-
Announcing our new "CLUBS" section where you can join or create a Rivian club or group! You can use this new feature to conveniently plan and discuss local events, gatherings or other club/group related topics.
So we encourage you to join (or start) special-interest and regional-based Rivian clubs at: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/group-categories/clubs-groups.1/
Sponsored
Are these cars just too damn big?
- Thread starter messinator
- Start date
- Watchers 4
r1t_kev
Well-Known Member
A bit off-topic, but I had this same thought after my first ride in a Model 3 Performance - how is this legal? And for this kind of money? Though, I had the same thoughts about a Ducati I owned too.
On size, if the OPās frame of reference is a Z4, then the R1S is huge. In relative terms, it fits in the middle of ābiggerā, but not āland yachtā.
I also think vehicle dynamics are worth considering. Active dampers, adjustable ride height, low center of gravity - these are all things that will make the R1S feel like a much smaller vehicle. Itās not going to be a Z4, but it should also be far from a lumbering mass.
Zoidz
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's definitely frame of reference. Having owned Suburbans, I personally think the R1S is close to "right size" for it's target market. If OP thinks it's too large on the highway, that's their perspective, and you have to decide if you can adjust to it, or wait for the R2D2 or whatever the next generation of smaller Rivians will be called.
From my perspective, I grew up in a family owned construction company and drove dump trucks as a teen. I still drive large trucks on occasion, one of my companies has an 18 foot Isuzu NPR box truck (overall length about 24 feet), and sometimes we need to rent a 26 foot Penske - nobody else will drive it, so I do it. That truck is about 32 feet long. I'm very comfortable driving these trucks, wanna talk about filling the lane, lol? When I get back into my Avalanche, it feels tiny.
Sgt Beavis
Well-Known Member
I went and looked it up. The QX80 is 79.9 inches without mirrors. The R1S is 81.8" with the mirrors folded. A Ford Explorer is 78.9 inches, excluding the mirrors. So yea, the R1S is a pretty big puppy.
But size is relative. A Chevy Tahoe is 81" without mirrors but it longer. My old Ford Raptor was 86.6" without the mirrors.
Believe me when I say, you can get used to the size. My wife is a tiny little Japanese lady that grew up riding in tiny cars. She had no problem driving my Raptor and currently drives a Jeep Wrangler than has a 3.5" lift and 37" tires. The hardest part of living with my Raptor was putting it into the garage. I had less than 3" of clearance on each side. It only took me a week to get used to backing it into the garage.
The R1S is a big boy, but anyone can comfortably handle it.
But size is relative. A Chevy Tahoe is 81" without mirrors but it longer. My old Ford Raptor was 86.6" without the mirrors.
Believe me when I say, you can get used to the size. My wife is a tiny little Japanese lady that grew up riding in tiny cars. She had no problem driving my Raptor and currently drives a Jeep Wrangler than has a 3.5" lift and 37" tires. The hardest part of living with my Raptor was putting it into the garage. I had less than 3" of clearance on each side. It only took me a week to get used to backing it into the garage.
The R1S is a big boy, but anyone can comfortably handle it.
Sponsored
LeoH
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately with a large family, I am in a bind and can't take a T. Even though I drove the T and I love it!
fotoflux
Well-Known Member
Ford Explorer: 199ā³ L x 79ā³ W x 70ā³ H
Rivian R1S: 201" L x 82" W x 77" H (max suspension)
So 2 inches wider and 3 inches longer than one of the most popular 3 row SUVs isn't a deal breaker. Sure, would it have been great if they could've been a couple inches more narrow or shorter, yeah. But, extra inches mean more leg room, and more shoulder room. It's not a bad thing IMO.
I have a narrow driveway, which is problematic, but I mean, these things can park themselves right?
Rivian R1S: 201" L x 82" W x 77" H (max suspension)
So 2 inches wider and 3 inches longer than one of the most popular 3 row SUVs isn't a deal breaker. Sure, would it have been great if they could've been a couple inches more narrow or shorter, yeah. But, extra inches mean more leg room, and more shoulder room. It's not a bad thing IMO.
I have a narrow driveway, which is problematic, but I mean, these things can park themselves right?
ads75
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2021
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 1,408
- Reaction score
- 2,636
- Location
- Reading, Pennsylvania
- Vehicles
- 2019 Jeep Wrangler 2DR, 2022 R1T
- Occupation
- Utilities
I really like the size of my 2 door Wrangler, I would love for Rivian to do something in that size range. Unfortunately based on sales of 2 door vs 4 door Wranglers (and probably Broncos also), I doubt Rivian will make something that size (I can always hope).
Overall, I think I would prefer something smaller than the R1T/R1S also, but unfortunately that isn't what Rivian is offering right now. So I will make do with a R1T for now. I would guess I would buy a smaller version of a R1S if they offered it (maybe what Georgia will build).
Overall, I think I would prefer something smaller than the R1T/R1S also, but unfortunately that isn't what Rivian is offering right now. So I will make do with a R1T for now. I would guess I would buy a smaller version of a R1S if they offered it (maybe what Georgia will build).
CommodoreAmiga
Well-Known Member
I really want to see one in-person and drive it. I like larger vehicles... But the pictures I've seen of people driving R1Ts make them look WAY smaller than a full size truck.
Sgt Beavis
Well-Known Member
It is smaller. Mostly in length. I also think that the lowest setting of the air suspension makes it look smaller. Just compare the dimesions with an F150 and then a Ford Ranger. You'll see that it slots in between them.
Sponsored
crashmtb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2021
- Threads
- 0
- Messages
- 4,649
- Reaction score
- 7,123
- Location
- Man oh Manitoba
- Vehicles
- 2002 aluminium garden shed TD5
all cars/trucks are bigger now. A hinds civic is the same soze as an accord from a few generations ago, for example.
My Land Rover is barely bigger in terms of length/width than my Ford Focus.
My Land Rover is barely bigger in terms of length/width than my Ford Focus.
OP
OP
messinator
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #27
Actually, I shouldāve made this a bit clearer but Iād really like some references from people who have driven it - does it drive true to size? Does the EV HP & 4 motor braking fool you on the weights? Turning radius? Etc. Particularly the low center of gravity may be a huge game changer.
Last edited:
OP
OP
messinator
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #28
Yeah totally. Iām the appointed rental truck driver on moving day and can handle it fine but navigating the double-parked streets of Seattle is still more mental capacity than Iād care for. Maybe I just āget used to itā on the r1. ĀÆ\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
CommodoreAmiga
Well-Known Member
I was referring to the interior, which seems much more narrow. Compact/midsize suv small ā not full-size truck big.
Chris S
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Chris
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2020
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 81
- Reaction score
- 92
- Location
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Vehicles
- '18 Model 3 Perf, '19 MX-5 Club, '22 Model Y Perf
- Occupation
- REALTOR
The R1S is smaller than the R1T. An R1T would actually fit my needs better, but it won't fit in my garage. I also have some concerns about long-term reliability and durability of the powered tonneau cover and tunnel doors.
FYI, you can easily log into your account and change your reservation from a T to an S or vice versa. No need to swap reservations. I've changed probably 10 times by now.
I'm from Texas and have no need for a Texas-sized vehicle! Even Texas has tight trails that don't care what state you're in.Iām from Texas so Iām worried itās too small.
Sponsored
