Test drove gen 2 R1S today (PDM, Max) -- Initial Pros & Cons Review

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

As suspected the HP has issues cooling. My Tesla and almost every other car with a HP take forever to get cold. This is a bigger deal than most people think. Go read a Tesla forum and all the complaints about HP units.

I’d like to hear more about this. Does that mean AC will be a problem?

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[Electron]

I bet if you find a way to add a big ass subwoofer, the sound system will be great.

I am waiting for the first thread from someone who has done that with a Gen 2. It seems it might be harder than Gen 1, but I think it will not be that hard. Tap into the existing sub, or replace it. All you need to figure out is where to get 12V power. Should be as easy as any other car, IMO.

This is what I'm thinking as well as the highs and mids are pretty decent, just that they need to be tuned. A nice Sub and Amp would really bring it to life.

I've installed Tesla specific after market systems, replacing all the speakers (3x dash, 2x front doors, 2x rear doors, 2x rear, 2x tweeters and the Sub w/ an additional Amp in series with the stock Amp) in a few Teslas including all of ours. One of the 12V battery is right under the rear passenger seat and it was a breeze to tap into.

It went from great to AMAZING as Tesla already has one of the best Systems in the industry. I would love to see an aftermarket plug in play kit for Rivian. In fact, I'll reach out to our friends who make the kits for Tesla and see if they have any plans. I think it'll be a huge hit since the Rivian stock system is so underwhelming.

 

[Electron]

11.1 to 9.8, around 12% smaller. Not a dealbreaker by any means and it's absolutely useful still. I'd argue a small trade for a heat pump. I hear the argument that people don't use their frunks, that's only because they aren't automatic and useful the way Rivian's frunks are. I used my R1T's frunk nearly every day.

With regards to the sound system, I rented a 2024 Model 3 for a bit and it's incredible what Tesla has done with their setup.

Definitely not a deal breaker by any means, but for those with huge strollers + pack n plays + kids stuff like us, every bit of space counts to be able to make it fit. Now I'm eager to go test fit all the stuff in the Gen 2 frunk out of curiosity. Not the end of the world, just really curious now. Appreciate the info on this.

If you were in my neck of the woods, I would be glad to have you take a listen to aftermarket system in my M3P. It's incredible and would give a glimpse of how awesome the Rivian sound could be with a plug n play system.

 

[sub]

My microwave is 1.3 cu ft, and the difference here is only 1.2 cu ft (from 11.1 cu ft to 9.9 cu ft)

I’ll gladly give up the space smaller than my small microwave any day for space for a heat pump and reduced cabin noise.

The problem IMO is where the 1.3 cu ft is coming from. If it was just 1 inch removed from each dimension, that wouldn't be so bad. But it is a random chunk cut out of the middle.

If you are trying to store 10,000 ping pong balls then yea, you are just losing 10%. But if you are trying to store suitcases, or any other largish, rigid objects, it is more like 50% - 100% reduction in capacity. The lower portion is essentially worthless now if you were hoping to fit anything large and rigid in the Frunk.

I am currently able to fit 1 stroller in the front trunk (if I remove the wheels). I am pretty sure that on the new design it would fit 0. That is a 100% reduction in the number of strollers. Which is pretty significant, because the stroller also doesn't fit behind the 3rd row without disassembling it.

 

[Electron]

The problem IMO is where the 1.3 cu ft is coming from. If it was just 1 inch removed from each dimension, that wouldn't be so bad. But it is a random chunk cut out of the middle.

If you are trying to store 10,000 ping pong balls then yea, you are just losing 10%. But if you are trying to store suitcases, or any other largish, rigid objects, it is more like 50% - 100% reduction in capacity. The lower portion is essentially worthless now if you were hoping to anything large and rigid in the Frunk.

I am currently able to fit 1 stroller in the front trunk (if I remove the wheels). I am pretty sure that on the new design it would fit 0. THat is a 100% reduction in the number of strollers. Which is pretty significant, because the stroller also doesn't fit behind the 3rd row without disassembling it.

Ha! Glad to see that I'm not alone. You're 100% correct in that the space reduction is far greater depending on how that space was reduced.

I'm very curious now.

 

[Ecupip]

I’d like to hear more about this. Does that mean AC will be a problem?

Gen2 will see lots of software improvements. I’m guessing the new systems are going to take some time to get dialed in right.

 

[ryunited]

I keep reading comments on the Tesla sound blowing away the Rivian stock sound. At least on our 22 Y, I think the sound is pretty darn comparable to what we have in the R1S.

In terms of AC, they are both pretty loud when cooling initially but then I find they both quiet down nicely as they get to temp. And I enjoy the ventilated seat in the R1S while the cabin gets there.

 

[ForeverOnTheWaitlist]

Curious what you thought in terms of upgrade value for the money for current owners.

