As you consider the Rivian R1S, you’re likely wondering which years stand out as the best and worst. With its modern design and customizable LED lighting, this electric SUV has certainly made a statement.
But what about its performance, interior features, and advanced safety systems? You’ll want to learn more about the R1S fares in these areas, especially considering its competitive pricing and impressive EPA range. What secrets will you uncover as you dig deeper?
Quick Navigation
Key Takeaways
- Since the R1’s redesign, there have been no reported worst years, with consistent improvements in design, technology, and features.
- The 2022 model boasts a 92.5 kWh usable battery capacity, delivering a 270-mile EPA range, making it a compelling vehicle for its price.
- The R1’s advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, are enabled by a powerful computer and high-speed data communication.
- While the R1 has some limitations, such as false collision warnings and lane centering issues, its overall performance and reliability are exceptional.
- The R1’s thermal management, exceptional range, and advanced safety features make it a top contender in its class, with no reported worst years.
Sponsors and Rivian Overview
As you plunge into the world of electric vehicles, you’re likely familiar with the importance of reliable sponsors.
This video is backed by Star Charge, Nokian Tires, and Amber, with Star Charge being a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial battery storage and microgrid solutions.
Nokian Tires offers made-in-USA all-season tires and dedicated EV winter lines, emphasizing safety and sustainability.
Amber provides a modern extended warranty for Tesla batteries without long-term commitments.
Now, let’s shift focus to Rivian, a pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer.
The Rivian R1 has been in production for months, with deliveries just starting to roll out.
Design and Features
You’ll notice significant upgrades to the R1’s lighting features, including customizable RGB LEDs that can display different patterns, as well as new LED segments that light up when charging.
The redesigned door handles now produce a satisfying sound when opening and closing.
Additionally, the interior sound system has improved with the Meridian system, although it still has room for growth.
LED Lighting Upgrades
The Rivian R1’s LED lighting upgrades bring a fresh, modern touch to the vehicle’s design.
You’ll notice the revamped light bar, now spanning the entire side, giving it a more three-dimensional look.
- Integrated fog lights and relocated turn signals for a sleeker appearance.
- Customizable RGB LEDs that can display different patterns, including emergency flashers.
- Mirrors redesigned to match the new lighting signature, featuring a slimmer Dynamic lighting design.
These upgrades enhance the Rivian R1’s overall aesthetic, making it a head-turner on the road.
Improved Door Handles
Rivian’s designers have revamped the door handles, incorporating sleek features that refine the overall design.
You’ll notice the door handle now has a more ergonomic grip, providing a comfortable grasp for your hand. The handle’s subtle curvature complements the vehicle’s angular lines, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Additionally, the door handle LED light now illuminates the surrounding area, making it easier to locate the handle in the dark.
These thoughtful design tweaks boost the R1S’s overall sophistication, solidifying its position as a premium electric SUV.
Customizable RGB LEDs
Moving beyond the refined door handles, your attention is drawn to the customizable RGB LEDs that adorn the R1S’s interior.
These vibrant lights add a touch of personalization to your driving experience.
You can customize the RGB LEDs to display various colors and patterns, creating a unique ambiance that suits your mood.
- Mood lighting: Adjust the color and intensity of the LEDs to match your mood.
- Ambient lighting: Set the LEDs to respond to the car’s acceleration, braking, or cornering.
- Custom color palette: Choose from a range of colors to match your personal style.
- Seamless integration: The LEDs are expertly integrated into the interior design, ensuring a cohesive and premium look.
Interior and Technology
You’ll notice a few subtle changes as you step inside your R1S.
The door handles, now electronically actuated, feel lighter and less premium.
Mirrors with integrated high-resolution cameras provide a clearer view of your surroundings.
The charge port has an eject feature, eliminating overheating issues, and no longer has a light ring.
You’ll no longer find a key fob, replaced by a tap-to-start feature on the new key.
The phone charger has a rail to reduce sliding, but it’s still prone to overheating, a common issue with wireless charging.
Performance and Architecture
You’re about to experience the R1S’s electrical architecture revamp, which has been completely overhauled to support the vehicle’s advanced features.
This revamped architecture enables faster processing and more efficient power distribution, allowing for a more seamless user experience.
You’ll also benefit from the powerful computer that enables advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
Electrical Architecture Revamp
- Centralized power distribution: Efficiently routing power to all components.
- High-speed data communication: Enabling rapid exchange of critical vehicle information.
- Advanced electrical component protection: Safeguarding against electrical surges and faults.
These upgrades have transformed the Rivian R1S, providing a more responsive and reliable driving experience.
Powerful Computer Enables
As the Rivian R1S’s electrical architecture revamp yields a more responsive and reliable driving experience, its powerful computer take center stage.
You’ll appreciate how this powerful computer processes vast amounts of data, ensuring seamless communication between systems.
With rapid processing and vast memory, it enables advanced features like advanced driver-assistance systems, intuitive infotainment, and precise navigation.
This powerful computer enables over-the-air updates, keeping your R1S current and optimized.
As you drive, you’ll appreciate the powerful computer’s role in delivering a refined and engaging driving experience.
Battery, Thermal Management, and Pricing
Rivian’s battery, a crucial component, boasts a 92.5 kWh usable capacity, delivering more than 99 kWh to the charger and achieving an impressive 270-mile EPA range.
