I drove the next-gen R1S/R1T and Rivian is getting better at making electric vehicles
I drove the next-generation R1S and R1T electric vehicles from Rivian, and my main takeaway is that the company is getting better at making electric vehicles.
Not that it wasn’t good before, but it clearly needs to keep getting better to get to profitability.
Last week, Rivian invited me to Seattle to check out the next-generation of its R1 vehicles: R1T and R1S.
I already shared all the main changes, which are primarily aimed at reducing Rivian’s manufacturing costs, but here I am going to share my first driving impressions.
Electrek’s Seth Weintraub was supposed to go to the drive, and he would have been a better reviewer, considering he owns a first-gen Rivian R1S and has much more experience than I do behind a Rivian wheel to highlight the differences in this new generation.
However, some scheduling conflicts mean you are stuck with me, who has little to no experience with Rivian vehicles. I’ll do my best.
Again, the main goal of this update was clearly cost reduction. Rivian needs to roughly half its production costs in order to turn its gross margin positive and achieve profitability to support its expanding infrastructure, like service centers, charging stations, and more.
As I wrote in my previous post, the concern was that as Rivian cuts costs, it would damage its premium customer experience by making its vehicles “cheaper,” so to speak. I have been reassured on that front.
Most of the changes have to do with improving the manufacturability of Rivian’s vehicles, which will have no direct impact on the driver experience. However, in order to achieve higher manufacturability, Rivian did things like bring more motor engineering and manufacturing in-house.
That has allowed the company to get more out of its many motor and battery combinations – resulting in impressive improvements in specs:
I love all these options. There’s something for everyone… who can afford a $80,000+ vehicle.
You have the same options on the R1S, the SUV version, but it is a bit slower than its pickup counterpart, and has a third-row.
During my day of driving the next-gen R1s, I got to spend a little bit of time in the R1T Quad Max to do a few launches on a drag strip:
I’m not sure why you’d want to bring your pickup truck to the drag strip, but it’s nice to have that power when you can use it.
I couldn’t get the 2.5-second advertised 0 to 60 mph time, but I came close at 2.7-second, and I saw some other media people get it while on the drag strip.
Rivian also brought us to DirtFish to do a bit of rally, in a 6,000-lbs vehicle, yes, and some off-roading.
I was particularly impressed by the ability to control many different levels of traction controls and regenerative braking in rally and off-road modes.
Now, that’s all fun and games, and the R1s are both very capable off-road, but let’s be honest, most people are going to use these vehicles on road, and for good reasons.
Both the R1S and R1T have a great balance of premium luxury experience and utilitarian capabilities.
First off, the interior is absolutely splendid. I love the aesthetics. It’s like a nice compromise between Tesla’s ultra-minimalist software-based approach and the crowded luxury of some of the legacy luxury automakers.
I am a big fan of the new Plaid package in this particular version and the seats are super comfortable both in front and back.
There are a few software features that I’m jealous not to have in my Tesla, like Chromecast from your phone. That’s pretty cool.
On the road, the R1S was a smooth drive. I never drove the previous generation, but I know it was using the same suspension as the R1T tuned differently and that means some compromises. With the second generation, Rivian decided to go with some hardware changes between the R1S and R1T’s suspensions.
I was driving with Quinn from Snazzy Labs, who owns a R1S, and therefore, he was able to note a significant improvement.
Even with this improvement that I can’t quantify, I have to say that I preferred driving the R1T. You don’t feel the weight of either vehicle, thanks to the extremely responsive electric drivetrain, but I liked the slightly more dynamic driving of the pickup.
As a Tesla driver on the highway, I got so used to ADAS that I quickly missed it for any decent-distance travel.
I was happy to see that Rivian has updated its autonomy system with the next-generation R1 platform. The autonomy hardware suite now includes 11 cameras all around the vehicles with 8 times the number of megapixels. There are also 5 radars and ultrasonics all around:
You need a powerful onboard computer to handle all the data coming from all these sensors, and Rivian is partnering with Nvidia on that front. The automaker is now using a much more powerful autonomy computer:
With this suite, Rivian is aiming for level 3 autonomous driving, but the automaker is not sharing a timeline for that goal.
In the meantime, the company plans to release more and better ADAS features through over-the-air software updates.
I got to try the lane change feature on the highway in a R1S and it worked very well:
However, Rivian still has plenty of room to improve when it comes to lane centering, especially at higher speeds and in curves.
