Purchasing advice - Gen 1 vs Gen 2

[BanditTA]

Hi all - new member here. I currently have a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave and am considering moving to the R1T. Looking for something a bit more fun to drive and a bit nicer riding on the crappy San Jose streets.

At this point I’m thinking to buy used. Not new to EVs as we’ve had a Model 3, Kia EV6 GT and currently have a 25 BMW I4 x40drive.

I’m certain that I want the large motor as the I4’s range isn’t fantastic. Still not sure about dual vs tri vs quad. Obviously all options will be faster than the Gladiator but I have a long history of sports cars and like good performance, ride and handling. The EV6 GT was fast and quite a lot of fun to drive but I had HV battery issues with it.

I’m not sure if I should wait for a gen 2 to come up used or buy a 2023 or 2024.

For those that have had both gens or at least checked out both, what do you recommend? Is the suspension majorly improved - or did the recent software update make similar improvements to gen 1?

I’m going to test drive one later today at my local Rivian demo center. Looks like they only have a new quad model to test out but hopefully that’ll at least give me some guidance on if I like it.

Thanks

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[B_Wagon136]

To my knowledge, primary differences are that Gen 2 will have continual updates and improvements to automated driving that Gen 1 will not. This will be factored into the price and for that reason you can get pretty solid deals on Gen 1s right now if you don’t care much about that.

Also Gen 1 has manual door handle releases from the interior that Gen 2 lacks. Some have safety concerns regarding that.

More experienced vets may chime in with more.

We’ve had our Gen 1 ‘23 R1S for a couple months so far and love it!

 

[BanditTA]

To my knowledge, primary differences are that Gen 2 will have continual updates and improvements to automated driving that Gen 1 will not. This will be factored into the price and for that reason you can get pretty solid deals on Gen 1s right now if you don’t care much about that.

Also Gen 1 has manual door handle releases from the interior that Gen 2 lacks. Some have safety concerns regarding that.

More experienced vets may chime in with more.

We’ve had our Gen 1 ‘23 R1S for a couple months so far and love it!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[DuoRivians]

If you dont care about the fancy self driving stuff, a gently used 2023 quad motor with Meridian audio can be a good deal now. Lots of depreciation on them already, but the car should be good for many miles still.

 

[SteveInBend]

If you're concerned about "crappy San Jose streets", just make sure you get 20" wheels. That is all!

 

[BanditTA]

If you dont care about the fancy self driving stuff, a gently used 2023 quad motor with Meridian audio can be a good deal now. Lots of depreciation on them already, but the car should be good for many miles still.

Thanks - I don’t think I’m too concerned about the self driving items.

 

[BanditTA]

If you're concerned about "crappy San Jose streets", just make sure you get 20" wheels. That is all!

Good point - right now I have 35” tires on 17” wheels on the Gladiatior to bash thru the streets here.

 

[TexasBob]

Hi all - new member here. I currently have a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave and am considering moving to the R1T. Looking for something a bit more fun to drive and a bit nicer riding on the crappy San Jose streets.

At this point I’m thinking to buy used. Not new to EVs as we’ve had a Model 3, Kia EV6 GT and currently have a 25 BMW I4 x40drive.

I’m certain that I want the large motor as the I4’s range isn’t fantastic. Still not sure about dual vs tri vs quad. Obviously all options will be faster than the Gladiator but I have a long history of sports cars and like good performance, ride and handling. The EV6 GT was fast and quite a lot of fun to drive but I had HV battery issues with it.

I’m not sure if I should wait for a gen 2 to come up used or buy a 2023 or 2024.

For those that have had both gens or at least checked out both, what do you recommend? Is the suspension majorly improved - or did the recent software update make similar improvements to gen 1?

I’m going to test drive one later today at my local Rivian demo center. Looks like they only have a new quad model to test out but hopefully that’ll at least give me some guidance on if I like it.

Thanks

You mention range so my 2c (having owned Gen 1 R1S Quad, Gen "1.5" R1T Dual, and Gen 2 R1S) is this: for the R1T the sweet spot if you like the dual motor performance (very good) is the 2023/2024 dual motor large pack. Its battery is only 8% - 9% less than the 2025+ Max pack, and is 20% larger than the gen 2 current large pack. And EPA rating BS aside, the efficiency on the 2024 dual motor is the same. Real world 2024 dual motor range is within 5% of a new tri motor max pack on conserve mode. The 2024 DM R1T with large pack is the best deal for range.
WRT to other stuff, the R1S suspension Gen 2 is night and day better but on the T it does not make that much of a difference IMO. The Gen 1 R1S suspension was pretty crappy but the T's longer wheelbase made all the difference. (If I was getting an S it would be gen 2, max pack only). The ADAS on gen 1 is super basic and the gen "1.5" 2024 model they ripped out the interior camera so it can never be hands off no matter what. Depends how much that matters to you. For my money, it would be 2024 dual motor R1T with large pack.

 

[BanditTA]

Thanks Bob. My initial thoughts were to get the 2024 dual motor large pack with the performance upgrade. Seemed like that would meet my power needs enough. Not sure I need 800+ hp but I know these are heavy vehicles too.

 

[skyguyscott]

Well, getting a gently used model is almost always the better deal from a purely financial perspective as you avoid the huge depreciation hit.

Some trade-offs you probably already know:
Gen 1 trucks will lack some technical refinements and are becoming more and more "left behind" in software updates. Some updates will still apply to some degree, but others will not, due to hardware incompatibility. This will happen to Gen 2 also eventually -- for instance the new R2 (block 2, not launch edition) will incorporate LIDAR for both autonomous driving purposes as well as an added safety feature. It is speculated that Gen 3 R1 will also have LIDAR, whenever that happens - thus both Gens 1 & 2 R1 trucks will not get any updates relating to LIDAR.

