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evdriver2016

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Model X and S going to Rivian R1S and Macan 4
It’s so Carmax can sell loaded Toyotas.
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gultin

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The comparison seemed fair and objective to me. The DM R1T certainly seemed to struggle up the hill. Although that's the base model R1T, given they aren't too far apart in pricing, I can see how they may get cross-shopped with that Taco for some folks. The DM R1T may be a better all-rounder (which could be more important to many), but the Taco clearly has it beat at off-roading.

Disclaimer: I own a QM R1T and like to call a spade just that and nothing more, nothing less.
 

mikehmb

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My name is Mike, and I have a (car) problem
Lockers would be great on the dual-motor trucks, but wheel lockup would work pretty well.

I've had several trucks that were ABS-based and they worked remarkably well. Ironically, all Toyotas.

Still prefer mechanical lockers because I'm An Old.
 

tmmcgee

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How to set up a Rivian R1T to lose: don’t use soft sand mode in a low traction situation when going up a hill with loose rocks and putting suspension on highest for an articulation contest.
I am pretty sure that the DM do not have all of the modes that the Quads come with. Looking at the price of slightly used Quads though makes them look like the obvious answer to me. I’ve tackled tons of trails in my Quad and love it. Drift Mode alone is worth the price of admission.
 

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JeromePowell

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Does not surprise me based on my Quad Motor experiences off road. Rivian just has not dialed in their traction modes as well as Land Rover, Toyota, Jeep, even Nissan. I would love to blame the limitation on their motors but I think it's really programming for brake-torque traction control.

My R1T Launch Edition straight sucked off road even on moderate trails. It basically would dig holes and fling rocks rather than applying correct torque based on terrain conditions. I also noticed wheels without traction would continually spin.

I really expected an amazingly precise off road experience due to the individual wheel drive. What I learned is that mechanical lockers are generally superior along with a low range transfer case for precision and control; as slow as possible, fast as necessary approach.

I really want Rivian to do well but if they have not figured out how to make a smooth traction control system for multiple terrains by now,, they should just do mechanical lockers and maybe even a gear reduction like the new G-Wagon EV.
 

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I have found with my dual motor (non performance) that you have to avoid the instinct to let off when a tire spins a bit, or the traction control doesn't have time to work. When a tire starts spinning you have to press further on the accelerator and unlike a gas vehicle which will excessively spin the tires, the rivian will add more traction control and clamp down more on the spinning tires. I do hope it improves more over time though and reduce the amount of tire spin. Land rover seems to have their system dialed where not much wheel spin happens even on open diff vehicles. Also driving offroad with the suspension in highest rides bad and cause the vehicle to hop quickly when there's tire spin.
 

JeromePowell

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I have found with my dual motor (non performance) that you have to avoid the instinct to let off when a tire spins a bit, or the traction control doesn't have time to work. When a tire starts spinning you have to press further on the accelerator and unlike a gas vehicle which will excessively spin the tires, the rivian will add more traction control and clamp down more on the spinning tires. I do hope it improves more over time though and reduce the amount of tire spin. Land rover seems to have their system dialed where not much wheel spin happens even on open diff vehicles. Also driving offroad with the suspension in highest rides bad and cause the vehicle to hop quickly when there's tire spin.
Have owned an L322 Range Rover 5.0 V8, L663 Defender 110 2.0 I4 Turbo, and L405 Range Rover Supercharged 5.0 SCV8.

Land Rover's system is so good it feels like you are cheating; even on the much older models. They are the only vehicles I have owned that I would say do not require rear and front locking differentials. The L405 had an automatic locking rear electronic differential, however, the brake torque traction control is so good you never feel that you "need" it.

Land Rover gives that uber slow, smooth, precision control along with great sight lines and in some cases, great cameras and angles.
 

HaveBlue

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I'd say the rivian traction control is about as good as Toyota's atrac in my testing. Toyota's still have a beam axle and you can't discount the amount of weight transfer that imparts compared to ifs irs. Even worse when she ran it in highest with no droop left. The camera doesn't capture well the grade and size of obstacles but still, they are running the absolute bunny slopes of hammer town.

Rivian also has some serious issues on rutted descents. With Regen enabled as a wheel lifts, all Regen is gone and the vehicle lurches down the hill.

Rovers are on another level for traction control with open difs. Truly amazing but there's going to be a limit where only locking difs can go.
 

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not an apples-apples comparison, but my dual motor (non-performance) S did fine on a moderate trail. There were slopes with equal gradient and slippery rocks (rain/light snow the night before). It was my first time off-roading as well so maybe I was doing something “wrong”
 

HaveBlue

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not an apples-apples comparison, but my dual motor (non-performance) S did fine on a moderate trail. There were slopes with equal gradient and slippery rocks (rain/light snow the night before). It was my first time off-roading as well so maybe I was doing something “wrong”
If it got you where you needed to go, mission accomplished. All said and done you won't be taking many other EVs off-road. The short list of trucks along with the even shorter list of capable SUVs makes the r1s special and totally sufficient for trails.
 

Vantripping

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Modes, modes modes. With all of the sophistication and data these vehicles have: speed, location, road info, weather, wheel spin, motor torque, motor speed, throttle and steering positions, etc, etc, etc, vehicles should not have any modes--just drive and it figures out how to keep traction and make it safe. I don't have to choose a mode for the steering or brakes to work. ABS just works, in all conditions, and the computers with input from sensors figure out what is best far faster than a human. I know we want to blame the reviewer for choosing the wrong mode, but let's face reality--the Rivian is an incredibly sophisticated vehicle with more than enough information and processing power and with the ability to control wheel speed in any condition. It's hard to face the reality that even after several years of tens of thousands vehicles in regular operational use across all conditions, and regular software updates, that Rivian still doesn't adequately control wheel spin. This can only be based on obstinate management decisions and not on car and company capabilities to limit wheel spin and maintain forward progress. Especially embarrassing for a company that sells off-road capability and lifestyle. Modes are only to make the user feel like the vehicle has more capability, but the pudding is the reality of this video and other real-world experiences regardless of mode.
 

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I've played around on some spots that cross up the axles and lift a tire. As the tire is spinning I'm slowly pressing the accelerator further and you can see how the tire doesn't spin wildly out of control. Snow and offroad mode both get through this spot but there's definitely a difference in pedal mapping.

Rivian R1T R1S Edmunds' 2025 Gen2 R1T Dual Motor vs. Tacoma TRD Pro Off-Road Comparison 20250117_082946

 
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I've played around on some spots that cross up the axles and lift a tire. As the tire is spinning I'm slowly pressing the accelerator further and you can see how the tire doesn't spin wildly out of control. Snow and offroad mode both get through this spot but there's definitely a difference in pedal mapping.

20250117_082946.jpg

Appreciate the videos.

That has been my experience as well, some wheel slip on the unloaded wheel but then the brakes progressively grab more until the vehicle starts moving or the opposite wheel also slips. I wonder if there isn't enough torque available or more than the system can transfer using braking in more extreme situations like the rock crawl attempts in the Edmunds video?
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