I have a < 1yo R1S Quad. Range is a big deal for us so 360mi or 410mi would be nice. I can't see paying the $40k it would cost to get a Gen2 Quad but I'm not rock crawling, just family of 5 hauling so curious about updating to a Dual Large which is more like $20k extra. It's still a gut hit of an extra cost for that range. Watching the videos it seems like an improved vehicle, granted if I paid for all the options mine came with, it would add another big chunk of cost.

Anyone know how much faster the new one charges ? Now THAT would be nice update.

 

[Rivdog]

Definitely not a deal breaker by any means, but for those with huge strollers + pack n plays + kids stuff like us, every bit of space counts to be able to make it fit. Now I'm eager to go test fit all the stuff in the Gen 2 frunk out of curiosity. Not the end of the world, just really curious now. Appreciate the info on this.

If you were in my neck of the woods, I would be glad to have you take a listen to aftermarket system in my M3P. It's incredible and would give a glimpse of how awesome the Rivian sound could be with a plug n play system.

From what people say, it makes it sound like Tesla has by far the best sound system in its price class. I really gotta check it out some day. My 2023 T has the original Meridian system and it is significantly better than any other stock system I’ve ever heard. Interesting to me to hear people discuss how much better the Tesla system is because it’s hard for me to understand what I’m missing other than maybe some more punchy bass.

 

[bdwalters]

Rivian needs to improve communication here. Because some employees I've asked thought it was the same system with Dolby Atmos added.

I've been told different answers on whether or not the hardware which operates the infotainment screen has been upgraded as well. I believe the answer is that it's the same from gen 1 and only the ADAS is improved.

I talked to a Rivian rep in Austin today who didn’t know what wheels came on the base model. (He thought the 22 aero wheels were standard on everything.) They don’t seem to be good sources of information if they don’t even know things that are in the online configurator.

 

[ccharie]

Did you check the G2 horn? Is it still like a Vespa?

 

[bdwalters]

Ha! Glad to see that I'm not alone. You're 100% correct in that the space reduction is far greater depending on how that space was reduced.

I'm so curious now.

The frunk did look smaller. I doubt that the stroller would fit if it was tight before. I always use it for storing takeout and groceries. It is still fine for those tasks.

 

[Eric9610]

I’d like to hear more about this. Does that mean AC will be a problem?

In the Tesla Model 3 and Y first to implement the HP system they also incorporated an octo valve for the refrigerant flow from the pack to the HP. This was where most of the efficacy improvement comes from over a standard system. We don't know how Rivian has implemented the system. People also forget that Efficiency has many meanings, in most sense efficiency is used in how do you spend the least to get same result. This is different from efficiency at cooling the cabin. HP systems in general are 10% more efficient in energy than a standard ac system as they can operate at variable speeds. My experience has been on 3 Model Y's that they take much longer to cool than other cars in its class size using a traditional AC. The real efficiency advantage is in heating, but you also suffer issues where it takes longer to produce the heat required.

 

[cardad]

I believe the 12V was removed in the 2024 models, correct? Are some 2023 models missing them as well?

11.1 to 9.8, around 12% smaller. Not a dealbreaker by any means and it's absolutely useful still. I'd argue a small trade for a heat pump. I hear the argument that people don't use their frunks, that's only because they aren't automatic and useful the way Rivian's frunks are. I used my R1T's frunk nearly every day.

With regards to the sound system, I rented a 2024 Model 3 for a bit and it's incredible what Tesla has done with their setup.

It’s hard to say what the heat pump offers on a realistic basis until some testing gets done. I have an Ioniq 5 with a heat pump and I find the range loss is still substantial in winter due to battery conditioning. You can get around the heat efficiency issue by preconditioning battery charging at home / preconditioning cabin while plugged in and if the battery is 90 F your efficiency on longer drives is pretty similar to non winter conditions.

 

[cardad]

Curious what you thought in terms of upgrade value for the money for current owners.

I have a < 1yo R1S Quad. Range is a big deal for us so 360mi or 410mi would be nice. I can't see paying the $40k it would cost to get a Gen2 Quad but I'm not rock crawling, just family of 5 hauling so curious about updating to a Dual Large which is more like $20k extra. It's still a gut hit of an extra cost for that range. Watching the videos it seems like an improved vehicle, granted if I paid for all the options mine came with, it would add another big chunk of cost.

Anyone know how much faster the new one charges ? Now THAT would be nice update.

Rivian’s range projections are extremely dubious. The gen 2 large battery is about 20 kwh smaller in size so the projected range depends on hypothetical efficiency gains. Many of the improvements look a lot like marketing gimmicks designed to mask the cost cutting that needed to happen to improve margins. Maybe you meant to say $20k extra for the max pack. The max is only 14 kwh bigger than a gen 1 large pack at 149 kwh vs 135 kwh but they are supposed to unlock more of the battery as LFP degrades less than lithium nickel.

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