Gen 2 Rivian R1S vs Gen 1 Side By Side Build Quality Comparison Review!

[@JaeTheDev]

Long time Tesla owner, having owned 7 in the past decade, and am a content creator as well for the brand. Just picked up my 2022 Rivian R1T Quad, White on Ocean Coast and 21s the other day. Im blown away with its build quality and love it! I can only imagine the 2025 R1T!

[@brandonkylemarks]

Well... Don't watch the video for sure then

[@SkullEZClap]

Tesla’s are still better… Software is unmatched

[@beatsntoons]

This is one of the best Rivian reviews I've seen. Thank you so much for showing us all the pros and cons.

[@jree93]

this dude is a wealth of knowledge. one of the best Rivian reviews.

[@UtahValleyEV]

Never heard so little from Kyle. All jokes aside, great video and I hope you get your voice back soon!

[@steve304]

IVE BEEN SO EXCITED FOR THIS VIDEO!!! Thanks yall!!

[@douglasizzo]

One of the best build quality vids you’ve done! Bravo!

[@12345wow54321]

I'm surprised they didn't implement the R2 steering wheel controls into the Gen2 R1

[@darwking8188]

A wild Kyle appeared!!!

[@virtuserable]

18:13 - This really helps with resale value, I think the design and look is timeless and doesn't need visual refreshes

[@TeslaFlex]

I’m just disappointed that they changed the name from Kum and Go to Maverick 😠

[@daadreeb6582]

Thanks Coleton. Always enjoy your reviews. Couple items on my wish list. More charging ports in the front row that are easily accessible (ideally including a 12V). Traditional sliding sun shade for the roof. The monochromatic is too expensive and likely results in minimal reduction to heat that pours in during summer. My friends call mine the “not panoramic roof” because I have an aftermarket shade installed all summer.

[@danielam3829]

Our early 2024 build R1S Quad Performance has many build quality issues. The one issue that I didn’t get corrected (I wish I would have) is the drivers side front fender has a different curvature than where is meets the drivers front door. It creates a gap that is pretty noticeable. Other Rivian owners have also commented about this build quality defect. Also, the plastic trim around the bottom has uneven gaps on both sides of the R1S. The top hatch of the trunk was rubbing against the Satin chrome trim when closed. At 2,800 miles, the right rear drive unit had a catastrophic failure while on a cross country road trip in the middle of Montana

[@degnarius]

Rivian, bring back Compass Yellow and take my money!

[@RayNLA]

Rivian listened to Munro and associates. They made some cost cutting changes in order to become profitable.

[@TroySavary]

Nobody but Tesla stans listen to that hack.

[@searcey]

Totally agree, bring back door handles! Also, add nacs charge port.

[@nic1571]

Holy cow, I'm watching this video from Raindance and had no clue this channel existed... When I heard Wellington, I just assumed it was somewhere else but nope, right down the road haha. Glad to see interest in Rivian in my little hometown, and thanks for making these helpful videos about them!

[@OutofSpecDetailing]

My shop is literally 5 minutes from Raindance!

[@IronmanV5]

Kyle, try hot lemonade sweetened with honey. Great video Colton.

[@miami3863]

Gen 2 charge port looks removable. Possible retrofit for NACS?!?!? Heard it here first.

[@ab185]

Opening scene interesting to see the difference in how the headlights are powered show up because of the cameras chosen fps.

[@Fasty2107]

Appreciate your videos Kyle, keep up the good work!

[@GA-wq8xq]

Kyle is not in this video, thank god

[@paulb1951]

Always enjoy your content. Shame most of the vehicles aren’t available outside the US.

[@EricDFleming]

With kids, the electronic door handles are actually a plus. My 5 year old struggles to open the exterior. I fear she is going to break the thing off one day.

[@KaneTheMessiah]

Lmao I was so confused why Kyle was so quiet throughout the video till he mentioned he had no voice and when he tried to speak!

[@wowzone8921]

This was such an amazing video but Couldn't help but notice Kyle voice, get well soon

[@gNoj8956]

Gen2 should have gone NACS

[@CraftLulz]

How does the audio sound in comparison to meridian vs rivian elevation vs gen 2 premium audio?

[@chazcarpenter1559]

The Elevation Audio is the “Premium” audio in the new ones

[@robp3431]

I really really like the R1S, but the comment about the "commonly cracking" roof glass is just about enough to cross it off my list.

[@jbordinhao]

Glass roof in my 2023 R1S broke, put a little pressure on it as I’m loading my roof rack. 😞

[@paulbram2]

curious if you are comparing the Gen R1S suspension vs the original Gen1, or after the most recent Gen1 update, which seems to have improved even the Gen1 suspension quite a bit.

[@martinkasemsan9099]

Mechanical door handles inside and outside would save money and work better. Most of the time, simpler is better. From what I've read, all the changes reduce cost and speed up assembly. Good for Rivian and good for customers. I'm being pedantic, but I disagree with calling this a Gen2 vehicle. It's a mid-cycle refresh. All that said, I'd love one of these for my family!

[@Furtivo95]

All I could think about was a Big Mac and fries combo for lunch

[@johndavis7257]

I am definitely not a fan of the Gen 2 doors, their electronic handle implementation is great for what it is and I understand why they changed it but the doors seem noticeably less quality. Though it would significantly improve the ability for kids and such to close the doors. I love the heft of my Gen 1s doors. On my Gen 1 I definitely found some of the plastic pieces not fully clipped in. It was an early VIN unused demo vehicle that sat for years so it was fun getting to find all the things I had read about, but I’m kinda a nerd. 😂

[@JoeMarra-d6c]

😊Is there more than 1 choice of tires for the 22" other than the Pirellis all season & does Rivian make a sunshade for the panoramic roof

[@shuyuanzhang9917]

I almost placed order but I seen too much comments on the electrical problem for the Gen 2. Any idea if this is true?

