Ride quality R1S vs R1T? Should I be worried about reviews?

[SoCal Rob]

They should all be individually adjustable. If not, leveling wouldn't work, since that can require all 4 to be inflated to different pressures.

I’m probably doing a bad job describing this. I want to know more about the hydraulic damping (shock absorbing) than the air spring height adjustment.

Sponsored

 

[MadMac]

My R1S is every bit as good of a ride as the GLS 450 we just sold... except when accelerating with a deep peddle. That is, if you floor it the R1S gets a bit extremely squirrelly and you need to be ready for it.

It is a better ride than my F150h, GLK, and 911. Is it perfect? no.

I agree here. My R1S bests the 2021 Volvo XC90 it replaced. And my air-suspension Jeep Grand Cherokee before that. And any number of rental SUVs. I prefer it to my Tesla Model 3 performance as well. I’ve found it ridiculously competent —particularly for an SUV.

 

[mkg3]

Just a curious question:

What do you mean, exactly, by "ride quality"?

There are so many aspect to the "ride quality" and different people have different preferences and priorities - a different understanding of what it means.

In the C&D review:
"In our testing we were put off by both the R1S’s out-of-synch steering responses and its poor ride control, which at times was excessively floaty and in other situations caused odd front-to-rear porpoising."

Is this what you are referring to? If so, the proposing is greatly reduced in the latest FW update being reported by those that own R1S. Not saying it has been solved but it's being addressed incrementally. As for out sync steering responses, that too can be addressed by OTA updates within different drive modes. It may already be there and no one has commented on it (yet). As a side mote, steering response is not a part of ride quality. Rather, its a vehicle handling issue.

On the other hand, if you're looking for chauffeured like comfort and smoothness, perhaps Rivian can come up with a very soft dampened transporter drive mode.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Professional reviewers (Car and Driver, Road and Track, YouTubers) are really bashing the R1S ride quality compared to R1T. For the everyday driver is it really that much worse?

Based on reviews, it's apparent the dynamic suspension has been more finely tuned to the T over the S. That will change with time which is the beauty of Rivians software driven systems. Pick the vehicle that fits your needs the software will follow s-0-----0-n after

 

[mkg3]

Here is Road & Track review on R1S:

"...cross-linked electrohydraulic anti-roll system helps it handle like a dream, at least dreams that involve 3.5-tons of SUV fun....

... In fact, line ‘em all up—BMW X7, Mercedes GL-Class, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Wagoneer—and the Rivian shoots them down like a carnival hustler. Moving to the plug-in side of the garage, only the $106,095 BMW iX M60i feels sharper and more car-like on pavement, in part because it carries about 1,200 fewer pounds than the 7,000-pound Rivian."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a41843084/rivian-r1s-review/

The funny thing is that I believe both R&T and C&D are both owned by Hearst and share marketing and sales, as well as circulation. The difference is the editorial and the perspective that each publication brings to reviews.

 

[Guy]

I would love to test out the S but first drives in the DE/PA/NJ area have been pretty none existent in my experience. Hopefully with the opening of NJ based service centers later this year that will change.
I rented a T last week and the ride comfort was fantastic. I would be OK with the S being 90-95% as good. If it is more like 70% as good then that would be a problem.
I (hopefully) take delivery in Q4 so that should give them time to further fine tune the suspension.

 

[Leo]

Great back an forth. The only significant difference between the R1S and RIT that cant be addressed by an OTA is the weelbase. Inherently Longer wheelbase = smoother ride, Shorter wheelbase = better turn in and handling. The R1S was probably tuned the same at launch and it should not have been. Sounds like Rivian tried to corrent it with the OTA update and as mentioned in numerous other posts, the ride and handling has since been improved in both R1T and S. I don't have mine yet but everything mentioned as concerns could be addressed by an OTA update and I have little concern that the R1S will be dialed in if it is not already.

 

[kizamybute']

I can't speak to the R1S, but I do love the ride quality in my R1T. I say it's even better than my Tesla Model S with 21" wheels. And speed bumps.....what speed bumps? Don't even notice them in the R1T. Suspension just soaks them up. I can see that the R1S, being a shorter wheelbase, would not have "as good" of a ride as the R1T's longer wheelbase, but would guess it's still not bad by any means.

 

[White Shadow]

I've only driven an R1S, never an R1T. That said, I walked away very disappointed in the ride. It seemed unsettled on any roads that weren't completely smooth. Compared to my current Grand Cherokee (which also has air suspension), the R1S ride was lacking. The Jeep is just so much more composed over any type of rough surface.

On smooth roads, the R1S seemed pretty good though.

 

[JamesPolk24]

I've only driven an R1S, never an R1T. That said, I walked away very disappointed in the ride. It seemed unsettled on any roads that weren't completely smooth. Compared to my current Grand Cherokee (which also has air suspension), the R1S ride was lacking. The Jeep is just so much more composed over any type of rough surface.

On smooth roads, the R1S seemed pretty good though.

R1T is pretty clunky and unsettled on rough roads as well.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I’m probably doing a bad job describing this. I want to know more about the hydraulic damping (shock absorbing) than the air spring height adjustment.

I think my R1T with 22" wheels rides plenty comfortable, but given what I experience in other vehicles when downsizing wheels, I'd say if comfort is your number one priority, that you definitely shouldn't get the 22" wheels. Looks like you are planning on the 21s, so probably a better choice.

The dampers do a pretty good job at reducing the amount of vibration that enters the cabin, but since Rivian's body/frame interface is essentially solid, anything that makes it into the frame gets into the cabin. Not so for traditional frame vehicles with rubber isolators between the cabin and frame.

 

[Zoidz]

After seeing all the various opinions about R1S ride, I think the biggest takeaway from this thread is that ride quality/comfort is in the butt of the beholder and we all have to decide for ourselves. ?

 

[xyskis]

Going to duck from the tomato-throwing mob of internet trolls now, but I thought the ride of the R1S one week ago was similar to our now-sold 2022 Model Y.

We took the R1S on an hour long first-mile drive around our neighborhood/Portland and was expecting the same "float over bumps" from driving @DuckTruck's R1T around town, but was disappointed to experience no meaningful improvement over the Model Y on bumps and potholes. There was no dampening at all.

Our '23 Model Y that's coming next week is supposed to have improved suspension/handling compared to the '22. If drives better than our R1S that's anticipated to arrive Q42023, we might end up keeping our Model Y instead of the R1S.

 

[R1Tom]

R1T is pretty clunky and unsettled on rough roads as well.

I concur. Mine fails to dampen impacts adequately. Or something is wrong with it. Impact type bumps of road imperfections set off a thumping/thunking noise and a chassis vibration I can feel. Rivian told me it is normal, so I say then they need to improve something in the design as I have to think most mainstream buyers wouldn't be happy with it.

 

[windblowlc]

That is evidence of the current state of things. What bearing does that have on the future state? You're indicating that you don't believe software can address anything in there. This is not evidence of that position.

And after you come at me over my comprehension and use of language. Come on Trolldor, try harder.

I can attest with certainty that software tuning can absolutely change the dynamics of active suspension for the better. DSC Sport has done it on so many cars and trucks, and user experience speak for themselves. It improved both handling and ride on all of my 911s. This one is for the Ford Raptor https://www.dscsport.com/product/controller-raptor/

It may not happen immediately, but given time, there's no reason Rivian cannot tune it better.

Sponsored