Rivian SUV Proprietor Shares First Impressions

Darrell Woo has beforehand shared with us about his Teslas and his father’s Ioniq 5. He additionally uploads loads of movies about EVs on his YouTube channel. Just lately, he changed his Mannequin Y with a Rivian SUV. It appeared like a superb alternative to get some inside data on this intriguing EV, so I reached out to him and he shared his first impressions beneath.

First, here’s a fast R1S snapshot:

• All-electric SUV
• Three seat rows
• 260 miles of vary for the usual battery pack, over 300 for the bigger non-obligatory pack
• Massive frunk and rear cargo space
• Costs — $79,800 and up
• 0–60 mph in about 3.1 seconds with the quad motor powertrain
• Weight: a bit of over 7,000 kilos

Why did you select to get the Rivian?

They’re similar to Tesla in loads of methods, from the direct to client mannequin to their very own charging community. I’m assured this firm will make it as a result of they’ve merchandise that no one else available in the market is providing proper now. At present they’re promoting each SUV they will construct and have a backlog effectively into 2024. And even when they do begin to stutter, they’re Amazon backed, so they’d most likely leap in and purchase Rivian if it got here right down to that.

Did you take into account related EVs such because the Tesla Mannequin X?

We did. However since we’ve had this preorder in since July 2021, my last value was fairly a bit cheaper than right now’s pricing. Moreover, the Mannequin X was nonetheless costlier than right now’s Rivian pricing and actually not a lot greater than a Mannequin Y. We have been searching for a real SUV, not an outsized crossover.

Was there a federal tax credit score accessible? Any California incentive?

As a result of we ordered so early, we have been capable of make the most of the “outdated” EV federal credit score for automotive corporations who hadn’t offered 200,000 items. We have been sadly not capable of make the most of any CA credit or rebates although.

Which model of the Rivian did you get and the way a lot horsepower does it have?

At present solely quad motor R1Ts and R1Ss can be found. The quad motor variants have about 835 HP and about 900 ft. lb of torque. That’ll shoot you to 0–60 in 3 seconds! In a 7,000+lb SUV!

How lengthy have you ever had it and what do you want about it thus far?

We took supply a bit of over 3 weeks in the past. The scale and cupboard space. Tons of room within the hatch for our 2 canine plus gear. And an enormous further house within the frunk for much more storage. No joke, a full dimension grownup would be capable to match into the frunk. That’s how huge it’s.

How spacious is the frunk?

There may be precise utilization room to retailer a ton of stuff. Not simply 2 grocery luggage or a pizza, haha. I imagine it’s measured out to 11 cu ft.

How spacious is the inside in comparison with your Teslas?

Large. To be honest, the Mannequin Y was snug as a 5 seater. Nothing flawed with it. However the R1S has a ton more room and you may match 7 adults within the automotive with no issues. The third row is loads large enough for any grownup on an extended street journey. Sadly, when you have a 7-seater Mannequin Y, you possibly can’t say the identical.

Picture Credit score: Darrell Woo

How are the dealing with and construct high quality?

Dealing with and construct high quality are wonderful. No loopy panel gaps. Automobile handles nice for an SUV. Tesla house owners would wish to grasp that this isn’t a crossover on a automotive chassis, however a full on SUV constructed on a truck platform (physique on body). So the automotive isn’t going to be as nimble. However it additionally has way more room, so there’s that.

What’s the car’s guarantee?

As with many issues Rivian, it’s fairly just like Tesla. 5 yr bumper to bumper or 60,000 miles. 8 yr battery pack and drivetrain or 175,000 miles. 8 yr physique corrosion guarantee as effectively.

Did you might want to get a distinct dwelling charger?

No. Though the NEMA 14-50 solely will get you 15 MPH on a Rivian, we don’t drive that a lot. So it’s completely advantageous for us. Nonetheless, you might need to improve to a 48A on 60A breaker charger just like the Rivian wall charger or Tesla wall charger. It is dependent upon your state of affairs and the way a lot you drive. A median commute would nonetheless be advantageous on a NEMA 14-50 if charged each evening. I’m contemplating getting a Tesla wall charger (J1772 model) only for enjoyable for the coolness issue, however we’ll see.

The place do you cost the Rivian outdoors of your own home?

Proper now I’d have to make use of Electrify America for DCFC (Rivian DCFC aren’t in our space but). Nonetheless, the cherry on high of me was that Rivian might be leaping to the Tesla plug/community subsequent spring. So as soon as the SC community is open to Rivian, I plan on utilizing that solely for DCFC. Rivian has introduced that for us early adopters which have J1772/CCS cost ports, they’ll present us adapters to cost on Tesla’s community totally free.

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