I got my first EV...

Overview

• Owner (“Jay,” a YouTuber) bought a 2026 Rivian R1S (Tri‑motor Max Pack) for family use. The video focuses on technology, real‑world usage, ergonomics, charging, and driving impressions rather than environmental claims.
• Trim ID tip:

  Emblem inlay color denotes drivetrain — black = dual, yellow = tri, aqua/blue = quad.

Key vehicle tech & features

Drivetrain & performance

• Tri‑motor variant provides high acceleration; owner cites ~850 hp for the tri. Quad is advertised at >1,000 hp (quad typically trades range for power).
• EPA estimated range (Tri Max Pack): ~371 miles. Owner has seen up to ~346 miles in real use (HVAC and typical usage reduce achievable range).

Charging

• Native NACS/Tesla compatibility on 2026 model; adapters available (one expensive adapter reported around $400).
• Supports Rivian chargers, Tesla (NACS), ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo.
• Vehicle and app integrate charger selection, show available stalls, real‑time power (kW) and cost, and will precondition the battery en route to a fast charger to optimize charging speed/temperature.
• Typical observed behavior: ~100–122 kW on a 250 kW stall (often won’t reach the theoretical peak). Charging power drops significantly after ~80% state of charge.
• Home charging: 220 V (Level 2) charger recommended. Schedule charging for off‑peak (TOU) hours to lower cost (owner charges overnight).

Onboard cameras & recording

• “Gear Guard” provides always‑on exterior cameras. Road cam recording requires a USB‑C SSD (owner uses a 1 TB SanDisk plus a 90° USB‑C adapter).
• Dash button/shortcut to timestamp and save clips for incidents.

Driver assistance & autonomy

• Adaptive cruise control and Enhanced Driving/Highway Assist (geofenced). Enhanced assist is engaged by pulling the stalk twice (single pull = adaptive cruise).
• Uses cameras + radar/sonar + GPS for lane holding and smoother gap negotiation; owner reports it behaves better than some rivals.
• Driver monitoring prompts the driver to keep eyes on the road, can request hands on the wheel, and will disengage when conditions/geography are unsupported.

HVAC, comfort & interior tech

• HVAC consumes substantial energy (comparable to driving load); climate preconditioning improves range and charging performance.
• Features include pet mode, heated seats (no ventilated seats), multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, numerous USB‑C ports (including in headrests), and NFC wireless charging pads (slow).
• No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (Rivian does not implement them). Native apps supported: Spotify, Audible, SiriusXM; Google Cast and YouTube are available on the infotainment.
• Electroluminescent panoramic roof (vision package) with frosting control; there is no built‑in retractable shade.

Practical / utility features

• Frunk with drain (often used as a cooler at events).
• Built‑in air compressor tied to the air suspension for airing down/up tires; target PSI can be set via menu.
• No full‑size spare on the R1S (R1T truck has spare options). Aftermarket swing‑away carriers exist but may interfere with sensors and cameras.
• Split liftgate with manual release on the hatch; third row folds (middle power down / manual up). Large cargo area.
• Proximity door handle pop‑out can be limited to the driver handle for added security.
• Integrated garage door opener can clone rolling codes by placing the remote against the mirror during learning.

Build & usability notes

• No glovebox; there is a small registration slot under the driver seat.
• Interior materials/trim emphasize durability (e.g., canvas seat backs).
• Vent design: fixed vane areas; middle row fan speed is tied to the front row, third row is controlled separately — can be inconvenient for mixed comfort needs.

Practical observations — pros and cons

Pros

• Strong acceleration and refined electric driving experience.
• Capable highway/partial autonomous assist and extensive in‑car software features.
• Integrated charging networks, route planning with charger stops and arrival SOC targets, and camera recording for evidence.
• Good running cost improvements versus a gas SUV (owner: ~$110 charging over two weeks vs ~$90–$110 per week on gas previously — ~50–65% lower energy cost).
• Useful utility features: onboard compressor, battery preconditioning, integrated charger mapping.

Cons / concerns

• Rear emergency door release is hidden/hard to access — safety concern (especially for child escape).
• Heavy vehicle (~8,000 lb) results in a softer feel even in “firm” suspension, noticeable body roll, faster tire wear, and expensive manufacturer‑specific tires (Pirelli Scorpion with special spec).
• HVAC power draw significantly affects range; regenerative braking behavior requires adaptation from ICE habits.
• No CarPlay/Android Auto; Alexa integration can be flaky. Some UI touch targets feel small and potentially distracting.
• Steering is sensitive (small dead zone; center can feel touchy). Owner noted torque steer under aggressive acceleration (possibly a tri‑motor artifact).
• Fast charging still takes time for large batteries (typical ~45 minutes to reach 80% at many fast chargers). Charging slows when the battery/hvac is hot or running.

Guides, tips, and how‑tos

• Set up a USB‑C SSD (1 TB recommended) in the required port, use a 90° USB‑C adapter for road cam recordings and continuous drive logging.
• Use the Rivian app / in‑car planner for routing and including charger stops; set desired arrival SOC for route planning.
• Precondition the battery when navigating to a fast charger — the vehicle will do this automatically when the route is set.
• Schedule home charging during off‑peak TOU hours to reduce electricity cost.
• Use the built‑in compressor and air suspension port to air down/up tires for off‑road or sand driving; menu allows setting target PSI.
• Engage Enhanced Driving Assist by pulling the right stalk twice (single pull = adaptive cruise).
• Limit door handle auto‑pop to the driver door for security.
• To pair the garage opener: put mirror pairing into learning mode and hold the remote against the mirror (works with rolling codes, per owner).
• Carry a 90° USB‑C adapter to manage cable routing in the frunk and storage areas.

Charging & costs (practical numbers)

• Example Tesla fast charge: ~$22 for a near‑fill; owner observed ~122 kW on a 250 kW stall.
• Short session example: charging from ~71% to 90% cost ~$15 in one instance.
• Owner spent about $110 on charging over ~2 weeks; prior gas cost for the previous SUV was ~$90–$110 per week.
• Time‑of‑Use scheduling at home is important — charging during peak hours is notably more expensive.

User experience & driving feel

• Owner prefers High regen; one‑pedal driving reduces dependence on the brake pedal.
• EVs can be less efficient at sustained high highway speeds than in stop‑and‑go town driving (counterintuitive compared to ICE).
• One‑pedal regen transition and coasting behavior require adaptation.
• Enhanced driving assist handled merging traffic smoothly and better than the owner’s prior experiences with some Audis and Teslas.

Safety & maintenance considerations

• Emergency release accessibility in rear doors is a serious concern (owner strongly worried about child escape).
• Heavy vehicle weight and specialty tires mean higher consumable costs; expect tire expenses to be a major ongoing cost.
• Software updates and generational improvements (Gen‑2 over Gen‑1) fixed many quirks, but the vehicle is not perfect.

References, anecdotes & extra

• Sponsor mention in the video: Falcon Northwest (gaming PC), unrelated to car tech.
• Owner references other long‑trip review videos (e.g., Washington → Texas) documenting real‑world issues like flats, charger failures, and mobile repair calls.
• Owner is watching upcoming EVs (for example, the 2027 Scout) and considering future vehicle purchases.

Main speakers / sources

• Primary reviewer: Jay (owner of the 2026 Rivian R1S, nicknamed “Stormmy Daniels”).
• Passenger/contributor: Phil (appears in the video and comments).
• Manufacturer & service references: Rivian (vehicle & app), Tesla (charging network / NACS), ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo.
• Other sources: other YouTube reviewers and anecdotal long‑trip reports.