Has anyone been weighing the options between the GX550 and the Rivian R1S? Over the weekend, I had a chat with someone who couldn't stop praising the Rivian R1S for its outstanding capabilities and features.
Lexus GX550 vs Rivian R1S
- Thread starter supersix
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Has anyone been weighing the options between the GX550 and the Rivian R1S? Over the weekend, I had a chat with someone who couldn't stop praising the Rivian R1S for its outstanding capabilities and features.
I'm still not sold on 100% electric vehicles 
I rode in a friend's Rivian R1S over the weekend and it was awesome! It looked great, the interior was super nice and the performance was insane! With that said, the Rivian is more of an in-town vehicle for them. They live in the middle of New Mexico and there are not a lot of charging stations so it's not a vehicle they will be taking farther than about 200 miles or so. He said his trip from Denver was miserable because he had to go the speed limit or less to make each leg of his trip home. At one point, he even had to turn off the AC and drive with the windows down so he could make his next charge point. Not ideal when you are used to driving on long stretches through remote areas with lots of elevation and wind changes.
DavidLexus
New member
Rivian is pretty awsowme. Friend has one and says it's the best car/truck he's ever owned. I'm on the fence
I almost ordered one.. It came down to OT+ or R1S. The tri motor/max battery in storm blue, all terrain package in ocean coast w/driftwood interior. I still think about it. Until I found out the body is clam shell design, eg Lotus Elise/Exige. One little fender bender will cost 40+G from a certified shop..!
Fender Bender... I'll let you know if it costs $42,000 to repair
My insurance most likely will cover it but when my policy comes up for renewal the following year, I have a feeling I will be getting a letter saying I've been a great customer but last claim..
Fender Bender... I'll let you know if it costs $42,000 to repair
My insurance most likely will cover it but when my policy comes up for renewal the following year, I have a feeling I will be getting a letter saying I've been a great customer but last claim..
I like Rivian vehicles but can never buy a BEV offroader. Road trips would take too much planning and even then chargers may fail when you get there.
I really like Rivian trucks. Even bought some stock in the company (at too high a price).
But having owned a Tesla S for four years here in Vermont, range and charging became too much of a hassle, especially in very cold weather. And I had free supercharger charging as part of the purchase. In no way am I anti—EV, just not at this point in my life.
But having owned a Tesla S for four years here in Vermont, range and charging became too much of a hassle, especially in very cold weather. And I had free supercharger charging as part of the purchase. In no way am I anti—EV, just not at this point in my life.
I test drove a Rivian SUV and put a deposit down before buying my GX. It is a beautiful vehicle. But I drive too much with a lot of trips for both business & pleasure to remote areas in AZ. I couldn't deal with the charging requirements. In fact, 2 days after my test drive, I had some overnight field work to near Topock, AZ out in a desert wash literally in the middle of nowhere. I mapped it all out as if I was driving the Rivian and I figured that I could get to the job with careful driving, but then I'd have nowhere to charge up. I'd have to drive another 55 miles further north (when home is south) to Kingman to get to a charging station....and hope that the Rivian would actually make it all the way to Kingman. Or beg for or buy electricity in Topock and stare at the dirt for 8 hours while I recharge. It just wouldn't work for me. The price of the vehicle is also far too high for what you get and the ridiculous cost of repair and high insurance is a deal killer too. If you get in a fender bender you will pay back the insurance company eventually or you'll get dropped.
Personally I like EVs. Instant torque, fewer moving parts (theoretically less maintenance and higher reliability but we know how that goes), ability to recapture some energy lost due to braking, cheaper for me to recharge at home here in Texas (<= $0.10 per kWh) than to fill up for equal milage. But, as things stand right now, there are 3 big obstacles that prevented me from going the EV route: 1) lack of infrastructure means I could easily get caught somewhere without the ability to charge 2) the massive time it takes to charge vs. fill up a tank of gas and 3) prices for high-end EVs like the Rivian are still too high relative to high-end ICE vehicles and the tax credit doesn't apply to vehicles with MSRPs over $80k.
Until they can fix the infrastructure and the charge time (I could live with a 10%-80% charge in 10 minutes, don't know that I'd be willing to wait any longer though) I don't see myself getting an EV or being generally accepted by the masses. Having said that, though. When they do fix those two problems (which I believe can be fixed), sign me up!
Until they can fix the infrastructure and the charge time (I could live with a 10%-80% charge in 10 minutes, don't know that I'd be willing to wait any longer though) I don't see myself getting an EV or being generally accepted by the masses. Having said that, though. When they do fix those two problems (which I believe can be fixed), sign me up!
If I could pull into the equivalent of a Costco or even a Circle K and change out a few 20- or 30-lb battery packs in a couple minutes to go another couple hundred miles then I'd be all over it.
I have both a 2024 GX550 OT+ and a 2023 Rivian R1S Quad motor.
I use the Rivian as a commuter car and have only ever charged at home on my Level2 charger. I have huge range anxiety so I’ve just accepted it’s the ‘back and forth to the office and around town mobile.’
I have the GX as a toy and for our longer trips to our properties in Michigan.
