Closing Gaps and Crushing Knees: Rivian R1S Interior Review 

The split gate is awesome and I feel all SUVs need something similar. I remember my 1992 explorer had the ability to open the rear window only or open the whole gate. I don't see any SUVs these days with that option so the split gate is the next best thig IMO. It's also a pseudo cargo extender and anyone who is outdoorsy usually sits on the back of their vehicle to get ready for the adventure - or for tailgating. Lots of applications.

In a family of 5, having a 7 seater is a must to prevent kids from fighting on any trip more than 10 minutes. Keeping them spread out is really important to parental sanity. That’s why minivans are so popular.

Carl. What an excellent critique. I noted that his boss loved the rear luggage tie-down latches. Carl questioned their real utility over cost, and that gave me pause. These things are not going to be a deal breaker, unless enough of them accumulate, but I really like Carl's attention to detail. Why is a feature good? Why is a feature poor? Carl explains. It's great critique.

That rear door split type is good especially if you tow a travel trailer and have an electric tongue jack and you can still open the rear door and not hit the jack. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee and that interference was an issue.

Similar to another comment, this isn't extended, it is MUCH shorter into the R1T. It's also the largest electric SUV on the market currently.

Range Rover's had a split rear and the bottom half was often used to sit on to change shoes before and after going outdoors for walks so didn't get the inside messed up.

Great review as always. I think you guys are too critical on the 3rd row. I never really think people get a 3rd row for adults. I think the majority of people get it for the kids. If you have 4 kids or so. How often are 7 full size adults traveling in the same car? Most people would take more vehicles.

I owned 4 3rd row passenger vehicles to date and can admit- the EV platform drives and handles dest for 3rd row comfort. Less body roll and less nausea experienced in the rear - more practical for the kids on longer drives

Could we get Carl to review Detroit Denim jeans like he does on interiors, looking at the build, the stitching, build quality, ease of use etc. Yes a bit fun but would be interesting.

Please don’t complain about the lack of room in the rear of the R1S. You would never comfortably fit in the back of it. It wasn’t designed for someone of your size. Those seats are for smaller adults and children. It’s like complaining that a Miata cannot carry two 32” bags in its trunk.

I am really proud of that tail gate gap hider. It was a lot of work but we got it.

Thanks Carl for another interesting and informative video.

Carl, I want to personally thank you for not getting a bespoke pair of "Skinny Jeans", even though they were gratis.

As an owner of a LX470, the split gate is highly useful as seating or table. I use it as such all the time for camping/skiing. If the user only goes to the mall, I can see how it may not be as useful.

A very wise review - well informed well researched well spoken and well poised. Carl is a natural

No one vehicle can be all for all people. In a broader sense, EV’s will come to increasing popularity as prices come down and social acceptance increases. I still need my diesel to pull 15k lb trailers, but I don’t need an internal combustion vehicle for anything else - I hate the idea of all the heat, the thousands of parts reducing each other every moment the vehicle is running. My EV has not been without problems but it should have dramatically lower operating cost especially as time goes on. Thanks for the video!

How about having an actual parent come along on a review of a family oriented car? Carl climbs in the 3rd row, says "I'd never actually sit back here, this is for kids" and then proceeds to complain about things that wouldn't work for him. Doesn't know that 8 year olds... or even 5 year olds are quite capable of buckling themselves in. Seems absolutely befuddled by the split tailgate, something even Jeremy Clarkson can figure out. Doesn't know the rear cargo shelf has 2 different levels.

Seat belt quick connects are common items in european cars. The ones I've seen are even easier to connect than the Rivian's.

How many people actually need to sit with legs spread apart wide like that in a car? I'm 6' 1" 185 lbs and in a normal seated position I fit fine in the 3rd row of the R1S. It's not reasonable to expect the 3rd row to fit people who are much larger than average. If you need to fit 7 football linesmen in one vehicle then it's going to take a large van. It's actually really impressive that a midsize SUV has a 3rd row that's comfortable enough for me to ride in and that I can get in and out of even with bad knees.

Can't imagine being in the middle seat on a flight with a Carl on either side of me - we would all become good friends

Very cogent walk-through. Thank you Carl. I like the idea of the split lift gate and mini tailgate. Right on about not having cargo roll out. I also like the idea that you get a little bit of extra fairly flat work surface when the gate is down. Also trailer towers will appreciate the fact that a full size lift gate is not going to hit the tongue jack as it is being opened. I know about this from having towed a boat behind a station wagon.