You’ll appreciate its thermal management, as it’s better in LFP batteries compared to high nickel chemistries due to cooling strategy and sensors.
- The LFP battery is a good option, especially for the standard dual motor truck.
- Leasing might make up for the lack of tax credit.
- The Rivian is quieter on the inside but louder on the outside compared to other electric vehicles.
- The Rivian is a compelling vehicle for the price, especially compared to the EV9.
Exterior Upgrades
The exterior of the new Rivian R1 boasts several notable upgrades.
You’ll notice the redesigned light bar that spans the entire side, giving it a modern and sleek look. The mirrors have also been revamped to match the lighting signature, and you can even black out the chrome for a more customized look.
In terms of wheels, you have options – a redesigned 22in wheel with removable caps or a new base 20-in wheel. If you don’t need off-road capabilities, the 33in tires are a great choice.
Lighting Revamp
With its revamped exterior, you’re immediately struck by the R1’s lighting revamp, which brings a fresh, modern aesthetic to the table.
The new design features a redesigned light bar with three-dimensional LED lights below it, replacing the old one.
- Customizable RGB LEDs that can show different patterns, and emergency flashers that demonstrate the new LED segments.
- The turn signals have moved, and fog lights are integrated into the new layout.
- The Dynamic Adventure lighting now sport a slimmer design, matching the front lighting signature.
- LED lights have been incorporated throughout the design, giving the R1 a cohesive look.
Door Handles and Mirrors
You’ll appreciate the electronic actuation feels of the Rivian R1S’s door handles, which provide a smooth and seamless experience.
The camera integration is also improved, offering you a clearer view of your surroundings.
As you interact with the door handles and mirrors, you’ll notice the attention to detail that Rivian has put into these often-overlooked features.
Electronic Actuation Feels
Electronic actuation brings a distinct feel to the Rivian R1S‘s door handles and mirrors.
When you open or close the doors, you’ll notice the handles feel lighter and less premium compared to previous models. This is because they’re electronically actuated, a significant design change.
- The electronically actuated door handles sound good when opening and closing.
- The mirrors have cameras integrated into them, providing high-resolution images.
- The door handles may lack the premium feel.
- The cameras in the mirrors are an improvement over previous models.
Camera Integration Improved
The Rivian R1S’s camera integration is a standout feature, particularly in regards to the door handles and mirrors.
You’ll appreciate how the camera seamlessly integrates with the door handles, providing a wide-angle view of your surroundings. This feature is especially useful when parking in tight spaces or traversing through narrow trails.
The camera integration with the mirrors is equally impressive, offering a clear view of your blind spots and rearview.
Charging and Cameras
As you plug in your Rivian R1, subtle LED segments on the rear light up to indicate charging, effectively replacing traditional fog lights.
The new charge port design ditched the light ring and added an eject feature, addressing previous overheating problems with the pins.
- Charge Port Redesign: No more light ring, but an eject feature to facilitate seamless charging.
- The cameras have a better resolution and layout, with a turn signal camera integrated into the mirrors.
- Camera Upgrades: The front camera is slightly bigger, with more ADAS hardware for advanced safety features.
Phone Charger Issues
Your phone’s charging woes are finally addressed in the Rivian R1S, which tackles the frustrating issue of slow charging speeds and overheating. This issue is particularly important for drivers who rely on their phones for navigation and music. The R1S’s wireless phone charger guarantees your device stays charged and cool, even during long road trips.
| Feature | R1S | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Charging | ||
| Fast Charging | ||
| Overheating Protection |
With the R1S, you can bid farewell to phone charger issues and hello to a seamless driving experience.
ADAS System Weaknesses
Rivian’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to improve your driving experience, but some weaknesses in the system may leave you wanting more.
While the Highway Assist feature is a notable highlight, some owners have reported issues with the system’s functionality.
Specifically:
- Lane centering issues: The system may struggle to stay centered in the lane, especially on roads with faded or non-existent lane markings.
- False collision warnings: You may receive false warnings of an impending collision, even when there’s no real danger.
- Blind spot monitoring limitations: The system may not detect vehicles in your blind spot, especially at high speeds.
- Adaptive cruise control inconsistencies: The system may not consistently adjust speed to match traffic conditions, leading to an inconsistent driving experience.
Electrical Architecture Advantages
The Rivian R1S boasts a cutting-edge electrical architecture that provides several advantages.
You’ll appreciate the improved system reliability and reduced complexity, thanks to fewer components and less wiring. This means fewer potential failure points and easier maintenance for you.
The advanced electrical architecture enables seamless integration of advanced features like the R1S’s ADAS system and infotainment system, providing a more cohesive and responsive driving experience.
With its robust and efficient electrical architecture, the Rivian R1S is engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and convenience.
Ride and Handling Improvements
As you get behind the wheel, you’ll immediately notice the R1S’s improved handling and ride quality, thanks to its redesigned suspension.
The changes are significant, and you’ll appreciate the difference.
- Reduced porpoising, a rear-end oscillation effect that was present in the outgoing R1S.
- Improved ride quality, making the R1S more refined and nicer to drive.
- A more comfortable driving experience, thanks to the new ride being much nicer and more refined.
- More precise control over the vehicle’s dynamics, thanks to its new suspension and electrical architecture.
