Test Drove a Rivian....my two cents

[Stlww18]

Saw an R1T launch edition on a lot near my office this morning, went over lunch to look at it from the outside. Sales person approached, offered to let me drive. R1T Launch Edition, quad motor LR battery. They wanted almost $140K for it, with about 110 miles on the odometer.

Definitely an incredible vehicle. Smooth, quiet, no body roll. Very rapid acceleration. Regen was really strong, even on "standard." Fit and finish were nice, though the driver's door seemed to have a latch issue. Good sound system, nice materials, clean minimalist look.

I found all the screens and lack of buttons confusing and non-intuitive. Even unlocking the doors from the inside was hard to figure out.

I obviously don't have my lightning yet, but compared to my normal experience with a full size F150, the Rivian was surprisingly small. I am not sure I could fit three car seats in the back. The bed was also very small, almost too small to really be practical. I don't know what the wheel well width was, but I routinely carry 12ft lumber in my short box F150 and would not feel comfortable doing that in the Rivian.

If you're reference point is a Tesla, and you want to go to a truck, the Rivian is the natural fit. If your reference point is a full sized truck, and you want to go EV, I think you'll find the Rivian a little undersized compared to what you're used to driving.

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[beatle]

I wish there were more trucks on the way that were Rivian sized. The bed is even shorter than my Ridgeline's, but it is the same length with the tailgate down @ 83 inches. I think I'd find myself using a bed extender with the Rivian more often. My Ridgeline's bed has been plenty for me in almost all cases, but I think I've only moved 12 ft lumber 2 or 3 times. 8 foot sticks are no issue.

Parking is so easy with a smaller truck, especially in a large metro area with small parking spots, and range would obviously be better with a smaller frontal area. The Lightning's size is its biggest drawback for me since my activities don't warrant a full size truck. We'll see if I adjust. I thought my Ridgeline was porky compared to my 98 extended cab Tacoma, but I adjusted to it.

 

[F150ROD]

The Lightning is super easy to park, by day 2 your parking like a pro

 

[F150LER]

I have my first rivian guide drive next week, I will be curious. My f150 is a work truck, the lightining is trying to make the best of both worlds.

 

[Vorador]

Doing my Rivian test drive this weekend. I used to have a 2019 F150 Lariat Supercrew, so the internal and external dimensions are pretty much the same as what the Lightning will have. Looking forward to being able to compare them before I commit to one.

 

[Roy2001]

I obviously don't have my lightning yet, but compared to my normal experience with a full size F150, the Rivian was surprisingly small. I am not sure I could fit three car seats in the back.

No way you can put 3 car seats.

 

[Stlww18]

No way you can put 3 car seats.

Yeah that’s my assumption but since I couldn’t test it I didn’t want to make a definitive statement.

I can get 3 in my 2016 XLT comfortably

 

[Yellow Buddy]

No way you can put 3 car seats.

Yea but let’s be realistic. By the time you Take delivery of the R1T, all three kids will be grown and out of the car seats anyway.

<——R1T Preorder Holder

 

[Roy2001]

Yea but let’s be realistic. By the time you Take delivery of the R1T, all three kids will be grown and out of the car seats anyway.

<——R1T Preorder Holder

Well, I did not mean which one to buy, just a statement of fact that Rivian is not wide enough for that purpose. It is simply not a full size truck.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Well, I did not mean which one to buy, just a statement of fact that Rivian is not wide enough for that purpose. It is simply not a full size truck.

It was a joke...

The R1T is much closer in size to a Honda Ridgeline than it is to a F-150. It's a bit of a tweener. For some that will be a plus, to others it will be a negative.

 

[YankeeCP]

Saw someone driving a rivian in my neighborhood and just based on glances from the road I have decided it’s Lightning or no EV truck at all

 

[joelb1]

Yea but let’s be realistic. By the time you Take delivery of the R1T, all three kids will be grown and out of the car seats anyway.

<——R1T Preorder Holder

Well, I thought it was funny!

 

[LoneStar]

Well, I really REALLY like driving my R1T.
And I'm waiting on my Lightning Lariat-ER build in a couple more months.

 

[F150LER]

No way you can put 3 car seats.

I’ve seen photos of three across.

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