Rivian R1T vs R1S - Out of Spec Hill Climb Challenge + Family Review

[jclicky]

Yaaaas, @OutofSpecKyle delivers, thanks man for the “totally awesome” killer off-road analysis comparing the R1T & R1S:




But honestly, best review from them yet is the FULL family review, like all the YouTube comments pointed out, none of the other advertisement/reviews on YouTube went any deeper than just reciting features; this is the first one I’ve seen cramming as many people in as possible.

In particular I like how you interacted respectfully with the whole family, including the kids (even asking them if they could feel the rear vents), noticing thinks like the sharp angle of the edge of the tailgate when down.

The video does a great job of really making clear what you loose on the shorter length vs. the R1T; argues for a 5-seater on that wheelbase & a longer-bed 7-seater XL R1S:




Also, he fit the undersized spare in the frunk!

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[Guy]

Interesting review. I would like to see if six to seven adults (not all 6’) can fit in.

If you have young children like this family then the minivan wins hands down. Much bigger trunk, about 8-10” more legroom and easier access to third row. In the S the double stroller took the entire trunk and the frunk was basically the spare tire and charging cables. This vehicle is better suited for when kids don’t need strollers or super large car seat - so 7 plus maybe. The minivan is not as much fun but is $50k cheaper which matters to most people.

The S does about as well as its competitive set which is the Highlander, Pilot etc. I agree with Kyle a 210” or so vehicle with some extra third row space and rear cargo space would be a good option.

I found it interesting Kyle was very positive like there was good room in the third row yet the mother very quickly said the child was uncomfortable as she couldn’t stretch her legs. Rivian have done a good job but don’t I wish people like Kyle were not so positive bad to be blind to deficiencies.

 

[zipzag]

The ID buzz will help the minivans return to popularity. The floor plan flexibility shown by the Odyssey will be even better in a same size ground up EV.

 

[RivianNowPlz]

The rear facing child seat is a common piece amongst this segment. I had 3 boys, our Explorer & Durango we had during their younger years was simply uncomfortable in any position other than putting the rear facing in the middle, it was a must so I expected as much out of the R1S since they share similar leg room in the 2nd row.

I would say that captain chairs may have fixed this a touch. The Subaru Ascent we purchased right before we switched our youngest around front facing replaced our Explorer and had captain chairs and we didn’t have any issues.

 

[zipzag]

I do suspect that the Out of Spec video was a bit of a reality check for growing family hoping for a big vehicle in the R1S. It's easy to be a bit dismissive of families driving Suburbans and minivans until one is faced with the realities of multiple small children. Then a large church van begins to seem reasonable.

A longer wheelbase R1S XL may not be as pretty, but an extra 18" behind the third row is desirable for many families. The Rivian marketing people probably cringed a bit when the giant stroller didn't fit in the back of the vehicle.

 

[Tahoe Man]

Looks it's too small to fit the kids and car seats.

But I'd rather prefer him to tell the family to drive to another city a couple hundred miles away on a cold day and back you'll need them to stop at least twice to charge. Tell them, you'll only be filming them, not offering any advice on what to do or where or how to charge.

Then ask them to write their thoughts a few days later, not to tell you in person to avoid bias or be influenced and you'll read their thoughts to the audience.

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