2025 R1S Tri Max Ascend Review | Faster Than Quad?

[Electrified Outdoors]

Lots of fun making this one with @kanundrum

we do some launches, look at exterior, interior, launch Kanunrum’s Gen 1 R1S quad to compare with butt Dino, and I test the Rivian Autonomy Platform lane change on command feature. I even tested the dynamic roof.

absolutely beautiful vehicle. Your thoughts?

EDIT: Interior should be Black Mountain/Brown Ash Wood. The Slate Sky/Walnut is a two tone with the lighter colored wood.


Rivian R1S Tri Max Ascend Review | Faster Than Quad?

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[kanundrum]

The Tri Motor Difference between Original Quad is quite apparent in the 50/100ft rollout during initial launch/bite. You definitely feel that gut punching toque at launch (200tq more than OG quad).

From there the new R1S (Gen2) has that refined suspension which is about 30% more supple/softer than original R1S how ever from a sport mode perspective if you are really trying to hammer down the turns this is a downside as its softer even in sport mode so you don't get that back breaking corner carving response like you did in the original quad at launch. Probably more useful for real life/real world scenarios rather than taking it to the track(like I would) because its so much fun to just toss this hippo around!


Great time as always with @Electrified Outdoors Ken! Thanks for having me, happy to answer any driving related questions as well, sorry i didnt check out the audio at all LOL.

 

[DRJ564]

Why no drag race? I bet the quad is throttled back because of traction control since theres no launch mode. Sounds like there was more wheel spin and even some hop from the tri.

Really need to launch them side by side.

 

[Eric9610]

Once the Gen 1 Quad gets launch mode it will improve the performance even better. RJ mentioned launch mode is coming to G1 QM when the G2 QM launches. I suspect this will increase performance.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Why no drag race? I bet the quad is throttled back because of traction control since theres no launch mode. Sounds like there was more wheel spin and even some hop from the tri.

Really need to launch them side by side.

Great point. We need the track for that. This was Rivian’s vehicle and we had limited time with it. I’m seriously considering either a Tri or the new Quad motor…I haven’t decided yet. I will see if I can set something like this up in the future though as it’s a great idea.

Once the Gen 1 Quad gets launch mode it will improve the performance even better. RJ mentioned launch mode is coming to G1 QM when the G2 QM launches. I suspect this will increase performance.

I think it will improve it as well. We will have to see what they come up with. The HP is what most folks look at but the story here as @kanundrum said seems to be the extra torque available on the new Tri motor.

coming from TDI diesels (before EVs were a thing) I can agree that extra torque makes a huge difference. The HP is just a measure of how quickly the torque can be put to the wheels.

there is also more motor noise on the Tri vs the dual but still less than Gen 1 quad. I like the motor noises ?

 

[SwampNut]

I haven’t decided yet.

We all know what a Real Man(tm) would do.

 

[mkhuffman]

Great review. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I am surprised how light the Black Mountain seats looked in the video. At first I thought maybe you had Slate Sky seats, but later in the video it was obvious they are dark. Interesting.

 

[DayTripping]

Great point. We need the track for that. This was Rivian’s vehicle and we had limited time with it. I’m seriously considering either a Tri or the new Quad motor…I haven’t decided yet. I will see if I can set something like this up in the future though as it’s a great idea.


I think it will improve it as well. We will have to see what they come up with. The HP is what most folks look at but the story here as @kanundrum said seems to be the extra torque available on the new Tri motor.

coming from TDI diesels I can agree that extra torque makes a huge difference. The HP is just a measure of how quickly the torque can be put to the wheels.

there is also more motor noise on the Tri vs the dual but still less than Gen 1 quad. I like the motor noises ?

Just one simple response. There's absolutely NO REASON that I've seen yet to buy the tri rather than the new quad. I have no idea why they even made it. If the new quad is only about 10k more than the tri, it makes no sense at all. Just skip the tri and go with the quad.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Just one simple response. There's absolutely NO REASON that I've seen yet to buy the tri rather than the new quad. I have no idea why they even made it. If the new quad is only about 10k more than the tri, it makes no sense at all. Just skip the tri and go with the quad.