I like the way you reviewed this SUV, however I believe someone with a family would give a better insight on how the soccer mom or the nuclear family in a real world situation would use this vehicle. This is made for them.

My 2 cents... As compared to my 2002 Yukon XL, the 3rd row knee room is similar. In the 2nd row, if you had not reclined the seat back as fully as you did, it seems the problem would not be as bad as it ends up. With regard to the cargo anchors, I have frequently found the need for real heavy duty anchors where I could safely anchor a heavy item or piece of machinery inside my SUV. The last thing anyone needs is a 300 pound missile coming forward in a frontal collision, especially in a rollover or tipped-on-the-side scenario. I do agree, the anchors are extravigant and could have been plain steel and fixed at the corners instead of adjustable.

Great to see some details on the Rivian R1S

The split tail gate is the best for a true SUV. Speaking as an land rover LR3 owner, I love it. Nice spot to get out of the weather and have a laptop, have a discussion or whatever. As someone that works outdoors, you can’t do the same thing with a regular tailgate. Blue print meeting on the hood of the truck in the dark at 6am? No thanks. I would assume the same thing trying to hike or hunt or other outdoor activities.

Given the headroom of the 3rd row seats it would been great if it was possible to slide the 3rd row back even more to create extra kneeroom. That would make it one of the best 3rd row seating. Seems like a missed opportunity.

THANKS AGAIN 🤗 CARL,ERIC AND THE MUNRO TEAM and your sponsors ,for sharing this RIVIAN review 🤔always interesting and informative 😎🤔💚💚💚

I don’t understand why Rivian didn’t use the R1T’s longer chassis to allow more 3rd row legroom.

I think they are missing the point with the 3rd row. Few people use or shop for a 3rd row because they expect to use it regularly. When it's not in use, there is more storage space than most 2 row SUVs. When you need it, there's 2 more seats available. The utility is the extra space that can double as additional seating.

Carl never fails to amaze...

The "extended SUV version" isn't extended. Shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length on the R1S versus the R1T.

I don’t like chrome plastic, when it wears it looks horrible with white patches. For example Audi uses knurled / brushed aluminium on its trim and it just feels and looks so much nicer.

Rivian is just getting started. 92K really limits the market for them. People needing seven passengers really limits the market. Let us see how the demand works out for them. I hope they do well. There are just too many nightmare videos regarding third party charging stations. But I am biased; my Model 3LR FSD is super.

While I understand the need to justify cost for items in the vehicle, stripping a lot of the subjectively "extra" features is not in line with the premium/luxury nature of the Rivian. A lot of these neat little items (hidden flashlight, etc) make the car more special, especially at this price point.

Confused. In an earlier video, Sandy describes his LOVE for the third row and all the room it provides, unlike other SUVs. But here, the focus of the video is that it's too small -- just like all the others. Not exactly the most consistent message.

my ford exploerer 2010 I think was the year had a quick disconnection on the seat belts as well, you use your key to slide into the conniction and it would break the seatbelt apart. I'm guessing that is what your talking about on here, as I'm total blind so don't know if its the same thing.

Seems like lots of solutions looking for problems.

We have an R1S and a Kia Telluride before that. Two carseats basically fills the 2nd row. Without the 3rd row we'd never be able to go anywhere with our family like grandparents, cousins etc. without taking a second vehicle. Also with the 3rd row folded down for other times, it gives a ton of rear storage capacity. It's the perfect sized vehicle for a family.

The fact that you can fit in that third row says a lot. You won't fit in many a third row

Thanks Carl

"Some people tried to make a ... 'peoples car', they didn't always have good intentions" ... Oh wow I almost spat out my coffee laughing at that historical volkswagen reference!

About the seat belt quick connect. I assume there is some kind of device that does the job and not performed manually by assembly line worker. The worker holds some kind of device that connects the belt to the pretensioner having this way a proof of compliance

For context, how tall is Carl?

Having the option of a third row is nice, but what it really means is a larger SUV. The storage space with the third row stowed is what I really need. The R2 doesn't have a third row and, as a result, it's a smaller SUV that doesn't give me the space to suit my needs. Honestly, if they made an R1S that didn't have the third row but still had all that space, that's what I'd go with (assuming losing the third row would drop the price a bit.

