Pricing
Rivian left me stranded with a dead battery!
I was traveling and my Rivian R1S battery died, both the main and the auxiliary, died. I called Rivian for urgent assistance to help me replace the auxiliary battery so that I can't get into the car and charge my car and get back on the road. I can't even unlock and get into the car right now. They gave me an appointment of 2/28, over 2 weeks away, with their mobile service to replace the aux battery. In the meantime, I don't have a car! Their support tells me that they treat this as a higher priority but they have not been able to give me an earlier appointment! This is really frustrating as a car owner! Rivian has to deal with these situations as soon as a car battery dies. Can't just treat it as business as usual. Very disappointed in the Rivian service. Can Rivian improve their Roadside assistance to help stranded car owners with a sense of urgency when their car battery dies? Can you improve your response time for these dire situations?
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wanted to love the vehicle but poor quality
I was so excited to finally get my Tri Max. I loved the looks and it drove like a dream. However, the quality is atrocious for an over $100K vehicle. Constant squeaks from the passenger side. A “premium” stereo that is embarrassing. It has been in the service center longer than I have actually been able to drive it. Two rear drive unit replacements and it still is not working. I hope Rivian gets their act together and starts investing in their service network. It would be a great vehicle but the quality is so poor for this (or any) price range.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- Dual Standard 4dr SUV w/Standard Battery, Adventure Interior$70,590In-stock online
- Dual Standard 4dr SUV w/Standard Battery, Adventure Interior$73,590In-stock online
- Dual Standard 4dr SUV w/Standard Battery, Adventure Interior$67,590In-stock online
Scared of maintenance, tires, paint and body costs
It drives like an Amazon delivery vehicle. Perfect for around town, just not far from home. Huge range anxiety, battery never reaches full range when temps are below 40 degrees (bad for Denver). Glass roof turns vehicle into a sauna in the summer, impossible to cool. AC compressor is so loud in the summer that it sounds louder than a diesel engine. Had a flat tire - somehow the alloy in the rim was punctured as well- $1200 to fix + $400 alignment charge that didn't fully fix the alignment issue. They also would not send the wheel to a local tire shop - had to spend $200 to get the car towed to them. Then it took them a full week to change the tire at the Denver shop (which is loaded with Amazon delivery vehicles - so maybe a little busy). Major software bugs for the first couple months of ownership. And they REALLY try to discourage service appointments (they would cancel tickets often that were opened in the app). Seems like a giant "go elf yourself" type of customer service. I guess EV makers operate in a kind of forcefield - where they are bathed in self-righteousness vs evil gas vehicles, that are constantly targeted with class action suits, lemon laws, etc.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
After 31,785 Miles: Best Vehicle I've Ever Owned
We've now had our Rivian R1S for over a year and have accumulated 31,785 miles. At this point, I feel comfortable saying something I rarely say about any vehicle: this is the best vehicle I've ever owned. The R1S has proven itself not just as a fun and innovative SUV, but as a practical, reliable daily driver and long-distance road trip vehicle. It continues to impress me in ways that most vehicles don't. What I Love Performance & Handling For a three-row SUV, the R1S is astonishingly quick. Acceleration is immediate and effortless, and the handling remains one of the vehicle's most impressive qualities. Despite its size, it feels far smaller from behind the wheel. Whether navigating city streets, mountain roads, or dirt trails, the R1S is confident, composed, and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Long-Distance Comfort I recently completed my first major road trip in the R1S, driving from Tucson to Las Vegas and back—approximately 850 miles round trip. The vehicle was exceptionally comfortable throughout the journey. The seats remained comfortable after hours on the road, cabin noise was low, and the ride quality was excellent. Most importantly, Rivian's latest hands-free driving system dramatically reduced driver fatigue. After using it extensively on the interstate, I can confidently say it is one of the most valuable features Rivian has added to the vehicle. Rivian Adventure Network This trip was also my first experience using Rivian's charging network, and it exceeded my expectations. I departed Tucson with a full charge and stopped at Rivian Adventure Network stations in Wickenburg and Kingman. On the return trip, I charged in Las Vegas, then again in Kingman and Wickenburg. Every charger worked perfectly. The stations were conveniently located near restaurants, shops, and services. In Kingman, I