March Build R1S California Dune Edition - My Review (former Model S owner)

[R1SCD]

Recently took delivery of my R1S Tri Max California Dune. Loving it so far. Its my first Rivian and SUV and I'm really enjoying the ride height. I find myself driving much slower in the R1S then I did with my Model S, perhaps just taking in more of the scenery.

Initial impressions:

• Love the interior. The sandstone/black two tone is right on the money. Everything looks and feels very well put together and premium.
• I'm excited about the new durable flooring material in the California Dune (vs carpet) and the Chilewich Mats look great.
  • The only draw back so far is that the two anchor points for the mats aren't enough. The mats tend to slide inwards (bunch up) from top corner if you drag your feet. Not idea. They need a third anchor point at the top. I may be able to solve this with stiffer all weather floor mats.
• The drive is great, even with the AT tires. If you're coming over from another car like a Model S/3/Y, reset your expectations in terms of overall feel of the drive.
• The software is good, although a bit less responsive at times comapred to the MS.
• The Rivian Autonomy Platform+ self driving is okay and limited, but excited for what's to come
• Had no issue with build quality, exterior panel gaps, or paint (although a bit hard to see with the Dune color)
• Air suspension and heat pump noise is a big miss... Rivian should've done something to deflect the sound before entering the cabin (never heard either in the MS)
• Audio, needs work... FM stations barely work, streaming audio volume is up and then down after what seems to be every song.

Overall, no big suprises for me on the things that need improvement. I spent some time reading through this forum which has prepared me well (thank you).

Most of all, I can't wait to take this thing off road and go explore on new adventures. That's what makes this Rivian even better. It's like having three vehicles in one: 1) a confortable/luxurious ride for daily commute and errands, 2) an exceptional and fully capable off-roading vehicle, and 3) super car fast drag strip type fun with 0-60 in 2.9 seconds.

I've test drove many different types of cars/SUVs/trucks before leaping in to Rivian, and in my opinion there's no other manufacturer that comes even close to whatt you get with Rivian.

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[savethemanual]

Congrats! The darker wheels are the ones to get with this edition IMO.

 

[comtns]

Very pretty. My experiences with my blue R1S are similar. (I can't help wonder, though, whether California dunes, wherever they may be, are faintly light green? Slightly reminds me of my parent's Buick station wagon a half century ago, or the color of Subaru that my Mom wanted several years ago.)

 

[mkhuffman]

I am also a new Tri owner, but I have not noticed the audio issues you have experienced. The FM on my T is just as strong as in my other vehicles, and the streaming quality is really good.

BTW - I am also driving less aggressively than I did in my Mach-e. Very interesting! I like sitting high up, and I have been using Ride Feel = Soft and really enjoying how comfortable it is. It is much more comfortable than my Mach-e was (which I loved also). Although I am still speeding. LOL.

It is also amazing how dramatically the driving dynamics change when putting it into Sport with low suspension height. It is like a different vehicle, in a good way. I bet I could hang very close behind someone in a Mach-e through the twisties. They would win, of course, but I wouldn't be that far back.

 

[Erik+]

Nice ride!

 

[Dark-Fx]

Audio, needs work... FM stations barely work, streaming audio volume is up and then down after what seems to be every song.

I have to turn off HD radio because it causes issues. I primarily drive on the fringe of HD service, so it cuts in and out a lot.

 

[FamDocDon]

I bet I could hang very close behind someone in a Mach-e through the twisties. They would win, of course, but I wouldn't be that far back.

Not so sure about that. Our other vehicle is a Mach-e GT performance edition, and I think subjectively our R1T tri would take it in the twists. Agree that it undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde transformation in sport mode.

 

[mkhuffman]

Not so sure about that. Our other vehicle is a Mach-e GT performance edition, and I think subjectively our R1T tri would take it in the twists. Agree that it undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde transformation in sport mode.

For science, we should test that out.

It is subjective for sure, but I feel like my GT was faster in the turns. It is a lot lighter. Coming out of the turns, I think the Tri would catch up with better acceleration.

 

[PaythePiper]

Sweet R1! Totally agree with you on the suspension and HVAC noise and stereo sound/issues. My tune in won’t work and Apple Music has been having sign in issues. Still have our Y and every time I jump in to that car I’m IMMEDIATELY reminded of how bad the Rivian sound system is. It’s literally night and day difference

 

[HBDave]

Very pretty. My experiences with my blue R1S are similar. (I can't help wonder, though, whether California dunes, wherever they may be, are faintly light green? Slightly reminds me of my parent's Buick station wagon a half century ago, or the color of Subaru that my Mom wanted several years ago.)

The color is really hard to capture on camera/screen. I was very hesitant initially until I saw it in person. Totally tan with no hint of yellow or green. I actually liked it so much I am trading in my 2023 R1S quad for the Dune next week!

 

[strykerwsu]

It sucks that only us early adopters got the very good Meridian system. To me this is an area that should not be skimped on (especially at msrp level now) and Rivian has made it worse over the 3 hardware changes through the years.

 

[R1SCD]

Congrats! The darker wheels are the ones to get with this edition IMO.

Thanks. Yeah, the darker wheels are def more my style.

 

[R1SCD]

The color is really hard to capture on camera/screen. I was very hesitant initially until I saw it in person. Totally tan with no hint of yellow or green. I actually liked it so much I am trading in my 2023 R1S quad for the Dune next week!

No Kidding. The color looks different on screens, and the color looks different in person when it's cloudy vs sunny vs dark out. Like it all the same but def better in person.

Congrats on your order!

 

[R1SCD]

Very pretty. My experiences with my blue R1S are similar. (I can't help wonder, though, whether California dunes, wherever they may be, are faintly light green? Slightly reminds me of my parent's Buick station wagon a half century ago, or the color of Subaru that my Mom wanted several years ago.)

The blue is a great color. Yes, I get the same retro car color vibes from the Dune at times.

If I were to name this color, I'd call it "French Vanilla Ice Cream." ... I'll stick to my day job.

 

[R1SCD]

It sucks that only us early adopters got the very good Meridian system. To me this is an area that should not be skimped on (especially at msrp level now) and Rivian has made it worse over the 3 hardware changes through the years.

I hear the potential in the system, it sounds good at times... I hope it's just a software OTA update fix.

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