Pricing
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.
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Rivian R1S Tri
Great vehicle. I bought again after previous quad was totaled by a hurricane. Would buy again. One star demerit for all the rattles in doors and dash.
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No Power?
I picked up my new Rivian R1S Tri today. I ordered it with a wall charger, and it was supposed to come with an adaptor that allows it to be charged at Tesla charging stations. Neither was with the vehicle when I picked it up. So, it is a $150,000 brick and Rivian support said they can't provide any information about it until next week.
Worst car I’ve ever owned
It looks cool. The electric accelerates fast. Those are the only two pros. The ride quality is horrible! It’s literally unsafe how badly it bounces and handles! Mine is a 2025 and is apparently better than prior years but it is still terrible! My 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser drives smoother. The tech is also horrible! It’s slow, doesn’t use CarPlay. Between the ride quality and tech I can’t bring myself to drive it. Buyer beware. Get anything else!
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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.
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Best family and adventure oriented SUV
This SUV does everything well, from amazing electrical performance to all around utility SUV. For the adventurous, it’s great for camping, even keeping me warm in 22 degree weather at a State Park campground. It’s a great size too, with lots of storage. With access to the Tesla chargers, roadtrips are amazing.
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Rivian Rocket
This SUV should be #1 by all standards. Why? Because they continually update and improve this system monthly with free over air updates. With a 240V in your garage you’re good
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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?
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A True Adventure SUV with Brains, Brawn & Quirks
We’ve had our Rivian R1S for a year, and overall, I genuinely love this vehicle. It’s fast, nimble, spacious, and purpose-built for people who live active lifestyles and actually use their SUV to go places, do things, and enjoy the outdoors. What I Love: 1. Acceleration & Handling: For a big SUV, the R1S drives like a much smaller, sportier car. Acceleration is instant and thrilling, and the handling—on and off pavement—is remarkable. 2. Interior Comfort: The cabin is roomy, modern, and genuinely comfortable. It’s practical and well thought-out, with excellent visibility and a minimalist yet functional layout. 3. Tech & Self-Driving: The self-driving features work well and are improving with updates. Rivian’s software interface is intuitive once you get used to it. Camp Speaker: Sounds like a gimmick until you use it. It’s awesome. 4. Off-Road Capability: High clearance, plenty of torque, and capable driving modes make it fun and reliable for camping and dirt-road adventures. What Needs Work: a. Service Scheduling: Easy to book via the app, but I’ve had appointments cancelled and rescheduled by Rivian without much notice. It’s odd and mildly frustrating. b. Mobile Service Limitations: The mobile technician was friendly and knowledgeable, but their on-site tools are limited. Major service still requires a visit to a facility. c. Software-Defined Vehicle: This is both a pro and a con. The R1S is essentially a computer on wheels, and that’s great—until it’s not. If you’ve ever had to reboot your home computer, expect to do the same here once in a while. You must be comfortable with tech to really enjoy a Rivian. d. Interior Fit & Finish: While the overall interior is great, the door handles and closures feel lightweight and cheap. This detracts from the premium feel. e. Flat Tire Reality Check: If you get a flat, you’re in for a challenge unless you’ve prepared. BUY the optional spare, make sure you have the compressor, and watch the YouTube videos before it happens. Practice at home. Seriously. f. Wireless Phone Charger: The built-in magnetic charger is weak. Get a good aftermarket unit. g. Hot Climate Limitations: We live in Arizona. The sunroof doesn’t block enough UV, so the cabin heats up quickly. The A/C works, but it’s underpowered for rapid cooling. Use the app’s cooldown function in advance—it's essential in hot climates. Final Thoughts: Ignore the 1-star reviews—this is not a 1-star vehicle. The Rivian R1S is a well-built, fun-to-drive, and truly innovative SUV that’s meant for a new generation of drivers. It’s not a traditional luxury SUV, and it doesn’t pretend to be. If you’re looking for an ultra-polished, coddling ride, look elsewhere. But if you want a capable, adventurous, software-driven SUV with serious personality and constant OTA improvements, this is a solid 4-star ride. No regrets.
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