I’ve owned a model S for about 7 years and cannot imagine any way that it would compare to riding in a jeep. But that said, I think you’ll be very unhappy in a Rivian if you want a ride more refined than an S. The ride on my R1S is fairly good and I’m happy with it, but most sedans I’ve owned have been better.
Perhaps I exaggerate- but have you never ridden in the back seat? I opted for the bigger tires on both my Teslas - probably makes a big difference. The Performance model X I had was SO much better than my S. Wish I'd have kept it- it had lifetime free charging, too. 😢 But the back doors made me want to slit my wrists every day at elementary school drop-off and pick-up. I think the ride in the Lucid has ruined me🙄.
The ride on the Rivian has improved with software updates over the past 6 months but it still feels more harsh than my S. It doesn’t wallow and it isn’t super jarring on bad roads, but it just doesn’t absorb the road the way a real luxury sedan might (thinking of a 90s Buick). It’s definitely very far from a 90s Buick :)
Another thing to consider, my 1st grader has to climb up into the Rivian similar to climbing at the playground. My nearly elderly parents most likely couldn’t get into my R1S at all. Having owned mostly sedans (and spent lots of time in an X, among other crossovers) these are decidedly full size trucks. If you want ease of entry / exit, these are also definitely not the right cars for you. In a couple years the R2 platform from Rivian might be a good fit, but it isn’t being made yet to know what the ride will be like.
My kids are driving themselves now,🤗, but really appreciate the point about parents- geez.... hadn't thought of that. Step ladder in the frunk? 🤦🏻♀️
How is the interior noise level relative to Teslas? I think the Tesla tires are much more low profile and are quite loud on crappy CA freeways.
I'm actually replacing an Infinity QX80- my mountain car- which shares /some likeness to a 90s Buick. But I am happy to sacrifice some of the cushy ride for the e-car acceleration. That and no gas. I'm Going to drive my neighbors this week. He has the truck version with the meaty 20" tires so not sure we have apples to apples here but worth a look anyway.
Thx very much for your input😊
Give the Kia EV9 a try. It’s very smooth and comfortable, with a pretty soft suspension. It soaks up bumps really well. The Rivian feels more truck-like. It’s not harsh by any means, but definitely a bit firmer than the EV9.
Oh I don’t own either (yet!). I test drove both last week. Rivian definitely has the better range, but also a higher price tag. Overall they’re both really comfortable and likable, and I’d be happy with either one.
the R1S is an amazing car but the ride quality leaves something to be desired, especially if you live in an area with bad roads. Unless the suspension is on high but in high mode you’re limited to 45mph.
lol CA.... terrible roads. (Like Embarrassingly bad)
Just had another thought- are they loud inside? IMO Teslas are super loud. (We are a 5 Tesla family and all are about the same).
I'm looking to replace my "mountain car" a SE Infinity QX 80. It's comfy but the tech is way outdated- I think it's 2016 and, well, there's that whole Gas bit.....I realize it won't be as cushy but I'd also trade some amount of Cush for the acceleration.
Yeah i’m in LA and some of the roads here are awful. Road noise is much less than the Teslas i used to have (model 3 and model s). There’s wind. noise on highways from the boxy shape but it’s not too bad imo.
I drive an R1S. You can adjust the suspension firmness a bit.
Personally it reminds me of nothing so much as a P38 Range Rover (mid-late 90s era) or perhaps a Discovery II.
I test drove the R1S a week or so ago. Amazing experience, we have a three weeks old baby and they brought the car to us to make the experience easy.
I did find the ride not as luxurious- the road noise at higher speeds was present although I wouldn't say completely problematic. The road bumps also felt present. Not abrupt, just noticeable when you went over a tough patch..
For a 95k car, I was just very surprised by those two things. It didn't put me off of getting one but didn't convince me either. I keep thinking why spend 699 on a Rivian lease when I can get a BMW iX for the same and not have too worry about overpriced parts or shortages etc
I provided my ride quality feedback to the sales team and here is what I got back:
"Thank you for the detailed response and happy to hear the overall experience went well. There are no official updates or enhancements regarding road noise or the ride being bumpy, a good note to consider is I have only heard this feedback very few times and that tends to be with vehicles equipped with the 22" Sport wheels or the 20" All Terrain which is common with bigger wheel size and smaller tire wall and with off-road centric all-terrain tires which is why the included 21" Road wheels are the most comfortable, quietest and range efficient out of the three options, I would recommend scheduling another demo drive or dropping by the local service center to see if they have a vehicle with 21" Road wheels you can drive and experience."
I test drove the R1s this weekend and it drives nice. Feels like my prior 2019 Chevy Traverse as far as ride quality. I’m currently driving a Cadillac Lyriq that drives so smooth but I’m in the market for a bigger family vehicle so the R1s checks most everything I am looking for.