I can tell you why I went with the tri instead of the new quad, tires. Those staggered Michelin pilot sport S5s will just melt off the way I drive. I won't be able to change to a cheaper/more durable set because of the rim sizing. I don't feel like replacing a 2K dollar set of tires 2-4 times a year just to drive my car. The 22's I got with my tri motor can be replaced with the Michelin 119 rated tires I have on my T with 22's now that are 10 ply and last a significantly longer time. I have 20 thousand on the set, and they are still over half-life left.

If I was to swap rims on the quad and get my current tires on it what's the point of having the power if you can't put it down to the road?

 

[DayTripping]

Do what I did with my Plaid, track pack brakes, and staggered tires; just buy a set of wheels with square fitment. Problem solved. Your tire warranty isn't cut in half either as it would be when you run staggered wheels.

I am sure someone will quickly come out with a set that will clear the brakes and eliminate the stagger.

 

[922110]

Can't wait to get mine. Going for the tri over the quad as I read it has much better highway range and will probably be a bit cheaper. Honestly doubt I'm going to notice 2.9 vs 2.5 seconds much. It's already in the outrageously fast territory. Like you said, once you add the options the cost increase vs the PDM isn't that much.

 

[portdirect]

Just one simple response. There's absolutely NO REASON that I've seen yet to buy the tri rather than the new quad. I have no idea why they even made it. If the new quad is only about 10k more than the tri, it makes no sense at all. Just skip the tri and go with the quad.

I’m about to buy a Tri, as we need a truck *now*. There’s the reason would 100% get a gen2 quad if we could, but at least it looks like we won’t be taking too much of a step back from our ‘23 gen1 quad.

 

[zefram47]

Why no drag race? I bet the quad is throttled back because of traction control since theres no launch mode. Sounds like there was more wheel spin and even some hop from the tri.

Really need to launch them side by side.

The G1 Quad is traction limited at the front, which is part of the reason it's geared taller than the rear. The rear motors in the G2 Tri / Quad are more powerful than the rear G1 Quad motors and because you have more traction at the back as weight transfers rearward you can put it to full use where the G1 Quad had the same power/torque (at the motors) at all four corners. Not surprised at all that the G2 Tri is quicker than our OG trucks.

 

[DayTripping]

The G1 Quad is traction limited at the front, which is part of the reason it's geared taller than the rear. The rear motors in the G2 Tri / Quad are more powerful than the rear G1 Quad motors and because you have more traction at the back as weight transfers rearward you can put it to full use where the G1 Quad had the same power/torque (at the motors) at all four corners. Not surprised at all that the G2 Tri is quicker than our OG trucks.

I'll be the first to admit, I am a speed junkie. I also never thought I'd be at a point where I don't really see the need for more power in some of the vehicles I have. I think the G1 quad hits the mark pretty well for a daily driver. About the only place I would mind a bit more power is from about 50 mph up. It seems to flatten out like the early Tesla model 3's. They were pretty fun to 60 but fell off above that.

I don't want, or need, Plaid-like acceleration in my truck. There are very few times I can open up my Plaid on a daily basis anyway. Along with that tremendous acceleration, you need to have great breaks. I have the track pack brakes on my Plaid along with 295's at all 4 corners. So my car will whoa as well as it goes. It takes a lot to slow down a 7,000+ pound truck/SUV with even the acceleration capabilities of the Quad. If the tri motor is significantly quicker than the G1 Quad, I'd like much better tires.

One thing I am curious about the tri motor, does it do torque vectoring like the G1 quad? I assume so, but it likely won't be as effective as a quad motor setup with it since you can only do it to the rear wheels.

 

[R1Thor]

Just one simple response. There's absolutely NO REASON that I've seen yet to buy the tri rather than the new quad. I have no idea why they even made it. If the new quad is only about 10k more than the tri, it makes no sense at all. Just skip the tri and go with the quad.

?
I mean, for some people, $10k is a make-or-break budget for buying things. For one. I'm jealous of your rich-guy privelege!

Some of us aren't even considering 'upgrading' from our current gen Quads because: MONEY.
Just some perspective from some of us trying-to-not-be-egregiously-irresponsible-with-our-non-unlimited-money folks who probably fall lower in the middle class than whatever spectrum you're polling from!

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