How many R1 owners are moving to R2?

[DuoRivian]

The only change they've admitted is lidar and RAP1. Look at how much changed with R1 gen 2 - cameras, computers, matrix headlights, UWB keys, heat pump, the whole suspension, etc. and they didn't hint at any of that until it was ready to go to market despite that kind of redesign taking years of development on the back-end. What have they done to earn your blind faith in this regard?

I suspect at least that the door handles will be fixed in the gen 2. With China banning electric handles Europe is sure to follow, and Tesla has already switched to a dual-action mechanical handle in their robotaxi prototype which means it's likely to come through to 3 and Y sooner rather than later. Rivian surely sees the writing on the wall, and Wassym let it slip at one point that they're "working on it" yet the launch edition has the same setup as the gen 2 R1. I at least sure hope they do...

Add to that the EPA certification documents indicating the launch edition wouldn't get the redesigned heat pump right away - that wasn't a "misprint", at best it was just outdated information and they've gotten the heat pump squared away in time after all, but it still points to the fact that the gen 1 R2 is a bit of a trial run that they're figuring out on the fly, same as the gen 1 R1.

That shouldn't really be so contentious, given it's a new model on a new line that won't even be produced for a full year before it's superseded. Everything improves over time and "buy it for what it can do today" etc. etc. and I think the launch edition will still be a great car, but I also think you'd be foolish to trade down from an R1 for a three-quarters-baked launch edition.

Gen 2 R1 was an upgrade over 2 years after R1 debuted. That’s quite different to saying within 9 months of R2 being released (of which they have had several years to design) there are going to be major changes worthy of a Gen 2 type moniker. ADAS is the only change (we will ignore paint and interior colors as we progress through model years). The battery, motors, heat pump, cameras, infotainment chip, and general interior and exterior design will stay the same. It would be stupid to tool up in 2026 to then change abruptly a year later.

I agree things change over time but what I don’t like is FUD putting some people off purchasing this year because of some potential secret set of changes that some how Rivian didn’t manage to design in during 2023, 2024 or 2025. The basic design which has really not changed other than the charge port location was shown over two years ago.

Even R1 is essentially the same design inside and out

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[srkz]

Gen 2 R1 was an upgrade over 2 years after R1 debuted. That’s quite different to saying within 9 months of R2 being released (of which they have had several years to design) there are going to be major changes worthy of a Gen 2 type moniker.

The Gen 1 R1S wasn't widely available until Spring of 2023, barely a year before they announced the massive gen 2 overhaul in June 2024. I'd say they have a pretty good track record of announcing major overhauls shortly after launching a model. And Rivian is the one calling it the "Gen 3 compute platform".

I agree things change over time but what I don’t like is FUD putting some people off purchasing this year because of some potential secret set of changes that some how Rivian didn’t manage to design in during 2023, 2024 or 2025.

I mean, Gen 3 compute platform is not a secret, and it's not that they haven't managed to design it it's that they haven't managed to get it working and deliverable yet. They're launching with whatever they have ready because they need cash flow now rather than admitting that the "real version" with Gen 3 compute (and whatever else they haven't mentioned yet) is delayed. They did the same thing with the R1S. Sweeping the "launch edition" 2023 R1S quad under the rug with a "launch edition" 2026 R1S quad should be pretty telling that they knew the Gen 1 was a stopgap and not the product they actually wanted to bring to market.

I guess we'll find out in 2027.

 

[windblowlc]

I will never move from R1 to R2. I will go R1 and R2 as soon as I can get one.

 

[RivAW]

I don't necessarily care about LIDAR etc.....but I won't realistically be interested in going from R1 to R2 until there is a tri motor variant that can beat my heavy, boxy R1T (on big all terrain tires) from 0-60...then I'd consider it...

 

[windblowlc]

I will go from R2 dual to R2 Tri as soon as I can get one. My Quad is still king.

 

[R1Tacoma]

Torn because I love my truck, it's had no issues that give me enough cause to worry about reliability, and it's fairly cheap to own (Insurance is way less than I thought it would be and RTA exempt in Washington!). But at the end of the day, I just don't need a truck and the R2 is the perfect size for me.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

Keeping the R1T
Selling the Diesel Camper Van :-(
Buying the R2 once the Lidar version is released

The R2 has some heavy competition so not sure how it will play out in the end.

 

[DuoRivian]

The Gen 1 R1S wasn't widely available until Spring of 2023, barely a year before they announced the massive gen 2 overhaul in June 2024. I'd say they have a pretty good track record of announcing major overhauls shortly after launching a model. And Rivian is the one calling it the "Gen 3 compute platform".



I mean, Gen 3 compute platform is not a secret, and it's not that they haven't managed to design it it's that they haven't managed to get it working and deliverable yet. They're launching with whatever they have ready because they need cash flow now rather than admitting that the "real version" with Gen 3 compute (and whatever else they haven't mentioned yet) is delayed. They did the same thing with the R1S. Sweeping the "launch edition" 2023 R1S quad under the rug with a "launch edition" 2026 R1S quad should be pretty telling that they knew the Gen 1 was a stopgap and not the product they actually wanted to bring to market.