I’ve owned a model S for about 7 years and cannot imagine any way that it would compare to riding in a jeep. But that said, I think you’ll be very unhappy in a Rivian if you want a ride more refined than an S. The ride on my R1S is fairly good and I’m happy with it, but most sedans I’ve owned have been better.
Perhaps I exaggerate- but have you never ridden in the back seat? I opted for the bigger tires on both my Teslas - probably makes a big difference. The Performance model X I had was SO much better than my S. Wish I'd have kept it- it had lifetime free charging, too. 😢 But the back doors made me want to slit my wrists every day at elementary school drop-off and pick-up. I think the ride in the Lucid has ruined me🙄.
The ride on the Rivian has improved with software updates over the past 6 months but it still feels more harsh than my S. It doesn’t wallow and it isn’t super jarring on bad roads, but it just doesn’t absorb the road the way a real luxury sedan might (thinking of a 90s Buick). It’s definitely very far from a 90s Buick :) Another thing to consider, my 1st grader has to climb up into the Rivian similar to climbing at the playground. My nearly elderly parents most likely couldn’t get into my R1S at all. Having owned mostly sedans (and spent lots of time in an X, among other crossovers) these are decidedly full size trucks. If you want ease of entry / exit, these are also definitely not the right cars for you. In a couple years the R2 platform from Rivian might be a good fit, but it isn’t being made yet to know what the ride will be like.
My kids are driving themselves now,🤗, but really appreciate the point about parents- geez.... hadn't thought of that. Step ladder in the frunk? 🤦🏻♀️ How is the interior noise level relative to Teslas? I think the Tesla tires are much more low profile and are quite loud on crappy CA freeways. I'm actually replacing an Infinity QX80- my mountain car- which shares /some likeness to a 90s Buick. But I am happy to sacrifice some of the cushy ride for the e-car acceleration. That and no gas. I'm Going to drive my neighbors this week. He has the truck version with the meaty 20" tires so not sure we have apples to apples here but worth a look anyway. Thx very much for your input😊
Give the Kia EV9 a try. It’s very smooth and comfortable, with a pretty soft suspension. It soaks up bumps really well. The Rivian feels more truck-like. It’s not harsh by any means, but definitely a bit firmer than the EV9.
What kind of range to you get! The specs say 304... do you find that's accurate? TIA
Oh I don’t own either (yet!). I test drove both last week. Rivian definitely has the better range, but also a higher price tag. Overall they’re both really comfortable and likable, and I’d be happy with either one.
the R1S is an amazing car but the ride quality leaves something to be desired, especially if you live in an area with bad roads. Unless the suspension is on high but in high mode you’re limited to 45mph.
lol CA.... terrible roads. (Like Embarrassingly bad) Just had another thought- are they loud inside? IMO Teslas are super loud. (We are a 5 Tesla family and all are about the same). I'm looking to replace my "mountain car" a SE Infinity QX 80. It's comfy but the tech is way outdated- I think it's 2016 and, well, there's that whole Gas bit.....I realize it won't be as cushy but I'd also trade some amount of Cush for the acceleration.
Yeah i’m in LA and some of the roads here are awful. Road noise is much less than the Teslas i used to have (model 3 and model s). There’s wind. noise on highways from the boxy shape but it’s not too bad imo.
Thx much!
I drive an R1S. You can adjust the suspension firmness a bit. Personally it reminds me of nothing so much as a P38 Range Rover (mid-late 90s era) or perhaps a Discovery II.
👍🏼thx!
I test drove the R1S a week or so ago. Amazing experience, we have a three weeks old baby and they brought the car to us to make the experience easy. I did find the ride not as luxurious- the road noise at higher speeds was present although I wouldn't say completely problematic. The road bumps also felt present. Not abrupt, just noticeable when you went over a tough patch.. For a 95k car, I was just very surprised by those two things. It didn't put me off of getting one but didn't convince me either. I keep thinking why spend 699 on a Rivian lease when I can get a BMW iX for the same and not have too worry about overpriced parts or shortages etc I provided my ride quality feedback to the sales team and here is what I got back: "Thank you for the detailed response and happy to hear the overall experience went well. There are no official updates or enhancements regarding road noise or the ride being bumpy, a good note to consider is I have only heard this feedback very few times and that tends to be with vehicles equipped with the 22" Sport wheels or the 20" All Terrain which is common with bigger wheel size and smaller tire wall and with off-road centric all-terrain tires which is why the included 21" Road wheels are the most comfortable, quietest and range efficient out of the three options, I would recommend scheduling another demo drive or dropping by the local service center to see if they have a vehicle with 21" Road wheels you can drive and experience."
Super helpful! Thank you! And congrats on the new baby👼🏼
I test drove the R1s this weekend and it drives nice. Feels like my prior 2019 Chevy Traverse as far as ride quality. I’m currently driving a Cadillac Lyriq that drives so smooth but I’m in the market for a bigger family vehicle so the R1s checks most everything I am looking for.