Gen2 R1S Delivery and Review

• Vampires drain is now down to zero. Left it at the parking garage for 7 days. Cellular data and location services off on iPhone. Gear guard off.
• Definitely improved ride quality over Gen1. The new hardware is worth the upgrade to me. We leased Gen1 knowing Gen2 was around the corner and wanted to validate if the in-house motor would be reliable and less noisy half shaft issues.
• Upgraded cameras are amazing and definitely improved the driver plus.
• I am an audio file having owned Volvo XC90 with B&O upgraded sound and owning Land Rover defender with Meridian sound system. The Gen2 basic sound system is definitely better than the Gen1 but no where near a Land Rover or Volvo basic sound system. R1S Gen2 sound system has better base control and speakers sound like they have better insulation.
• Wifie loves having more interior ambient colors. R1T is hers and R1S is mine. Looks like both will become hers if I want to stay married longer and I will be back to driving my gas guzzling defender daily.
• Ocean coast interior pillar speaker grills are now white like they were originally supposed to be.
• Headlights are fantastic and are now cornering. It’s cool watching the matrix sort of do their thing when you turn the steering wheel.
• Storage cubby that replaced the camp speakers is not too bad. Great place to store tissue and spoons and of-course granola.
• Sound system quality has been improved.

• Worst delivery ever and this is my third Rivian. The vehicle was delayed for 3 days and I only found out after I driving 1.5hrs to the delivery center a day before my deliver since they ghosted me. On delivery day they seemed not interested in hearing about the issue I found so I grabbed my keys and split.
• Range is not always as advertised so dont complain since we all know the EPA testing standards dont repalce to real world highway driving at 75Mph.
• The phone proximity unlock seems worse on the Gen2.
• Wireless phone charger is improved but always overheats your phone instead of actually charging it.
• My Gen1 frunk water tank won’t fit the Gen 2.
• Those new electronic doors are going cause a lot of service tickets. They are hard to close and make a very unsettling clicking/grinding noise when opening. I can see that the filed down metal on the driver side door to avoid the noise but didn’t do it for the other door that are making the grinding noise when they open.
• Build quality is improved but I found a lot of panel gaps, deformed plastic door trims and underbody plastic panels that were sticking out. Service tickets submitted including for the door issues.
• Charging curve is about the same. No improvement that I have noticed.
• Driver plus leans more towards the right side of the lane and can be a little scary making you think the other driving is getting too close to you. Still needs work.
• The really should have put in illumination buttons on the steering wheel. Even simple back lite dots would have been okay if they don’t want to put arrows. All model 3s and non luxury cars have illuminated button for quick orientation at night.
• The seats are still firm and places you would rest your elbow or arms feel like they could use more padding. Sit in a Volvo XC90 or Range Rover Sport and you would know what I mean.

anthonysfl said:

On the wireless charger, I think it’s embarrassing that all the did was put that divider in the middle and called it fixed. No thank you on the retro fit for Gen1. Others in the community have done way better! This one I have from Adventure High Tech has to be the best out there. Sunglass storage, two phone chargers and a clean hidden look. Meanwhile…Rivian with a divider line, “oh it’s fixed!” Lol

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dleewla said:

great review. i appreciate hearing from an owner who has both Gen1 and Gen2 as it provides meaningful insights. also appreciate you covering the main issues/topics between the two.

my Gen1 also thinks its too close to the left side of lanes so it tends to lean to the right side. ive opened a service ticket to check this and see if they can recalibrate the system. im not sure its fixable but it can definitely be scary when it gets super close to other vehicles especially when the road curves.

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booslim45 said:

Hi everyone. I have had my Gen2 R1S for two weeks and already put 2K miles on it. Here is my video review of delivery and initial thoughts.




Background: 20” rims because of tire availability, we camp and off road at least once a month, ocean coast because why not. It’s a futuristic car. I have owned two Tesla with white interiors and no issues even after my nephew puked in the background seat twice. Baby wipes fixed everything. Air compressor always needed for airing backup and I don’t have to carry a portable one that I might forget.