Gen 2 trucks are a bit more advanced in almost every way except: the original Meridian sound system is generally considered superior by most, there is an additional bin under the passenger seat that was later omitted, Gen 1 has an additional WiFi antenna towards the front of the truck, later omitted.

You also stated that you really like performance and handling, but also comfort. So, as you probably know, sport suspension settings trade comfort for handling. The 22" sport wheels will further provide truly remarkable agility for such a heavy pick-up truck -- not quite go-cart style handling, but astonishingly good, better than many so-called "sport(y) cars" -- but give you a noticeably harsher ride the rest of the time, so there is a decision to be made there.

Likewise the tri and quad layout is mostly about horsepower and acceleration, shaving a few tenths of a second off 0-60. You'll trade some added weight and range for those tenths and extra horses, although the quad will also give you some tricks like kick-turns.

But it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on the differences, and as long as you are aware of the tradeoffs, you'll be more satisfied with your eventual decision.

 

[CrazyOne]

IMO, G1 quad is a better vehicle, but you will likely have better ownership experience with G2 dual. Heat pump, architectural improvements, and many many other fixes should help reliability and repairability. I dread owning G1 out of warranty.

R1T was universally praised for ride, G1 and G2

 

[BanditTA]

Thanks again everyone: Just got back from my test drive. The San Jose Rivian dealer only had a 2026 Quad to test drive. It definitely is very nice, and if nothing else I can now say I’ve driven a car that costs over $100K for the first time in my life at least.

I was surprised that the 1000hp was so controllable, almost to the point that it didn’t feel as fast as I was expecting. It is almost too smooth. Completely different car but in the Kia EV6 GT you really felt its ~600HP. The Rivian felt more like our BMW with its 400HP maybe because they’re tuned more towards the luxury car feeling guess.

I’ve always leased my prior EVs as I was also concerned about how the manufacturers will stop updating my car when their next gen comes out, to entice you to buy the new one. I guess you need to be certain you’re happy with what it offers on day 1 and hope it’s dependable and serviceable.

From my research it sounds like I may notice the power of the quad more in the gen1 (and there’s no way I can pony up for a new quad). It makes me think a bit that I may want the G1 quad now but it’s a tough decision, or maybe try to find a 2025 Tri out there as it sounds like that may have more of a lively feel to it. Will see if I can find one of those to test drive locally.

Overall though I think I’m convinced enough to move on from the Gladiator though I wish you could remove the tops on the R1T.

 

[MediaArtsDad]

@BanditTA, I just went through the same back-and-forth, looking at a new 2026, a slightly used 2025, or an older GEN 1. All the things mentioned above played in the decision, I finally landed on a 2022 QUAD as I want to play rough, didn't want to worry about putting the first scratch or ding on it, but most importantly, I could afford it AND afford to add the stuff/accessories I desired for said fun play!

In the end, the heatpump and matrix headlights were the only two GEN 2 things I wish I could upgrade the GEN 1 with, but not enough to spend almost twice the money. As for the hands-free driving, I'm looking forward to getting the Comma installed. Having been burned by Elon on the continual promise of future tech, I wish Rivian the best in getting self-driving out there, but I know what the Comma can do today, and that is what I am buying: what can be done today, not the promise of tomorrow.

I will also shout out the KC SC, which helped me quickly identify what was good and bad on the truck and has been wonderful to work with in getting those bad things taken care of!

 

[BanditTA]

@BanditTA, I just went through the same back-and-forth, looking at a new 2026, a slightly used 2025, or an older GEN 1. All the things mentioned above played in the decision, I finally landed on a 2022 QUAD as I want to play rough, didn't want to worry about putting the first scratch or ding on it, but most importantly, I could afford it AND afford to add the stuff/accessories I desired for said fun play!

In the end, the heatpump and matrix headlights were the only two GEN 2 things I wish I could upgrade the GEN 1 with, but not enough to spend almost twice the money. As for the hands-free driving, I'm looking forward to getting the Comma installed. Having been burned by Elon on the continual promise of future tech, I wish Rivian the best in getting self-driving out there, but I know what the Comma can do today, and that is what I am buying: what can be done today, not the promise of tomorrow.

I will also shout out the KC SC, which helped me quickly identify what was good and bad on the truck and has been wonderful to work with in getting those bad things taken care of!

Thanks for the helpful info! Yeah I think the gen1 quad is in 1st place at the moment.

I did find a 2023 Performance Dual Motor available to ship for free to test drive at my local Carmax. Will give that one quick test before settling 100% on the quad.

I'm with you on the cost side. Even with my Gladiator Mojave I was always a bit nervous offroading a $50K+ new truck or even dinging up the bed (not power obviously though).

Plus this truck has to sit outside, as my wife's BMW I4 and my 77 Trans Am currently take up our garage spaces. My wife will not cede her garage space to me (and the Trans Am is definitely not going outside ). That $100K+ new quad that I drove today I think I'd be paranoid leaving outside overnight.

I'm also going to make sure I buy a used one that is compatible with the V2 PTC - I was able to test that at the dealer today on the 2026 quad and it is pretty slick. $3K for a tonneau cover does seem crazy though - I think my Jeep's was about $250 off of Amazon.

 

[Ilovejunebugs]

My first rivian was a gently used 22 quad motor launch edition. It was a great truck, but my gen 2 quad is better in every way (except maybe sound system but I can't really tell the difference, to be honest). My gen 1 did need a lot of service visits but rivian always took care of the issues. If I hadn't been able to buy a new quad I'd have been very happy keeping the old one.

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