What makes Rivian unique?

[Jambalaya702]

Lease is ending soon on R1S. What I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE about the vehicle:

• Great daily commuter car
• No need to fill in gas
• No regular service needed
• Braking system (not having to use the brake while driving)
• Panoramic monitor
• Acceleration

When considering if I should lease another Rivian, I realised that all the things I love about the Rivian aren’t exclusive to Rivian. I can get these items in any EV at half the price.

I don’t have any deep connection with the vehicle other than what I listed above. Unlike an internal combustion where each automaker has a unique engine roar that connects you to that vehicle, an EV feels more like an appliance. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, it just feels sterile and I have no connection with the vehicle. I just see it as something that gets me from point A to B. I’m a simple person and hate luxury and technology and don’t care about a vehicle’s design. I am also considering going back to an internal combustion vehicle just because I miss an engine roar and gear shifting while driving. Forgetting about an internal combustion engine, what makes Rivian unique vs. me considering another EV vehicle?

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[iansriv]

There are a lot of things I like about my R1. But, there are times I miss my ICE car. The reasons are very similar to what you describe-the roar of the engine, tighter handling and a stick shift. This might be because we grew up with that. I will say that the R1S is one of the, if not the, best handling SUVs I've ever driven. IF you think that you can get the same things in another EV at half the price-get that. IF you feel you miss ICE cars too much-get that. LIfe's too short to not drive what you want. Cheers.

 

[mclark2112]

I am in the same boat as far as my lease goes. Let me add to your list about what makes me have trouble even considering another vehicle at this time. But first some things I've learned about other EVs while test driving or researching and they are not all the same by a long shot. I don't think I can go back to gas for my daily, EVs just drive so nice.

What I love about my R1S, in addition to your list:

• Size, great for home depot runs, MTB days and other assorted large hauls.
• Not as large as I thought it would be (in a good way). Other options just feel too small.
• Powered, large frunk. I've gotten so used to this. The power open/close makes me use it every day. I never used the frunk on the Model Y.
• Software. It really makes a difference to have a vehicle that is designed from the ground up to be a holistic experience. Tesla does this, and Polestar does too but with a little less success it would appear. Lucid is in this category too, I haven't driven one yet.
• Split lift gate. I love this. My wife has it on her X5, and I have always liked that design.
• The perfect mix of luxury and ruggedness.
• Range is just right with the large pack.
• 2 inch receiver for my bike rack is fantastic
• Phone App is much better than legacy auto maker apps

My short list of other EVs I have considered: Polestar 3, Lucid Gravity, BMW iX or i4. I don't think BMW is there yet, but the vehicles are sweet. Lucid is a minivan, loses on the ruggedness factor I like. Polestar 3 came close because their deals are ridiculous right now, still loses on the ruggedness as well.

I think the R2 will be my perfect vehicle, but I still need something to get me there. I think I'll by a used R1 to bridge me tot he R2. But the stupid deals on the Polestar 3 are hard to ignore right now.

 

[COdogman]

I love the sound of a strong ICE engine too, but I don’t miss it even a little bit. What connects me to my Rivian is that it’s been the most versatile and fun vehicle I’ve ever owned. After 2.5 years it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

 

[chrengel]

Great read all! I’m in a new R1S lease but will be in this boat in a little less than three years. I realize much will change and improve by then (not saying anything bad about what I’ve got now which is my first EV), but I’ve got my eye on the Scout Traveler. I haven’t seen many on this forum comment on that option probably because they’re not set to release for at least another year.

 

[BigSkies]

What makes the Rivian unique (and expensive) in your case is that it's a 7-seat SUV.

You're looking at a 5-seat CUV if you're looking for something significantly cheaper. This means the R2 is for you. Or an Ioniq 5 or EV6.

If you truly don't care about the tech, gizmos, and wow factor, than the new Nissan Leaf looks like a good option at a great price. It may not have the acceleration, but it's probably the lowest cost of ownership vehicle you could ever buy.

 

[Greg Chick]

My major need/love is the ground clearance! I live @ 5,000 ft. elevation, I require 4x4 and smart traction. The ability to lower for range mileage and up for snow berms on road @ my driveway, is 100% unique to the Rivian, no other EV vehicle can do this. The other issue that is part of my need is I have home solar power and I do not pay much for fueling my R1T except for the rare DCFC on the long trips.
Ok, the Rivian service Ctr is over 100 miles away in Los Angles, but they have been very good on all levels with me. I rate Rivian as a luxury vehicle and the most powerful truck I have ever owned.

Yea some of that geeky crap is annoying, but being a Boomer I will just put that into the whole plie of IT crap that is all over the world.