We have owned a quad 202 Quad R1T 20” rims, ocean cost for 12k miles. Sold because of Bosh motor issues loud sounds and rattles that service center didn’t want to admit to or try to fix. Leasing dual motor R1T large pack 20” rims for 2 years. Hopping for better luck with the in house motor. Great motor but miss the pick up of the quad.

Just bought Gen2 R1S max pack, all terrain upgrade, ocean coast interior. After having trouble free with the in house motors we used our 20% discount for early reservation holders because of September 30th deadline.

The good from my 2k miles experience and a road trip to Florida.
Overall this is the car Rivian wanted to build but supply chain stopped them.

• Vampires drain is now down to zero. Left it at the parking garage for 7 days. Cellular data and location services off on iPhone. Gear guard off.
• Definitely improved ride quality over Gen1. The new hardware is worth the upgrade to me. We leased Gen1 knowing Gen2 was around the corner and wanted to validate if the in-house motor would be reliable and less noisy half shaft issues.
• Upgraded cameras are amazing and definitely improved the driver plus.
• I am an audio file having owned Volvo XC90 with B&O upgraded sound and owning Land Rover defender with Meridian sound system. The Gen2 basic sound system is definitely better than the Gen1 but no where near a Land Rover or Volvo basic sound system. R1S Gen2 sound system has better base control and speakers sound like they have better insulation.
• Wifie loves having more interior ambient colors. R1T is hers and R1S is mine. Looks like both will become hers if I want to stay married longer and I will be back to driving my gas guzzling defender daily.
• Ocean coast interior pillar speaker grills are now white like they were originally supposed to be.
• Headlights are fantastic and are now cornering. It’s cool watching the matrix sort of do their thing when you turn the steering wheel.
• Storage cubby that replaced the camp speakers is not too bad. Great place to store tissue and spoons and of-course granola.
• Sound system quality has been improved.

The bad

• Worst delivery ever and this is my third Rivian. The vehicle was delayed for 3 days and I only found out after I driving 1.5hrs to the delivery center a day before my deliver since they ghosted me. On delivery day they seemed not interested in hearing about the issue I found so I grabbed my keys and split.
• Range is not always as advertised so dont complain since we all know the EPA testing standards dont repalce to real world highway driving at 75Mph.
• The phone proximity unlock seems worse on the Gen2.
• Wireless phone charger is improved but always overheats your phone instead of actually charging it.
• My Gen1 frunk water tank won’t fit the Gen 2.
• Those new electronic doors are going cause a lot of service tickets. They are hard to close and make a very unsettling clicking/grinding noise when opening. I can see that the filed down metal on the driver side door to avoid the noise but didn’t do it for the other door that are making the grinding noise when they open.
• Build quality is improved but I found a lot of panel gaps, deformed plastic door trims and underbody plastic panels that were sticking out. Service tickets submitted including for the door issues.
• Charging curve is about the same. No improvement that I have noticed.
• Driver plus leans more towards the right side of the lane and can be a little scary making you think the other driving is getting too close to you. Still needs work.
• The really should have put in illumination buttons on the steering wheel. Even simple back lite dots would have been okay if they don’t want to put arrows. All model 3s and non luxury cars have illuminated button for quick orientation at night.
• The seats are still firm and places you would rest your elbow or arms feel like they could use more padding. Sit in a Volvo XC90 or Range Rover Sport and you would know what I mean.

Overall I recommend getting it and plan on getting the Gen2 R1T when our current lease is over.

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DH0 said:

Second the door fit issue on Gen2. Alignment is not great, takes a lot of effort to close and yet the doors don't feel solid and make disconcerting sounds.

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DH0 said:

Second the door fit issue on Gen2. Alignment is not great, takes a lot of effort to close and yet the doors don't feel solid and make disconcerting sounds.

Efficiency has been good so far on 22's...about 2.7 mi/kWh with 70/30 highway/city driving.

Ride quality is much improved as others have stated.

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Riv E In said:

Great review. For what I like/dislike in a vehicle I still prefer the Gen1 thankfully!

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Scoiatael said:

Nice review and video. Though if you want to make it on youtube, you need to make the review video 2 hours long

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