Split tail gate. You probably don't have children with wheelchair needs. Every mom who has to lug around a wheelchair will consider this vehicle simply because it has a flat loading surface. No lip to overcome. You don't know what you don't know.

Why are a family of 4 plus a large dog. Our Model Y gets the job done….. barely. The R1S is a much better size without being a behemoth.

3rd row is not that bad as you pointed out. 1st is oriented to kids or teenagers as other medium sizes SUV as Durango, explorer, Palisade, Telluride etc., if you need more space get a Tahoe or Expedition. 2nd do not reclining all the way the 2nd row helps to gain some space for larger passengers and 3rd, like you, I'm overweight (I don't want to be offensive, don't get me wrong) and the problem as is clear in the video, its not because the knee clearance, its because my belly and I need to opened my legs to be comfortable without struggling with it LOL But its a good video and informative review. I like these kind of videos.

Seriously, how often would that big guy sit in the rear seating positions? Come on get real and tell the truth. We are all adults and everyone know's that the smaller dudes and dudettes sit in the smaller back seats. Kids sit in the back ... not gargantuan dudes, I have heard enough from Mr interior to know where he stands on his opinions of EV's and all he keeps saying is that in his opinion he could care less about an EV period. Possibly he needs to go find a petrol vehicle to diagnose and give better opinions on as he clearly simply needs to be going positive on petrol and is not EV friendly.

If you use enough Velcro, you don't need child seats. (Just a putty knife to help unstick the Vecro.) Seriously though...there's never really a good way to have three full rows in a 4 door sedan. That split tailgate will keep my groceries, in soft plastic bags, from falling out, better than the elastic net that I'm using now. Expensive upscale way to get the job done.

I can't believe they aren't making EV minivans yet. When we finally do see them I suspect they will all show up at once. The EV drivetrain is so much easier to cram in a minivan than an ICE engine. There is room on the roof for some solar too.

Having a R1T lack of rear seat adjustment is the biggest gripe I have. Planning on getting the R1S as a result.

Kids love to sit far away from parents. Soccer mom's pick up teen kids. And manufacturers make it for families fun. Too opinionated.

10:00 very good feature. Not spilling yes but for ladies that weigh 90lb it makes them much easier to handle with smaller doors then one giant door.

Many families have 4 kids and that makes these seats essential if you don’t want a minivan.

I’m a parent who doesn’t want to use seatbelts for my children. Should i buy a rivian?

Tbh i find the rivian interior to be very plain and stale in its colour and style,Mercedes i find are very much ahead of many other car manufacturers in this field.

So it is like Tesla Model X minus efficiency, but plus offroading?

This man complaining he dont like soccer mom vehicles

Is this the Range Rover of E SUVs? I wonder if Rivian is making money on its EVs?

Never going to happen what their stock worth 30cents on the dallor lol they are a rip off

Booster Iso fix kids seats would be good in the third row for kids old enough to put own belts

Thanks for another festinating review, maybe someday will see one on the road

Overall, a pretty negative review for a pretty good car.

Thanks!

Great review, thank you!

It’s raining!

4:22 with 4 kids, I need the third row of my van everyday.

It doesn't need to be a 7 passenger, it can be a 5 passenger with lots of cargo space. I would hope the rear seats fold down or are removable.

All well and good but these days it comes down to a charging network and service center. All the startups have these same problems: service availability and charging. For $90k someone is taking a lot of risks finding either.

The point that not everyone needs or wants the same car is obvious, but an important reminder. Thanks. With this week's social media discussion about the Tesla Semi, I think this lesson needs extension to trucks, including Class 8 trucks. Different use cases (loads and routes) and different driver preferences mean the Semi is not THE Semi, and does not need to be. It just has to fit enough use cases and drivers to sell as many as they need to make to earn money. Can you bring this up when you evaluate the Semi? (I assume Munro has ordered one for tear down!)

1st after green

nice rap-around perspective! beautiful truck! sharp interior!! my mom would spend all day in here!! I enjoy the insight! U've already lain out several big points! good luck with it!

RIVIAN R1S is not extended, it's SHORTER than the R1T.