With this new next-generation, for the higher-end versions, Rivian is offering a new “Dynamic Glass Roof” that can change color and opacity at the touch of a button:
But the utilitarian aspects of these vehicles is really where Rivian shines. Obviously, you have the 7-seater third row in the R1S with still plenty of storage space thanks to the giant frunk:
Speaking of the frunk, you also have it on the R1T. Frunks are really great for electric pickup trucks since your trunk is replaced by a bed, which you tend not to keep as clean as the rest of the truck.
That means that you run low in clean cargo space, and that’s what a frunk provides. The R1T’s frunk is great for that, but Rivian goes a step further with its gear tunnel:
The gear tunnel is exactly what it sounds like, a tunnel for gear that runs behind the cabin and in front of the rear wheel.
Between that, the frunk, and the bed, I think it makes the R1T the most utilitarian pickup of its size, electric or not.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian is getting better at making electric vehicles without compromising on its owner experience.
Whether it will be enough to get to a positive gross margin, I don’t know. CEO RJ Scaringe warned that Q2 won’t be representative of the changes since the switch to the next-gen happened in the middle of the quarter, but we should have a much better picture of the situation in Q3.
Based on all the changes, I’m sure that it will result in significant improvements in gross margins, but I don’t know if it will be enough to erase completely the $36,000 in losses for every vehicle delivered. We will see.
In the meantime, this next-generation should also help Rivian continue selling its R1 vehicles with enough updates and upgrades to continue making them a unique offering in the premium SUV and pickup segment.
Now with Supercharger access and improving ADAS system, it is increasingly becoming an interesting option.
I’m seriously considering a R1T for my first electric pickup truck. My Cybertruck review is coming soon, and I’ll do a comparison.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Even with strong demand up until the federal tax credit expired, Hyundai’s EV sales crashed last month. Hyundai, Ford, Kia, and Honda sold significantly fewer EVs in October.
Hyundai EV sales drop in October as the tax credit ends
Hyundai is still on pace for its third straight record sales year in the US. The South Korean automaker sold 70,118 vehicles in the US last month, 2% fewer than it did in October 2024.
Although Hyundai sold a record number of “electrified” vehicles, it was hybrids that carried the growth in October. Several hybrid models set new October sales records, including the Sonata HEV and Elentra HEV. The Palisade also had its best October with the new HEV version now rolling out.
“Hybrid vehicles led the way in October with a 41% increase, and electrified sales were up 8%,” said Hyundai Motor North America’s CEO, Randy Parker.
Fully electric vehicles, on the other hand, didn’t fare as well. Hyundai sold just 1,642 IONIQ 5s last month, down 63% from October 2024 and a stark contrast from the over 8,400 sold in September.
Sales of the IONIQ 6 fell 52% to 398, while Hyundai sold just 317 units of its three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9. Parker said that Hyundai saw “strong EV demand leading up to the expiration of the federal tax credits,” adding that the shift “has temporarily disrupted the market.”
Despite this, Hyundai’s momentum “remains strong,” and according to Parker, it’s still on pace for record retail and total sales in 2025. Parker said Hyundai is confident the EV market will reset following the policy changes.
Hyundai wasn’t the only brand with significantly lower EV sales following the expiration of the tax credits. Ford, Kia, and Honda all sold drastically fewer electric vehicles last month.
Although the tax credit expired, Hyundai is still offering big savings. After cutting prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by nearly $10,000 on some trims compared to the 2025 model, Hyundai’s electric SUV now starts at under $35,000.
Hyundai is also still offering the $7,500 credit for the 2025 IONIQ 5. So, why are EV sales collapsing? It’s likely due to the rush of buyers that flooded the market in the months leading up to the tax credit’s expiration.
Interested in trying out Hyundai’s electric vehicles for yourself? Tap the links below to find an IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, or IONIQ 9 near you.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
![Leaked Hyundai EV interior reveals more than just a new screen [Images]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Hyundai-new-Pleos-OS.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The interior featured a new Tesla-like infotainment screen at the center. A closer look at the new Hyundai IONIQ 3 reveals much more than just a massive new screen.
Leaked images reveal new Hyundai IONIQ 3 EV interior
The IONIQ 3 is set to arrive as a smaller, more affordable sibling to the IONIQ 5 as Hyundai expands its EV lineup.