[@efrainfjr]

No wonder the video is less than an hour, Kyle can't talk. Hallelujah!

[@jason84]

I'm guessing the reason there's no emergency release on the rear doors would be for child safety. Having a door latch that could open a door locked or unlocked accessible to a small child would probably be a bad idea

[@user-jg8vg7bc6f]

Back to you "Jordan"

[@karlwolf2]

Finally we can hear someone else speak besides kyle without getting interrupted

[@juanmorehome]

i agree on the door handles both outside and in. Definitely a bad move on Rivian's part. GO BACK TO THE OG HANDLES!

[@FthePump]

Interesting the build quality issues you are finding

[@ludovic2003]

I feel like my gen 1 better overall. Mine does not have the major build quality issues many ppl reported.

[@five50BCE]

I was hoping Rivian would add NACS and bi-directional charging. These are the only features keeping me from pulling the trigger on a Rivian R1T

[@wydryfly]

Exactly my reasoning too. 👍

[@brandonkylemarks]

Stunned they didn't add the 230v plug either

[@mjmellock]

I'll pick one up after the regular production vehicle is reviewed. That door handle thing is wonky. Not to mention the charge port door. Wait and see....

[@thedcgod]

This is the regular current production vehicle.

[@hvelez73ful]

The rattle noise on the door driver side is the flashlight.

[@thedcgod]

The Gen2 door close test was the passenger door. (The 1st gen driver door with flashlight did not rattle)

[@romanelkadj3207]

This new gen has Sentry Mode?

[@gone2plaid772]

Great video 👌🏼, poor Kyle’s voice 😕

[@jbielick]

It was wasn’t until this video ( 11:22 ) that it became apparent to me how the color temperature is different between the front light bar and the new headlight halo ring on the 2025 😖 Edit: hopefully this is a preproduction mismatch. It matches in marketing materials and other imagery.

[@five50BCE]

Yeah, I prefer the gen 1 matching color temp of the bar and stadium

[@dandaigle4546]

i'd love one but this is more expensive then my 2024 XT6

[@kw0006667]

Voiceless Kyle 😅 By the way, good comparison review!

[@petrovic3]

This video could have been an email

[@sandyk9997]

Oh Gosh, they still haven't moved the charging port position. Having it in that front left corner, makes it so susceptible to accidents and scraping damages. Even a minor damage to the charging port means your plug doesn't align and you can't charge it. Your car is dead! I wish they would move it closer to the door.

[@JoshGarciaJGG]

Haven't seen any in person but the new interior looks cheaper in terms of materials..

[@TheElectrocar]

You have to give credit where it's due, big automaker understands finesse. It's something Tesla and rivian both need work in that will only come with experience.

[@xtekian]

Took delivery of a 2025 R1S dual yesterday. Having only test driven the 1st gen and coming from a Tesla model Y, gen 2 has much better exterior and interior quality. It’s also very quiet on the highway, good suspension, it’s in a different class altogether. I think comparing to Gen 1 is insightful but not helpful for most as few are upgrading in that path. I think the quality is almost a BMW x5 or Audi Q7. The only thing I miss from the model Y is the speaker sound quality, however that was ruined by all the road noise anyways.

[@blazure101]

There's always the used car market and end of generation sales. Or you could watch a 1st gen quality review and use this one to get a more informed decision on what to expect out of 2nd gen. Most are probably upgrading from a combustion vehicle or maybe a Model 3 so I'd argue a Model Y to Rivian would be a less helpful video.

[@elgingaragegym]

I'm surprised that you're more favorable to the Gen 2. Seems overall that it's a step back. But batteries are better, cameras are better, better computer UI and performance. But hope the Ascend models do a better job.

[@dandaigle4546]

oh hi Kyle

[@user-jg8vg7bc6f]

How many times can you say "Jordan" - Jordan.

[@Dann.y]

not the prime in the cup holder

800,000 units no way maybe 80,000 units

[@OutofSpecDetailing]

A HUNDRED thousand not EIGHT hundred thousand.

[@puneethk5013]

Nope.. they have not build 800000 R1 vehicles.. not even close!

[@OutofSpecDetailing]

I said a hundred thousand lol

[@puneethk5013]

@@OutofSpecDetailing Oops!🤣

[@MrProy33]

Still just for posers who want to be seen in a truck. People who need a truck for work, to make money, buy real trucks, with real engines. We can't use your grocery getters, and we definitely don't care about 0-60 times, giant laptop screens where the dashboard should be, or aoftware updates.

[@davidcottrell570]

But R1S isn’t a truck, is it. If you own a real truck to make money, why should you be concerned about an electric 7-seat SUV? ICE powered trucks and SUVs cost a lot of money to put fuel in. Electric trucks and SUVs can be charged at home for $10-20. If you only need light duty vehicles for business, you would write down the increased capital cost of an EV and then save on running costs. Maybe you are concerned about the image you project to your clients. But financially, decreased running costs are worth considering, particularly if you run multiple vehicles. Perhaps this would be a good subject for an Out of Spec video: use-case scenarios for people using EVs for work.

[@GreenishSloth]

It has the same ugly rear-end design, and the price is still too high compared to Tesla to make this a viable competitor. I really hope that Rivian succeeds, but this is not it.

[@super_tomtendo]

Not sure you know this, but you are missing some arm

[@jaxxone4907]

Tesla owner here, yeah lol gaps are bad on the rivian