I guess we'll find out in 2027.

I am taking the R1 gen 1 as starting in late 2021 and available for consumers from early 2022. So it is over two years.
They did the R1 Quad Gen 2 launch edition because it was a special model. By your own logic with them not doing a launch edition Gen 2 in 2024 means it was NOT a major change.

They have had time and learnings to get R2 where they wanted it with the exception of version 3 ADAS which gets people to L4 autonomy in the 2028 to 2032 timeframe (listen to some of the recent RJ interviews). I am sure RAP2 will be out before then so just keep delaying purchase!!

They are not tooling up to then make major changes in less than a year - as with R1 the overall design will stay the same for many years.

 

[Jabbahop]

50/50. Day 1 reservation. Just need to figure out if there is enough room for our lab and our gear for our cross country drives. Day to day, r2 will be fine for us i think.

 

[srkz]

They are not tooling up to then make major changes in less than a year - as with R1 the overall design will stay the same for many years.

I'm not arguing anything about tool and die or the overall design. My R1T looks the same as a gen 2 R1T but virtually everything electronic is different and upgraded under the hood.

They have had time and learnings to get R2 where they wanted it with the exception of version 3 ADAS

If we know that they missed the deadline for Gen 3 Autonomy, and we know that they almost missed the deadline for the redesigned heat pump, and we know that they missed the deadline to re-design the interior door handles (which despite Wassym's attempt to retcon on reddit is something that Bloomberg reported they are aware of being a problem internally and are working on a solution which doesn't seem to be present in the launch edition R2), and we know that they're only releasing one of many models/trims with limited options and availability for the first 6-ish months and then new trims with new motor and battery and autonomy and interior and lidar will be available after that point... what makes you so confident that there aren't more things on the "almost but not quite ready yet" list that they're just not talking about? It's just a lot of blind faith in the face of a *lot* of evidence to the contrary and a track record of them doing exactly this with their first SUV.

 

[the.phd]

I'm not arguing anything about tool and die or the overall design. My R1T looks the same as a gen 2 R1T but virtually everything electronic is different and upgraded under the hood.



If we know that they missed the deadline for Gen 3 Autonomy, and we know that they almost missed the deadline for the redesigned heat pump, and we know that they missed the deadline to re-design the interior door handles (which despite Wassym's attempt to retcon on reddit is something that Bloomberg reported they are aware of being a problem internally and are working on a solution which doesn't seem to be present in the launch edition R2), and we know that they're only releasing one of many models/trims with limited options and availability for the first 6-ish months and then new trims with new motor and battery and autonomy and interior and lidar will be available after that point... what makes you so confident that there aren't more things on the "almost but not quite ready yet" list that they're just not talking about? It's just a lot of blind faith in the face of a *lot* of evidence to the contrary and a track record of them doing exactly this with their first SUV.

can we just stop fighting? there's going to be changes at some point but its just insane the bickering going on over it right now.

 

[rogerspix]

The points brought up in this thread have probably been helpful for the OP. I feel better informed. I'm more inclined now to keep my R1 for the entirety of the 3-yr lease and look at R2 (or R3?) after.

 

[Fmc]

I have come to the conclusion that any EV I buy will be dated by the time I own it. Technology moves fast. Most of my gen1 complaints are solved by comma. R2 solves a size problem if I do not need a 3rd row. The financial implications are about even. My trade-in MIGHT cover the cost of a new R2 and extend my warranty length by a few years. But my r1 is plenty capable of my day to day use and other than the HVAC clog my gen1 has been pretty reliable

 

[DuoRivian]

The points brought up in this thread have probably been helpful for the OP. I feel better informed. I'm more inclined now to keep my R1 for the entirety of the 3-yr lease and look at R2 (or R3?) after.

Don’t give in to unsubstantiated FUD in making your decision.
If you don’t care about potentially having L4 autonomy sometime in the 2030s then now reason to delay.

 

[LindsayVW]

In this same debate personally. I have a 2023 Quad Large I've had for a couple of years with 45k on it now. Is my dream spec (Rivian Blue / Ocean Coast and 22 Sport Darks).

Have a day 1 R2 Reservation.

However, am torn between going to a Gen 2 Dual Max Performance with Premium Audio or R2 Launch.

Obsessed with the Rivian Elevation audio system in my Gen 1 (Vin 16XXXX) and also have little to no complaints about highway assist (not as many nags as Gen 2 on and off UHF).

Curious what thoughts are on here.

Have been fortunate to have had a lot of time with Gen 2's and share all the same complaints as most on the sound system. Haven't heard it after the latest update. My biggest complaint has always been the tin / almost ear piercing sound when on calls / listening to podcasts if anyone knows what I mean.

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