I know not everyone has that luxury of having multiple cars to choose from but I have found that the EV is a fun thing to have if you don’t have to expect too much out of it. Fast, head turning, cutting edge, etc.
That said, until they get 500mi range regardless of conditions, I can’t see not having an ICE vehicle for longer distances for the peace of mind and convenience.
I use the Rivian as a commuter car and have only ever charged at home on my Level2 charger. I have huge range anxiety so I’ve just accepted it’s the ‘back and forth to the office and around town mobile.’
I have the GX as a toy and for our longer trips to our properties in Michigan.
I know not everyone has that luxury of having multiple cars to choose from but I have found that the EV is a fun thing to have if you don’t have to expect too much out of it. Fast, head turning, cutting edge, etc.
That said, until they get 500mi range regardless of conditions, I can’t see not having an ICE vehicle for longer distances for the peace of mind and convenience.
I ordered the GX because the Solid State Batteries are still a few years out.
We have a performance EV sedan that is wonderful for commuting. And if the wife is willing to deal with me playing race driver, amazing to take up to our place in the mountains over a high alpine pass. But it will probably be years before I take it on a road trips again. Just too easy to get stuck with a level 2 charger and being stuck for hours while it charges. I also can't imagine us not having a EV for daily driving.
For original poster, GX if you plan to use it on road trips more than once per year IMO.
R1S is a great vehicle but to get a similar priced 4wd (2 motor) regular battery setup you are over 85k easy. I reserved the R2S which hopefully can take delivery in Q1 of 2026. I have a 2021 Model Y Performance and its one of the bests vehicles I have had in regard to maintenance. Only thing I have changed is tired in 60k miles. Oh and I have added windshield wiper fluid. I just traded in our 2020 Honda Passport for the GX550 Premium. I don't think I am ready to have a 2 car garage of only electric cars yet. Tesla supercharging is awesome and a no brainer. Other infrastructure such as Electrify America and all others are hit and miss at best. GX550 gas milage is atrocious but I knew that going into it. All the other things that you get with getting the GX550 (Lexus stability, GX550 road presence, offroad capabilities, of did I say Lexus stability)
Both great cars. Just a matter what your needs are.
Both great cars. Just a matter what your needs are.
Totally agree.R1S is a great vehicle but to get a similar priced 4wd (2 motor) regular battery setup you are over 85k easy. I reserved the R2S which hopefully can take delivery in Q1 of 2026. I have a 2021 Model Y Performance and its one of the bests vehicles I have had in regard to maintenance. Only thing I have changed is tired in 60k miles. Oh and I have added windshield wiper fluid. I just traded in our 2020 Honda Passport for the GX550 Premium. I don't think I am ready to have a 2 car garage of only electric cars yet. Tesla supercharging is awesome and a no brainer. Other infrastructure such as Electrify America and all others are hit and miss at best. GX550 gas milage is atrocious but I knew that going into it. All the other things that you get with getting the GX550 (Lexus stability, GX550 road presence, offroad capabilities, of did I say Lexus stability)
Both great cars. Just a matter what your needs are.
For the record, I purchased the R1S early enough it cost $83,500 for quad motor 800+hp w all the add-ons. As a same price vehicle to my OT+, it makes sense.
No way I would buy that near identical R1S set up now at well over $100k. Rivian has refined it to cost less to build but pricing also inflated as a result.
That said, it’s fun as hell to drive, especially on the highway at passing speed.
You got the quad for 83k that is a steal. Congrats! Would love to see a picture of your 2 rigs next to each other in a size comparison. I really wanted the R1S but couldn't justify paying the 96k that I had configured to my liking. Did you get your NACS adapter (All Rivian owners are supposed to be sent one at no charge) to charge at Tesla superchargers yet? If so, that should make your range anxiety a little easier as the Tesla charger have a 99.9 percent uptime.
Yes, I received it a couple months ago from Rivian. Still haven’t used it, though.You got the quad for 83k that is a steal. Congrats! Would love to see a picture of your 2 rigs next to each other in a size comparison. I really wanted the R1S but couldn't justify paying the 96k that I had configured to my liking. Did you get your NACS adapter (All Rivian owners are supposed to be sent one at no charge) to charge at Tesla superchargers yet? If so, that should make your range anxiety a little easier as the Tesla charger have a 99.9 percent uptime.
I’ll try to get a pic asap. The Rivian is wider, and it sneaky big over what it seems to be on its own. Much more interior room for driver and passenger front seat areas too.
You got the quad for 83k that is a steal. Congrats! Would love to see a picture of your 2 rigs next to each other in a size comparison. I really wanted the R1S but couldn't justify paying the 96k that I had configured to my liking. Did you get your NACS adapter (All Rivian owners are supposed to be sent one at no charge) to charge at Tesla superchargers yet? If so, that should make your range anxiety a little easier as the Tesla charger have a 99.9 percent uptime.
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That rear 3/4 shot is great - every time I see a Rivian R1S down the road or highway, I think it is a GX550.
GX550 Forum Photos
GX550 Forum Photos
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