A Honda civic dude reviews a rivian.

Would help to know how tall you are

COREY COREY COREY !!! look !!! MUNRO SUV !!! come on you guys have to do this one :) :) :)

Eh, if you want to fit people in a third row, buy a VAN. All SUVs are terrible about that. Because they are based on a truck configuration. This just proves that the SUV trend in general is dumb, not that Rivian has done a bad job in designing the 3rd row. Maybe one day people will come to their senses and the humble and practical minivan will make a comeback. The minivan hate has always been a dumb matcho thing, cmon Carl, grow up a little. BTW, the split rear door was a station wagon feature before SUVs were even close to what they are now. And they are incredibly practical. It means you can put long things in the back without leaving the gate open... just like a truck. It means if you have a bunch of loose stuff in the back you can get in there without stuff tumbling out... just like a truck. As someone who has done construction work out of both a minivan and a station wagon, its a GREAT feature. In fact, most of the things people are raving about with some new vehicles have been standard minivan features forever. Completely flat floor? Minivan feature. Flat loading in the back? Minivan feature. Folding or configurable seating? Minivan feature. Vents and cupholders in the 3rd row? Minivan feature. Doors that can open in tight spaces (a la Tesla X)? Minivan feature. Has the storage capacity of a big SUV but drives like a car? Minivan feature. Wheels pushed out to the corners? Minivan feature. Large interior volume compared to smallish exterior? Minivan feature. Imagine a vehicle this size as a minivan.... Who needs a frunk when you would get two to three more FEET of space for seating and cargo?

This would have been awesome for our little family with only four kids, or taking some scouts on an outing; but many families I know have six or more. There just isn't a reasonable sized EV available for so many families...

5:09 Rivian R1S 7 seats 72k $ starting..... some other 7 seat: Base price 30-40 k $.... If only the 3rd row is an exquse, Rivian R1S is the car :)

I watched "Out of Spec Detailing" video on issues he's noticed on several Ravians. One of the areas that he showed was the wood trim. It seems that he's seen the trim cracked in several Ravians. He also talked about seeing more and more quality issues as they start to ramp up. Maybe you can talk about these issues. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7frg47tqhVY.html

I love your interior reviews. When looking over some new cars. I'm surprised how much you have taught me. I'm surprised at flaws I'm finding that prior I would have not noticed. Thank you ☺️

My only problem about watching these videos is that I feel like an expert afterwards N then I speck with facts I should know nothing about because I don't have the schooling to back it up.

I once had reservation for an R1S, but decided to cancel it, precisely because… my wife and I do not need 7-seats, let alone a large, heavy SUV. My oldest daughter's large family, however, could sure use one of these.

Carl, knocks it out of the park again

That pre-tensioner clip looks symmetric ; Will it work without catching,cinching if installed with a twist in the section ?

When commenting on ergonomics, please give your height and weight. (at least hight).

"They didn't always have the best of intentions" - Ye would disagree 😆

Thank you for going metric! 👍

Carl! ❤

Putting in that horizontal trim line is a design mistake because it creates a subtle incentive to recline the seat to level it out, killing third row space.

Storage bins are trash bins if you have children. LOL

now i'm interested to hear your thoughts on minivans...

You don't put hogs often on your SUV Ahahahahahahabahahahahahahahahahahah sports LOLOL utilitarian vehicles LOLOL oinc going! Vrummmm!

Excellent once again Carl

Practically before style for me!

Will a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood fit?

I don't know why OEMs are taking the opportunity to replace leather seating in luxury cars with vinyl (the marketing department calls it "Vegan Leather") and expect no one to notice? Every EV going on the market seems to be trying to imply that EV owners all want to save the world and are vegans. I'm not. Sad to see those wonderful-looking seats in the Rivian are plastic. I was looking at the new Cadillac Ev, which even has vinyl seats. I asked the salesman, "what was the last Cadillac before this Ev that came with vinyl seats?".... he gave me a blank stare. I think there were a few models in the 1970's that did. I know it saves money, but these cars are very expensive.

Carl, you are the best when it comes to critiquing interiors. I love the fact you tell it like it is, and that's I we adore this channel. Sandy has hired a team of truth sayers.

What about the ridge across the trunk area. Messes up a flatload area. Not very well thought out!

Thank you!