even managed to get a haircut while the vehicle charged. Charging costs were noticeably lower than many EV charging networks I've used previously, and the overall experience was seamless. Rivian deserves significant credit for building a network that is reliable, easy to use, and located where travelers actually want to stop. Reliability Perhaps the biggest surprise has been reliability. After more than 31,000 miles, we have experienced zero maintenance issues. None. The vehicle has required only routine service, and every service experience has been positive. Mobile Service Rivian's mobile service continues to impress me. Technicians routinely come directly to our home and perform an amazing amount of maintenance right in the driveway. It still feels unusual to have service completed without ever visiting a dealership or service center, but Rivian has made the process remarkably convenient. Earlier in ownership I had concerns about service scheduling, but Rivian's service execution has improved considerably and my recent experiences have been excellent. Interior & Technology The cabin remains spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The software continues to improve through over-the-air updates, which is one of the biggest advantages of owning a Rivian. The Camp Speaker still sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it. Then you wonder why every vehicle doesn't have one. What Needs Work Interior Fit & Finish Details The overall interior is excellent, but some of the door handles and closure mechanisms still feel lighter and less substantial than what I'd expect in a vehicle at this price point. Software-Defined Vehicle Reality The R1S is fundamentally a computer on wheels. Most of the time that's a tremendous advantage. Occasionally, however, you'll need to perform a reboot or reset. Owners who are comfortable with technology will adapt quickly, but buyers expecting traditional automotive simplicity should understand what they're purchasing. Wireless Phone Charger The factory wireless charger remains underwhelming. There are several excellent aftermarket options that work significantly better. Hot Climate Performance We live in Arizona, where summer temperatures can be brutal. The glass roof still allows significant solar heat into the cabin. The air conditioning performs adequately once the cabin cools down, but preconditioning the vehicle through the app remains essential during the hottest months. Flat Tire Preparedness My advice remains unchanged: buy the spare tire package, learn how to use the compressor, and familiarize yourself with the procedure before you actually need it. Comparison to Other Luxury SUVs We also own a BMW X7 M50i, which is an excellent luxury SUV in its own right. However, Rivian's hands-free driving technology and software experience are simply on another level. The BMW's driver assistance features feel dated by comparison. Rivian's system is more capable, more confidence-inspiring, and significantly more useful on long highway trips. Final Thoughts Ignore the one-star reviews. The Rivian R1S is not a perfect vehicle, but it is an outstanding one. After more than 31,000 miles, multiple road trips, daily commuting, charging network experience, and routine ownership, I can confidently say that this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It's fast, comfortable, practical, adventurous, technologically advanced, and constantly improving through software updates. Most importantly, it has proven reliable and enjoyable to live with every day. If you're looking for a traditional luxury SUV, there are plenty of alternatives. But if you want a vehicle that genuinely feels like the future while still being capable, practical, and fun, the Rivian R1S is one of the most compelling vehicles on the road today. Five stars. No regrets.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
We sold it after very expensive service
Rivian is a young company still trying to get the infrastructure up to support buyers. The car drives well but overall the experience with Rivian has been disappointing. An example was this spring where I called in three times to confirm that the guy that came to service my car could take care of an error message, every time I was promised a callback - none were received. Ed the mobile service person arrived and fixed my window but not the error message. He promised to send the service notes this afternoon, to enable me to set up another service appointment. In line with my expectations of Rivian’s follow up - I received nothing. Of course the existing service call for was closed, leaving me with no ability to connect to the prior conversation. I can’t even express my frustration I have waited 2 months to get the car fixed, did follow up to no avail. Amy body work is immensely expensive, a minor accident turns into something major. Expensive and takes a long time first to get your car in for service second to get it repaired. We since sold the car and bought another electric from a more experienced car company.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value








