Used 2023 Rivian R1S Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 R1S, so we've included reviews for other years of the R1S since its last redesign.
Does most things well; a few things just bonkers
Rivian in NorCal, 10/13/2023
2023 Rivian R1S Launch Edition 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
There’s nothing else like this on the road. We wanted a 3 row electric SUV. Only other option right now is the Tesla X and its third row is too small for older kids and adults. So I test drove the Rivian. This is my first electric so there are a few things like the control center and regenerative braking that take a little time to get used to. Overall, while it’s not perfect, it does so many things well. It’s fun to drive, it’s fast, comfortable you can still carry 7 people AND a bunch of luggage. If you want to, the off road and towing capabilities are nuts. It has shortcomings but if you put the whole package together I just don’t think there’s anything that competes. Pros: - a large SUV like this has NO business going as fast as it does. Tesla drivers get it. But coming from your usual 3 row SUV, your brain won’t compute. It’s like a roller coaster launch. - maybe because of its design (big battery along the bottom) - it handles well for a vehicle this size. You don’t feel like it’s going to lose control and roll over around a corner. - very easy and compelling to drive. You’ll be hunting for reasons to take it out. - seats are comfortable. They’re not Mercedes comfortable - but nice vegan leather and I feel great in them after 2 hours. - stereo is good but not great. Apparently they switched from Meridian to their own audio components. Base and highs are still good but it’s missing the mid range. - ton of storage room. The frunk, where your engine is normally, adds a ton of extra space. Solid cargo space behind the third row. - I really like the tech. Good integration of Spotify, tunein and tidal, which gets you almost anything you’ll want to hear. And FM radio if you don’t have internet for some reason. - ton of room in the front row. Great driver comfort. Just feels good behind the wheel. - AC is super powerful. Car cools down in 30 seconds no matter how hot. It’s insane. Things to consider - not cons but mixed: - a good but not great ride - as with Tesla, almost all controls are in the center touch screen. - yes, it’s electric but it’s also 7,000 lbs - so it’s not so efficient. The bigger battery helps but ultimately it gets fewer miles per kilowatt hour. - service - at least in these early days, has some seriously long waits - like 2 months if it’s not an emergency. - no AM radio for you sports (etc) fans - no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Same as Tesla and now GM. But still may be an issue for some. - middle row not as spacious as I hoped. It’s fine. It works for average adults but if you have a full house of 7 adults then it can be a little cramped. - you have to pay for whichever music service or tunein. It’s par for the course these days but might be annoying to some. - it’s expensive. I mean, if you’re looking at this you know that. But if you’re comparing to a combustion car - Mercedes GL, BMW X7, Audi Q7 and similar sized cars — it’s a step below in comfort and ride quality. It’s way better than most cars. But that’s probably not your comparison so just keep it in mind. Overall it’s been a joy to drive this car. If you want 3 row electric that does most things well and a few things batsh*t crazy, you’ll love it.
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R1S & R1T owner
Early Adopter Denver, CO, 04/07/2024
2023 Rivian R1S Adventure 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
In a world of love it or hate it (5 star or 1 star) here is a bit of truth without the drama. We have had the R1T for 2 years and the R1S for about 7 months before we sold it a couple of weeks ago. Material quality if great, beautiful vehicles, stellar engineering and thought went into Rivian's 1st offerings. So why the 4 star rating you ask, there are a few things they did better with the R1T and early vehicles. Ride is more truck like in the R1S, our truck is smoother in moderate setting that R1S is in soft. Meridian system was definitely superior to the Elevation system that came in the R1S and later vehicles. Drive train on our 23 R1S was definitely improved over my early R1T in smoothness. Yes there will be clicks and noises from suspension, but it is unreal how well the dynamics of a vehicle this heavy are. If you want the float of a clapped out Cadillac this is not the vehicle for you. Wish area in rear was flat when 3rd row folded, makes getting longer object in rear for shorter people. Stories like no power to go up a hill are fake, this thing is brutally quick but incredibly easy to drive like a well mannered sedan. Right foot control is key here with so much fun on tap. Every vehicle has room for improvement, and I am quite confident Rivian knows exactly what to do to get that last star from me. My R1T does get a 5-star even after 26k of driving. Service date can be out a bit, but so is every other OEM so this is bothersome but not a Rivian issue. Until people get back to being doers instead of trying to be internet influencers, this will be an issue in all industries. In the end it is an incredible vehicle with a few opportunities for improvement. If you don't need the extra seating, the R1T is more versatile with storage and ride quality. I look forward to many more vehicles from Rivian.
2023 Rivian R1S for sale near you
3 of 32 listings
- Adventure 4dr SUVMSRP: $76,59436 mi away
- Adventure 4dr SUVMSRP: $71,590In-stock online
- Launch Edition 4dr SUVMSRP: $71,5427 mi away
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Ultimate EV SUV
MDB, 01/09/2024
2023 Rivian R1S Adventure 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This was our first EV and the RS1 is a fantastic and very well engineered SUV. Adjusting to the 1 pedal driving (the regenerative braking is not subtle) takes about a day. The center console with the infotainment system and Amazon Alexa takes a bit to get used to coming from BMWs with Apple Carplay but it is much more comprehensive and controls nearly every aspect of the vehicle in a well designed UI e.g., music selection, heating and AC. Even the garage door opener can be easily programmed and appears on screen when you arrive home. The acceleration is so rapid for such a large vehicle. Flashlights in the door, air compressor, lots of space. 300 miles of range on conserve mode (essentially 2 wheel drive). However, snow mode, heating the cabin, windshield wipers all impact range. No issue if you're not taking long trips and using the charger at home. Currently, the charging infrastructure in New England is terrible — there are simply very few Level 3 chargers working and available when you need them.
Best vehicle I’ve owned
Green Lantern Riv, 09/26/2023
2023 Rivian R1S Launch Edition 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
For being a brand new auto manufacturer, Rivian really hit it out of the park with this one. I waited almost 3 years and it was well worth the wait. In a sea of egg shaped electric “SUVs” the R1S is the first real electric SUV. It’s big with not feeling too big. The surround view cameras are nice. The highway assist is what I need, although I’m sure there will be future updates. I love the monthly updates I get. I basically get a better and better car every month. The fit and finish are nice without being too sparse or overwhelming. Cooled seats are a nice touch. The vehicle itself has been really reliable. I’m almost 3,000 miles in and I’m getting an average of 2.38 kWh. Would I buy this again? Yes. I’ll probably be putting in a reservation for an R2 too once those become available.
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Solid (almost full size) Electric SUV
Scott, 01/01/2024
2023 Rivian R1S Launch Edition 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
While it is priced like a luxury SUV of years previous - this is not luxury, think electric 4Runner. People spending $80k+ on an SUV want Mercedes and BMW; buy those if you want luxury. This is a very capable four wheel drive vehicle. It rides like a body on frame SUV, just one that can accelerate like an early 00’s 911. The R1S is a bargain for those that had locked in pre-increase pricing; but at almost $100,000 now there can be more compelling option; unless you’re looking for a true large three row high capacity SUV - then there really is no competition.
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