What makes Rivian unique?

[Nixapatfan]

There are plenty of things unique in the Rivian just doesn't seem like they are a priority for you.

• Styling
• Premium interior even though it's vinyl all materials are above average.
• Suspension system, kinetic swaybars, not the most isolating but pretty good no other gives you both sport and off road in 1 package other than maybe a Range Rover
• Gear tunnel on r1t
• Mostly Sealed bed on r1t
• Large frunk
• Manageable size, not too large but not small either.

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[SteveInBend]

Are there other 3-row EV SUV's with hydraulic roll control and height-adjustable air suspension systems? I'm too lazy to do a search.

 

[madhat]

You having an S makes it harder to differentiate.

Reasons I suggest a T over another S:
- it has a truck bed; super useful for someone that does a lot of home projects and got tired of getting an interior dirty/reducing occupant space to carry piles of gyp board, bricks, palm fronds, etc. Your S has the same downside as any car/suv
-gear tunnel is a great place to store tools! Your S has the same downside as any car/suv
-Frunk large enough for all our groceries. Your S beats a lot of EVs here (especially legacy models), but you have the ability to put it in the back that i don't (like all the other EVs).
-I can tow 11k lbs; Your S can't.
-My truck will cool off quicker (less interior volume), supposedly has better audio as well. Your S is like any other 3 row for AC.
-Your S has a third row, but that doesn't seem to be a sell point for either of us.

Reasons I can't find ANYTHING else comparable to my T:
- items listed above
-835hp and 0-60 in 3ish!
-EV specific things like lower maintenance, lower energy costs, time saved not filling up
-Pet mode! We use this often because of the dogs.
- Comfortable and (despite everyone's complaining) quite tech capable and impressive.
-Ride height/comfort adjustability
-1 pedal driving
-G1 Quads use Bosch motors; louder. The replacement for engine sound is the spaceship/airliner sounds when accelerating/decelerating.
-etc
-My wife required me to get a Truck/SUV/CUV, so I wasn't going to be commuting in a really fun, beautiful, and great sounding ICE car with a MANUAL like I would have chosen. I did briefly consider Santa Cruz, Bronco (but i hate 2.3Lecoboost/10 speed), Ridgeline, Ioniq, Mach E, CX-5/50. If no rivian, I would have gotten a CX-50 (since wife has a 5) or a Macan if Rivian didn't exist.

All these items can be found in some percentage in other offerings, but nothing has it all. I personally would not have bought an S because it brings less to the table and doesn't separate itself from the pack the way the T does. So i can't really help talk you into an S over competitors.

 

[MTVhike]

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?

Why don't you just renew your lease? That's what I've done with both of the cars which I leased (a BMW and a Volvo).

 

[mclark2112]

Lease prices have almost doubled since I bought mine two years ago. Also, I want to buy something that I can trade in for the R2 when I'm ready, don't want to be locked into a timeframe.

 

[ndmiller]

If you're in the market for a new vehicle and still interested in an EV, you should definitely shop other EV's on the market. While there aren't alot of choices, I'd test drive all the ones in the category your looking as each manufacturer has done some interesting things with their offerings. Tesla, Hyundai/Kia, Volvo, Ford/GM/Chrysler/Chevy, Polestar, Lucid, etc all have something new this year and definitely worth testing them out.

 

[mkg3]

It's less and less unique if the comparison is EV SUV or EV Truck.

Sure, some would argue that adjustable height/air suspension, on-road/off-road various driving modes, 3 row eSUV and so so. All of these things are only meaningful if that's what one is seeking.

Generally, though, as a daily vehicle, there is very little uniqueness to them. Having said that, what is unique about Rivian is the lifestyle and branding compared to others. It's not trying to be a work truck, or multi purpose vehicle. Rivian is selling adventure/outdoor/environmental lifestyle that happens to be packaged as a vehicle.

With R2, they are betting on the millennial and gen Zs to "experience" the lifestyle.

If all this sounds like a marketing bits, maybe. That said, just look at the general population of this forum and how most are passionate they are about Rivian.

 

[kanundrum]

Wrote this a long time ago but still valid

 

[mclark2112]

Rivian just makes me feel good. Maybe it's all marketing, and a lot of it is, but it brings me back to my younger days. I was an avid climber, skier, snowboarder, and mountain biker for most of my life. I stopped climbing several years ago, just no time, and getting older type stuff. I still ride, but not nearly as much as I would like. The Rivian somehow keeps me connected to my outdoor roots. It just feels good. And I love driving EVs. All the other EVs feel sterile and too fancy too me.

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