Despite its compact size at just 4,287 mm long, Hyundai said the IONIQ 3 will set the tone for its next chapter with a fresh look and advanced new tech.
It will be one of the first models to run on Hyundai’s new Pleos software and infotainment system. The next-gen infotainment system features a smartphone-like UI, similar to Tesla’s, with a large touchscreen at the center.
Hyundai’s new tech stack and software platform integrates everything under one roof, including the infotainment system and OS. The setup is not only easier to use but also unlocks new features such as autonomous driving and real-time data analysis.
We are finally getting a closer look at the new system after leaked photos surfaced online, revealing the IONIQ 3’s interior for the first time.
The images, courtesy of TheKoreanCarBlog (via SH Prohots), show the Tesla-like floating infotainment at the center of an otherwise minimalistic interior. Even the steering wheel resembles that of Tesla models.
Unlike Tesla, however, Hyundai still includes a driver display cluster and several physical buttons. Hyundai said the first vehicle with its new Pleos Connect infotainment system will arrive in Q2 2026, which is the same time the IONIQ 3 is expected to launch.
If you look at the vehicle displayed on the screen, it appears to be the updated Grandeur, Hyundai’s flagship sedan. Hyundai is expected to reveal the Grandeur facelift later this year or in early 2026.
Hyundai previewed the IONIQ 3 in September, unveiling the Concept THREE at the Munich Motor Show. The IONIQ 3 is Hyundai’s first compact model under its IONIQ EV series.
It features Hyundai’s new “Art of Steel” design, inspired by advanced steel technologies. According to Hyundai, the Aero Hatch profile is “a new typology that reimagines the compact EV silhouette.”
The concept featured a customizable, futuristic interior design with “hidden surprises” throughout, but it will look more like the images above when it arrives next year.
Hyundai will begin IONIQ 3 production at its manufacturing plant in Turkey in Q2 2026. It will sit between the Inster EV and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s European lineup.
At 4,287 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,428 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,722 mm, the Concept Three is about the size of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Kia EV3.
We will learn final specs and prices closer to launch, but the IONIQ 3 is expected to be available with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs, like the Kia EV3. The former provides a WLTP range of 260 miles, while the latter is rated at 365 miles.
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts at £34,995 ($47,000) in the UK, so the IONIQ 3 is expected to be priced closer to £25,000 ($33,700).
How do you feel about the new interior design? Do you like the changes? Or should Hyundai stick with the dual 12.3″ screens on current EV models, like the IONIQ 5? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, SH Proshots
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Tesla (TSLA) reportedly secures massive $2.1 billion battery deal with Samsung SDI, but not for its cars
Tesla has reportedly secured another major battery supply partner, but it’s not for the product you might think.
According to a new report from the Korea Economic Daily, Tesla has reached a substantial agreement with Samsung SDI. The deal is said to be worth over 3 trillion won (approximately $2.1 billion) and will see the South Korean battery giant supply cells to Tesla over a three-year period.
But here’s the key part: This supply is reportedly for Tesla’s Energy Storage System (ESS) business.
That means these cells are destined for Megapack and possibly Powerwall products, not for Tesla’s electric vehicles.
The report, which cites an unnamed battery industry source, marks the first large-scale supply agreement between Samsung SDI and Tesla. For years, the two companies have been in talks, with most speculation centered on Samsung building 4680 cells, a cell format Tesla pioneered. While Samsung is indeed ramping up its own 46-series cell production, this new deal appears to be focused entirely on LFP cells for stationary energy storage.
When reached for comment, Samsung SDI officially stated that “nothing has been finalized yet,” which is a common response to such reports before a deal is formally announced. Tesla has not commented.
This new deal with Samsung SDI follows another massive ESS battery agreement Tesla signed with a different South Korean supplier, LG Energy Solution, for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Currently, Tesla exclusively uses cells from CATL and BYD for its energy storage products, but the company recently noted a bed to diversify supply due to the tariffs put in place on Chinese products.
Tesla has also been working on deploying its own LFP battery cell manufacturing in the US to partially offset Chinese supply.
Electrek’s Take
The company’s energy storage division has been a silver lining amid two years of decline in its EV division.
The growth has been impressive despite increased competition.
It’s the only segment where Tesla is truly production constrained, and more specifically battery supply constrained rather than demand constrained.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024