, then put whatever else won't fit in the frunk. At any other time, the trunk is used 100%.

With that said, it's a small price to pay to reach a lower price point on the R2. I wouldn't even pay $1,000 for the feature to have it fully power-operated.

 

[KBabione]

I'm a pretty heavy frunk user - I can't open my R1S tailgate with the garage door closed so the frunk is the first place I put stuff (unless it's a long trip and then I have to think about temps in the frunk). For groceries and the like? They go in the frunk. I'll miss the powered close, but not enough to worry about it.

 

[Eric9610]

In the history of owning my S and T I have maybe used the frunk 10 times in 3 years. It does suck that it's not powered but at the end of the day I do like the compromise.

 

[iamnid]

There will be after market solutions for this.

 

[ElGuano]

On the 3 Teslas we've had, we never, ever use the frunk. Manual open/close and extremely fragile hood skin (don't close it with one hand) is such a missed opportunity that they continually refuse to address (I cannot believe the new Model Y got powered....rear seat drop....over frunk)?

On the R1T, I use the frunk constantly. Open from inside, close it from inside, open from outside, close from outside. It's glorious, and so much more accessible and useful since it is powered.

I agree that powered-open and manual-close is a weird compromise, but probably the right one to make.

 

[VandalSibs]

I agree that powered-open and manual-close is a weird compromise, but probably the right one to make.

To be clear, it's not truly power open - the latch mechanism is powered, but the actual opening action is from air cylinders on the struts, like most standard hoods in other vehicles.

 

[NY_Rob]

There will be after market solutions for this.

And until something really nice like actual power down/close is available a 20 cent simple rope pull installed by the owner can bridge the gap.

 

[endress14]

Would be interesting to see usage rates for R1S vs R1T. With the truck, i have no trunk and use the frunk almost daily as the convenience is much better than the gear tunnel. I’m sure rivian knows exactly how many times the frunk is opened on every R1S and made a strategic decision.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

It would be nice if it had a strap attached to the underside to help pull it down. Had one on my 2003 4Runner and it was handy. The 4Runner also had the soft close hatch similar to the soft close frunk on the R2.

This seems like the optimal solution. Maybe a suction cup and a lanyard would work?

 

[DuoRivian]

I can u sweat and why they didn’t do this for cost. Personally use the frunk often. Would have thought a lot do given the complaints to EVs from other companies that don’t have a frunk.

Sponsored