 

[runwithscissors]

I am in the same boat as far as my lease goes. Let me add to your list about what makes me have trouble even considering another vehicle at this time. But first some things I've learned about other EVs while test driving or researching and they are not all the same by a long shot. I don't think I can go back to gas for my daily, EVs just drive so nice.

What I love about my R1S, in addition to your list:

• Size, great for home depot runs, MTB days and other assorted large hauls.
• Not as large as I thought it would be (in a good way). Other options just feel too small.
• Powered, large frunk. I've gotten so used to this. The power open/close makes me use it every day. I never used the frunk on the Model Y.
• Software. It really makes a difference to have a vehicle that is designed from the ground up to be a holistic experience. Tesla does this, and Polestar does too but with a little less success it would appear. Lucid is in this category too, I haven't driven one yet.
• Split lift gate. I love this. My wife has it on her X5, and I have always liked that design.
• The perfect mix of luxury and ruggedness.
• Range is just right with the large pack.
• 2 inch receiver for my bike rack is fantastic
• Phone App is much better than legacy auto maker apps

My short list of other EVs I have considered: Polestar 3, Lucid Gravity, BMW iX or i4. I don't think BMW is there yet, but the vehicles are sweet. Lucid is a minivan, loses on the ruggedness factor I like. Polestar 3 came close because their deals are ridiculous right now, still loses on the ruggedness as well.

I think the R2 will be my perfect vehicle, but I still need something to get me there. I think I'll by a used R1 to bridge me tot he R2. But the stupid deals on the Polestar 3 are hard to ignore right now.

I don't get the luxury part at all on a Gen 1. I always ask myself what is premium on my Gen 1 and I can't think of anything. Sure it looks good but luxury? No way. Suspension is terrible on the R1S, charging is slow, infotainment screen decent graphics but lags, cameras are absymal with weak self driving, speakers are meh, power inverter is a joke and software is years behind Tesla and will never catch up. It drives nice with 1 pedal driving on smooth roads (even with 20's) but to me the early pricing is all that it's worth.
I'd be pissed if I bought a 2024 Gen1 prior to Gen2 at that price point knowing it's a mothball in the lineup. I knew I was a beta tester when getting it and that's exactly what it is.

 

[Rade]

I don't miss the weekly trips to the discount gas stations (since November of 2024). Husband traded in his ICE SUV this past September for a Model Y, and he's also realizing how much of an annoyance the trip to the pump was. Both charging at home; I keep the R1T at 75%, he keeps his Y at 80%. Perfect for all of our needs. Running us about $30 a week (per vehicle) to keep the charge; gas was running us around $40.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

If you don’t care about performance, size or luxury there is no real reason for you to choose R1. That said, R2 should still fit the bill and give you everything but the engine roar.

Personally I mock the engine sounds now as all show and no go. When I hear a car floor it on the road yet putter along it amuses me because my Rivian is so much faster.

 

[Rade]

Personally I mock the engine sounds now as all show and no go.

My husband and I look at each other and go "...like he thinks he's doing something..." as we blast past in stealthy quiet.

 

[Rade]

I think the R2 will be my perfect vehicle, but I still need something to get me there. I think I'll by a used R1 to bridge me tot he R2. But the stupid deals on the Polestar 3 are hard to ignore right now.

Question - would the buyout on the R1S lease be cost effective for you? Perhaps less expensive then another new EV. Reason: You may gain the equity in the R1S when, a year or so down the road, you look to go into an R2. On buying it out, I know here in RI, you could get a state clean energy rebate on the used EV (you state may have a similar program).

My husband reserved and R2 last April, but his Nissan Rogue hit major end of useful life in August. He's leasing a Tesla Model Y until the next gen of the R2 rolls out in a couple years.

 

[DuoRivians]

I don’t see anything unique about Rivian any more. There was a moment when I thought it was the anti-Tesla and help drive the EV revolution. But now, I’m less optimistic on Rivian and understand that EVs are becoming commoditized pretty quickly.

 

[mclark2112]

Question - would the buyout on the R1S lease be cost effective for you? Perhaps less expensive then another new EV. Reason: You may gain the equity in the R1S when, a year or so down the road, you look to go into an R2. On buying it out, I know here in RI, you could get a state clean energy rebate on the used EV (you state may have a similar program).

My husband reserved and R2 last April, but his Nissan Rogue hit major end of useful life in August. He's leasing a Tesla Model Y until the next gen of the R2 rolls out in a couple years.

My residual is $71k for a vehicle with 40,000 miles. I am looking at the same color R1S I have, with 25000 miles tomorrow. They want $57,000. Doesn't make sense to buyout my lease.

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