This guy Jeremiah Jones is a Tesla influences with 100k subscribers but he is also a fair and balanced reviewer. He got a test drive in the new R2 and I thought this was a great review.
@DuesyGuy just test drove an R2 last week. Would be interested in his opinion as his every day driver is a Tesla X. I have watched videos from that guy myself and I agree, he tries to shoot down the middle.
Tesla bobos like me see the R2 as a solid contender but not quite there yet. My biggest issue is the tech and self-driving stuff feels less advanced, and I wonder about long-term reliability of the car and company. On the flip side, I recognize a decent vehicle that I personally think is better looking than the Model Y. Rivian is getting close but not quite there yet. Not sure they will ever get there.
And the trucks are just goofy mid-size sorta trucks. Rather have an F150E or a CT.
Nice video. I have yet to drive a Rivian yet, but they peak my interest. I appreciate the design choices for the interior. Overall it looks sleek. The two screens appear more helpful than busy. And the UI looks cleaner as well. These design choices could be what helps Rivian form a customer base to compete with Tesla.
With my Tesla Model 3, I am constantly annoyed having to navigate the main screen while driving. I'll need to make a quick setting adjustment and I find myself having to dig through menus, which cover important information as I drive. Something like the direct in front screen could be enticing to a new buyer.
Design decisions alone may not be enough for Rivian to truly compete with Tesla's dominance (charging network is a big deal), but it could be a way for them to stand out to customers. They can provide what Tesla lacks. Rivian could be quite appealing to those who don't appreciate Tesla's current trend of being as minimal as possible.
