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

[ndmiller]

The more and more I hear about the Gen2, the less I'm concerned I'm missing out driving a Gen1 R1T. With all the software I'll get that's similar to Gen2, the additional Gen2 efficiency/functionality (HP, Automation+?, Suspension, cameras, etc) at the expense of Frunk Space, Base Audio, cooling speed doesn't seem worth an upgrade. If I didn't have an R1T, Gen 2 would make perfect sense, although I'd have to spend more to get the same level vehicle (upgaded interior & audio).

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[PeterSK]

you proved my point in your comments. Your Non-HP R1T cools faster than any HP car you have owned with precondition or not.

I use pre condition everything you described. HP is just not as good as regular AC! I will take the sacrifice in range for the comfort... People expect more efficiency = more comfort but that's 100% not the way the technology works.

Heat pumps are just air conditioners that can work in reverse. The technology is the same, and they are certainly capable of working as well as regular AC. If they’re not performing as well it’s because of tradeoffs the car manufacturer made in designing/spec-ing the product: space or power consumption requirements, type of coolant used, etc.

 

[Electron]

People that drive 100k vehicles aren’t generally upgrading the sound systems. There isn’t a big market for companies to create these plug and play devices for such an expensive vehicle with low sales volume. It makes more sense for them to create these options for $40-$50,000 Teslas. And even cheaper high volume cars.
The fact that I even have to upgrade, is a problem for a vehicle at this price point. It means that Rivian is not listening to their customers. Everyone has been complaining about this Soundsystem so I don’t know why they sit on their hands and do nothing.
I shouldn’t have to drop two grand into my brand new R1 T and have the entire vehicle taken apart but I will.

I agree. 100%

 

[Stickboy46]

People that drive 100k vehicles aren’t generally upgrading the sound systems. There isn’t a big market for companies to create these plug and play devices for such an expensive vehicle with low sales volume. It makes more sense for them to create these options for $40-$50,000 Teslas. And even cheaper high volume cars.
The fact that I even have to upgrade, is a problem for a vehicle at this price point. It means that Rivian is not listening to their customers. Everyone has been complaining about this Soundsystem so I don’t know why they sit on their hands and do nothing.
I shouldn’t have to drop two grand into my brand new R1 T and have the entire vehicle taken apart but I will.

Who is "Everyone" .. most everyone i have heard have no problems with the R1T sound system. It's as good or better than the Model 3 premium sound system I had.

If you want to hear a bad sound system .. listen to the new Supras .. now THAT is a sound system everyone complains about.

 

[Stickboy46]

The more and more I hear about the Gen2, the less I'm concerned I'm missing out driving a Gen1 R1T. With all the software I'll get that's similar to Gen2, the additional Gen2 efficiency/functionality (HP, Automation+?, Suspension, cameras, etc) at the expense of Frunk Space, Base Audio, cooling speed doesn't seem worth an upgrade. If I didn't have an R1T, Gen 2 would make perfect sense, although I'd have to spend more to get the same level vehicle (upgaded interior & audio).

I mainly want the new cameras lol

 

[gtrivian]

If anyone in Denver area is looking to check out - they have a white Dual Standard Gen 2 R1S available to test drive.

I had like 5 minutes in the vehicle before someone came to test drive it but my initial impression was I was super impressed with how quiet it was inside, the cameras are amazing and the suspension seems very smooth/quiet with ride height adjustments. Didn’t get to drive or really play around with stuff. New UI looks nice.

apparently after the Pikes Peak Hill climb there is going to be a celebration event at the Denver Space (maybe 28/29) where R2, R3, the pikes peak quad motor gen 2, and a gen 2 quad motor R1S in storm blue will all be there.
According to the guys at the Denver Space. See you there

 

[ukyank]

Who is "Everyone" .. most everyone i have heard have no problems with the R1T sound system. It's as good or better than the Model 3 premium sound system I had.

If you want to hear a bad sound system .. listen to the new Supras .. now THAT is a sound system everyone complains about.

not everyone, but the majority agree it’s a subpar sound system. Perhaps the R1T is better since it’s has much less room to fill with sound? (I have no experience with it); the R1S isn’t great though.

 

[Electron]

not everyone, but the majority agree it’s a subpar sound system. Perhaps the R1T is better since it’s has much less room to fill with sound? (I have no experience with it); the R1S isn’t great though.

Many things can be subjective and for those that don't have a baseline to contrast against, the current R1S sound system could sound the best to them. Understandable.

I think for these folks, they should experience sitting in a Model X and listening to the sound system. Wait, maybe not as it might be counterproductive. (If the R1S sounds good to you then probably shouldn't.)

To your point, you're right, the sound system in the R1S when weighing it on the "general scale" and "reality scale" is subpar.

It 100% falls short and does not properly fit in the class of vehicle that the Rivian sits in. This in my opinion is not subjective as one can't argue that fire isn't hot.

I've also found the sound to be better in the R1T due to the smaller volume as this is the case with our Model 3 vs Model Y for example. The dynamics and sound stages are completely different.

First world nit picking. Blessed. ?

 

[Rivox]

No motor whine, what the hell?1?!! I actually love the motor whine in my truck as do anyone that has ridden in it. Often saying it sounds like a jet spooling up, why would they take out a part of its personality.

 

[Greg614]

any improvements in the dash wind noise? it's almost worth jumping to another vehicle ... very annoying interstate driving it's so loud

 

[Vik]

• I'll be buying the electrochromic roof.

Can you expand on why the electrochromic roof was great?

 

[SurfnBike]

So how did the Max pack drive in comparison to the Standard? The weight difference must have been noticable, no?

 

[BrianB]

Thank you for this.

The two points that stood out were the smaller frunk and the new sound system.

Do you happen to know what the cubic feet is for the new frunk? The Gen 1 is 11.1 cubic feet if I recall. The new Gen 2 being smaller is a bummer and hope that it's not too significant. The frunk storage space is really important for a lot of folks.

As for the stereo, definitely not surprised there. You're 100% correct as well in that Tesla has them beat by a large margin. The stock premium Tesla system destroys Rivian. It's such a bummer that Rivian couldn't put a decent system in there, at the very least to just get a "pass" in respect to the price point. Big miss there.

Really appreciate you taking the time to include these details.

Anyone found a good aftermarket upgrade for the audio? I assume a preamp and a sub would do wonders.

 

[natcc99]

Can you expand on why the electrochromic roof was great?

Thanks for asking. I have the same question.

@evhelphub Did it block the heat? What did you like most about it?

 

[Scoiatael]

The more and more I hear about the Gen2, the less I'm concerned I'm missing out driving a Gen1 R1T. With all the software I'll get that's similar to Gen2, the additional Gen2 efficiency/functionality (HP, Automation+?, Suspension, cameras, etc) at the expense of Frunk Space, Base Audio, cooling speed doesn't seem worth an upgrade. If I didn't have an R1T, Gen 2 would make perfect sense, although I'd have to spend more to get the same level vehicle (upgaded interior & audio).

For me the camera is the biggest upgrade. Gen 1 cameras are garbage, and the dash cam is border line useless. I still ran a regular dash cam to capture license plates in case I had an accident. With Gen 2 the 4k cameras should provide good enough clarity to actually not need a 3rd party dash cam.

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