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The Build

My R1S is a Dual Motor AWD with the Max battery and Performance Upgrade in El Cap Granite. It also includes the 22" Sport Dark Wheel Package, Black Mountain + Dark Ash Wood interior, Darkout Package, Air Compressor, Sound + Vision Package, Dynamic Glass Roof, Rivian Premium Audio, and native NACS charging.

Taking Delivery

Delivery at the Las Vegas Rivian Service Center went smoothly overall. Before pickup, I used Mike Kantorski’s Rivian delivery checklist to help inspect the vehicle.

View Delivery Inspection Checklist →

Thanks to that guide, I noticed two doors needed alignment, part of the wood trim had a defect, and the heater wasn’t functioning correctly. Obviously not ideal on delivery day, but the app made it easy to document everything and create service requests.

Service Experience

Rivian repaired everything I reported after delivery, however the heater issue has intermittently returned. Sometimes it works perfectly, other times it can take 15 to 20 minutes before warm air starts coming through the vents.

Right now I’d estimate it works correctly around 60% of the time. Rivian is sending a mobile technician to my house next week, which is still a pretty cool ownership experience compared to traditional dealerships.

I’ve also developed a rattle in the front passenger door. It’s most noticeable during bass-heavy songs or on rougher roads. Not a major issue, but definitely noticeable once you hear it.

Charging

There’s a Rivian Adventure Network station about 15 minutes from my house, so I’ve taken advantage of the included free charging several times already. Every visit has been easy with no wait for chargers.

Still, home charging is the real game changer. I already had a Tesla Wall Connector installed, so charging overnight has been incredibly convenient. I keep the battery capped at 70% for daily driving and will likely only charge to 100% before longer trips.

I haven’t taken the R1S on a true road trip yet, so I can’t fully comment on long-distance charging. But having the native NACS port is a huge plus. Pulling directly into Tesla Superchargers without an adapter removes a lot of anxiety.

Driving Experience

This is where the R1S completely wins me over. The ride is incredibly quiet and smooth. Occasionally I hear the suspension compressor or HVAC system working hard, especially in Vegas heat, but it hasn’t been nearly as dramatic as some videos online made it seem.

I love the auto-kneel feature when parked, especially with kids climbing in and out. I did disable automatic ride height adjustments while driving because I wanted to reduce how often the vehicle constantly raises and lowers itself.

Oddly enough, the setting keeps turning itself back on every few drives. Same thing with the middle-row climate vents. Sometimes they automatically turn off when the car starts, sometimes they don’t.

Software quirks aside, the driving experience is excellent. The Performance Upgrade makes this SUV absurdly fast for its size, and the turning radius is much better than expected for a three-row vehicle.

Sound + Vision Package

This may be controversial, but I think the audio system is much better than online reviews suggested. For context, mine is a 2026 model with the updated Sound + Vision Package.

SiriusXM sounds average, but Apple Music with Dolby Atmos is where the system really shines. Albums like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, and John Coltrane’s Blue Train sound fantastic.

Some albums definitely sound flatter than others, but that feels more related to the recording itself than the speakers. I’ve slightly increased the bass levels and overall I’ve been very happy with the system.

The Dynamic Glass Roof is also surprisingly useful in Las Vegas heat. Slightly gimmicky? Maybe. But it definitely helps reduce sunlight and cabin heat.

Tires & Wheel Choice

One thing I’m watching closely is tire wear. Right now it’s still too early to know how long they’ll realistically last, but I’m mentally prepared for them to wear quicker than a normal SUV tire.

At this point, I’d still choose the 22" Sport setup again. Since about 85% of my driving is on pavement, the smoother and quieter ride matters more to me than ultimate off-road capability.

When I brought my R1S in for service, Rivian gave me a Launch Edition R1T loaner with all-terrain tires and the Meridian audio system.

Honestly, it made me feel much better about my configuration choices. The all-terrain tires were noticeably louder than my R1S setup. To be fair, the truck had around 40,000 miles on it, but the road noise and hum were distracting enough that I immediately appreciated the quieter ride of the 22" sports.

Visually, I still think the all-terrain setup looks better on the R1S. But from a practical standpoint, I think prioritizing comfort and daily drivability was the right decision. And honestly, the 22s still look great.

Final Thoughts

Before this, I owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and a Land Rover Discovery. Both had their own issues, especially the Jeep.

At this point, I don’t really expect perfection from modern vehicles anymore. Everything is software-heavy now and every brand seems to have quirks.

But if the R1S continues driving this well long term, it’ll easily become the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Even with the occasional issues, every time I get behind the wheel, it still feels special.

Detailed reviews of mats, spare tire kits, adapters, organizers, screen protectors, and more — with photos and links to buy. Coming soon.