Rivian R1T Tri-Motor vs. Gen 1 Quad: My 10,000-Mile Owner Review

[TexasBob]

I went from Gen 1 Quad Large (131 kwh) R1S to the Gen 1 Dual Large (131 kwh) R1T to the Tri Max (140kwh) R1S Dune. We currently have the R1T and the Dune and a friend owns our old R1S Quad.

The Dune is awesome. For my money, it is what a Rivian is supposed to be (tires notwithstanding). Everything about ours is right and tight (like they took extra care with the special edition). The blend of rugged and refined leans more toward rugged. I especially love the rubber floor instead of carpet. The materials are comfortable but not plush, like they are built to last not to show off to the ladies in the neighborhood (ahem, Ascent).

All-in-all, the Gen 2 is just much better than either of our Gen 1s. That said, however, the best overall powertrain for me is the Dual Large. It has the longest real-world range and plenty of power for anything I have ever needed. If I were buying again, it would be the Gen 2 dual max and if I were buying used it would be a 2024 dual large.

Sponsored

 

[starbux]

You mentioned larger tires … what size? Coming up on 27k on mine, and considering replacing them with Toyo at3 EV (LT 275/65 r20)…. Were you able to fit in larger tires?

When I mentioned bigger I mean heavier and bigger tread.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Care to share with who? I’m XCare? Fidelity? Thanks.

Xcare. My local SC manager said they had an excellent set of experiences with them to date.
XCare Warranty LINK

Save $100 with this referral code on XCare (just received this in my mailbox): tof16245

 

[PhatDaddy]

Xcare. My local SC manager said they had an excellent set of experiences with them to date.

Thanks. Good to hear the SC feedback.

 

[Golfer04]

I made the same upgrade to Tri Max R1T and don't regret it. Much better overall vehicle for my use. Wind noise is comparable to our BMW X5, efficiency is 10 percent better and battery pack is a little larger. I drove 355 miles interstate driving (cruise set at 74) mostly hands free, and pulled into the garage with 8 percent left. On the range wheels, but I took inserts out. I couldn't go that far down hill in either of my gen 1 quads without stopping.

 

[DayTripping]

I made the same upgrade to Tri Max R1T and don't regret it. Much better overall vehicle for my use. Wind noise is comparable to our BMW X5, efficiency is 10 percent better and battery pack is a little larger. I drove 355 miles interstate driving (cruise set at 74) mostly hands free, and pulled into the garage with 8 percent left. On the range wheels, but I took inserts out. I couldn't go that far down hill in either of my gen 1 quads without stopping.

That is partly due to the smaller pack size. Did you regularly run your G1s in conserve mode when on the highway?

 

[Golfer04]

That is partly due to the smaller pack size. Did you regularly run your G1s in conserve mode when on the highway?

The Gen 1 quad has a useable pack of 131 kw (I think). The Tri is 141. I was always in conserve mode on the highway, but never anywhere else. That is the other advantage on the Tri. You CAN drive in conserve all the time if you want without destroying your tires because upon acceleration all motors are used automatically not just the front (RJ makes this point several times). Neither quad ever made 300 miles on a full pack and I switched to Michelin AS tires (20s) which did help. The Pirellis were terrible.

 

[922110]

What do you think the range would be without all the changes? I'm looking at a R1S Tri and swapping the 20" ATR to Michelin M/S2's for better effiiciency and NVH.

I keep almost hitting purchase but I want to wait for native NACS support.

I take it you're using this primarily for work and thus getting the Section 179 write off? That's what I'm planning to do.

 

[starbux]

What do you think the range would be without all the changes? I'm looking at a R1S Tri and swapping the 20" ATR to Michelin M/S2's for better effiiciency and NVH.

I keep almost hitting purchase but I want to wait for native NACS support.

I take it you're using this primarily for work and thus getting the Section 179 write off? That's what I'm planning to do.

Honestly not even sure what the range would be. I am assuming closer to 320 or so.

 

[Rade]

What a good review!

I have been keeping a journal of my experience with my 2nd Gen R1T-Large. I am hitting 6 months with it and am dubiously optimistic that I made the right decision. My first EV; went from the ICE to EV migration panic to getting over non-existent range anxiety to the Rivian being my ubiquitous daily driver.

Unlike you, however, me being a retiree, I don't even have 3,000 miles on it, though the husband is talking about road trips over the summer. We'll see!

 

[Golfer04]

What do you think the range would be without all the changes? I'm looking at a R1S Tri and swapping the 20" ATR to Michelin M/S2's for better effiiciency and NVH.

I keep almost hitting purchase but I want to wait for native NACS support.

I take it you're using this primarily for work and thus getting the Section 179 write off? That's what I'm planning to do.

There are so many variables to efficiency/range that no two people are going to get the same number. For daily driving it doesn't matter and on a road trip availability of DCFC and speed is what matters.

 

[CBRacerX]

Thanks for sharing your experience, very helpful, and bonus points for offering a text only version of your thoughts instead of just dropping a video link.

 

[Lrak1973]

I appreciate the OP’s report—who wouldn’t love to have that Gen 2 Tri?

However, I’m in your boat, 100%. I paid $65,000 for my Launch Quad, and with 57,000 miles on the clock and fewer service visits than the OP’s Tri, I just can’t justify spending another $40,000–$50,000 on a vehicle that doesn’t feel like a generational leap. I’ll wait for something truly next-level.

Would I keep my Gen 1 without an extended warranty? Nope—so I just picked one up that’ll take me out to around 113,000 miles.

I also spent four days driving a Gen 2 Dual Motor. As much as I wanted to love it, it just didn’t drive as well as my Gen 1. The same issues—wind noise, quality control quirks, and other little annoyances—are still there. It didn’t feel like the upgrade it should be.

I love what Rivian is building, but I’m holding out for something with a real leap in battery chemistry or charging curve, as well a quality leap before jumping into another EV.

Who did you go with for the extended warranty? and would you be willing to state the costs? I don't think I will be done with my quad when the warranties start to expire.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Who did you go with for the extended warranty? and would you be willing to state the costs? I don't think I will be done with my quad when the warranties start to expire.

I went with XCare (as noted earlier). Price varies on current mileage, deductible selected and length of the warranty. Easy online quote here: XCare Warranty LINK

Save $100 with this referral code on XCare (just received this in my mailbox): tof16245

 

[xeux]

I get those points. I do think is fair to compare new and used as you do have a choice. I think it applies to any price point. Sometimes it makes more sense on an expensive one to buy used due to depreciation as you mentioned. Sometimes I've seen used go for more than new in some high demand models as well.

We are sort of in the same ballpark, where you think G1 is 85% of what G2 is and I think it is 90%. I still used that to drive what I valued a G2 at before buying a G1. I was considering a new G1 as well but that made the least sense of all.

I would have loved to see more meaningful changes to things that mattered to me in the G2. The new quad would be the closest truck to what I want. Maybe if it is really amazing I might sell mine and buy it, assuming the wind noise on it isn't horrendous like my truck is at higher speeds. At this point I am more likely to wait for G3 if Rivian is still around and doesn't blow the R2 launch and scales up their service centers massively.

If it all goes south and Rivian blows it, I'll be glad I bought a 60k G1 paperweight instead of a 110k G2 paperweight.

Well said, and mirrors my thoughts almost exactly.

Sponsored