No more cubbies under armrest in 3rd row. Replaced by cupholders in 2025 R1S Gen2

[Scoiatael]

I posted this in another thread, but thought it deserved its own thread. I took delivery of my 2025 PDM Large+ R1S on Friday, vin in 55xxx. It seems Rivian has stealth deleted the cubbies and put cupholders there now. I'm pretty disappointed since my daughter could have stored her stuff in there.

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[Electron]

That sucks. Literally about to order a Gen 2. Not a deal breaker, but annoying.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Whoa! My gen1 has usb c ports in the cubbies. It looks like maybe usb c ports still there?

 

[Paradigm_Shift]

I am curious how much savings / increased profit these changes actually provide. I would guess it is quite small and nearly all Rivian buyers would just pay another hundred or two for the truck if given the choice. It's one thing to make unseen mods that increase profit without affecting quality /performance, but it's another thing all together to make these mods to components that owners interact with every day that reduce perceived quality and value. Rivian's price point is decidedly premium and this and the door handle change may seem minor but come across as "cheap" relative to Audi /Range Rover. Even a $50k KIA has metal door handles but a $100k+ Rivian has black plastic..... and no cubbies for second row

 

[sub]

Yes very disappointing. I was hoping if they redesigned that area they would remove the armrests entirely.

1 - every time I load something big in the back I have to be careful not to damage the armrests. Not only do they protrude, they are more fragile than the other surfaces back there.

2 - without arm rests, there would be room for 48-in wide cargo.

3 - no one sitting in the 3rd row is going to complain about not having armrests. kids don't care, and adults are going to be too annoyed by the lack of leg room and difficulty getting in to be annoyed by a lack of armrests.

The third row cubbies are cool, but the vehicle would be even better without anything in that space.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

Yes very disappointing. I was hoping if they redesigned that area they would remove the armrests entirely.

1 - every time I load something big in the back I have to be careful not to damage the armrests. Not only do they protrude, they are more fragile than the other surfaces back there.

2 - without arm rests, there would be room for 48-in wide cargo.

3 - no one sitting in the 3rd row is going to complain about not having armrests. kids don't care, and adults are going to be too annoyed by the lack of leg room and difficulty getting in to be annoyed by a the lack of armrests.

The third row cubbies are cool, but the vehicle would be even better without anything in that space.

Remember William Shatner in the hump seat in the back of the Rivian going to the rocket launch? He looked so annoyed

 

[SoCal Rob]

It's one thing to make unseen mods that increase profit without affecting quality /performance, but it's another thing all together to make these mods to components that owners interact with every day that reduce perceived quality and value. Rivian's price point is decidedly premium and this and the door handle change may seem minor but come across as "cheap" relative to Audi /Range Rover. Even a $50k KIA has metal door handles but a $100k+ Rivian has black plastic.....

On the Gen 2 R1 the electric door release buttons are what the driver and front seat passenger interact with regularly. The black plastic handles are emergency releases to be used if there is a failure of some sort which prevents the electric release from working. The intent is that most people with a Gen 2 R1 will never need use them so they were invented to blend with the interior. The 2nd row doors also have electric releases, but the emergency mechanical releases are hidden better.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Remember William Shatner in the hump seat in the back of the Rivian going to the rocket launch? He looked so annoyed

That was in the 2nd row of an R1T and not the 3rd row of an R1S.


edit:added link to tweet with a picture

 

[SlaterGS]

Having just cleaned out my kids cubbies in the back, I'm going to be that guy and say I won't miss them being gone as they accumulate junk and are not actually used.
They end up using their cupholder and it's easier to see and take whatever is in there when they leave.
I'd prefer the new direction or ideally what @sub suggested.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

That was in the 2nd row of an R1T and not the 3rd row of an R1S.


edit:added link to tweet with a picture

Exactly! (Notice no one’s using the armrests.)

 

[MidnightM00N]

Feels like a compromise that hurts both ends of the opinion spectrum. There’s still “leather” exposed to get all beat up with the seats folded for cargo and it’s way less useful for people when the seats are up.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Exactly! (Notice no one’s using the armrests.)

I think that Shatner would have more space if the man on the right in the picture DID use the armrest, though. It looks like having his arm on the door cap is forcing his upper body away from the door and towards Shatner. I think the hip room for those three people is the real issue in this picture, though.

 

[Vik]

Thanks for posting. I just took delivery of a 2025 PDM at 56xxx and have the same no cubbie third row arm rest. Not sure how I feel about it since we will not regularly use the third row. Seems like wasted space now.

 

[Paradigm_Shift]

It is dumb to hide an emergency release / safety device especially for the second row where children are likely to be seated. If it is visible it should be designed to present to the occupants in a way that speaks to the quality of the vehicle. Teslas interiors look like garbage to my eyes and I truly would never buy one because of that. Rivian obviously made an effort to create an interior environment that did not come across as merely an appliance but one that is evocative with beautiful materials and finishes. I am simply saying that this change flys in the face of that.

On the Gen 2 R1 the electric door release buttons are what the driver and front seat passenger interact with regularly. The black plastic handles are emergency releases to be used if there is a failure of some sort which prevents the electric release from working. The intent is that most people with a Gen 2 R1 will never need use them so they were invented to blend with the interior. The 2nd row doors also have electric releases, but the emergency mechanical releases are hidden better.

 

[Tikiman71]

I have a mutant! My Gen 2 (VIN 51XXX) still has cubbies. Dynamic assembly line and parts “refining” in play…

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