Doug DeMuro Gave the Rivian R1S His Best Rating Ever
It seems Rivian thought of everything when it designed the R1S. Will the electric SUV’s quality be enough to save the struggling EV startup?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Serena Aburahma
Rivian’s rollout of the R1S hasn’t been without its hiccups. But the SUV itself is a marvel of an
electric vehicle
. From its capabilities to its innovative features, every aspect of the R1S will satisfy its drivers.At least that’s the opinion of famed YouTube car guy Doug DeMuro. Based on his point system, the R1S is one of the all-time greatest products in the auto industry. In the history of his reviews, the only model to match was the McLaren F1.
Does Rivian’s electric SUV live up to the glowing review from DeMuro? And will the praise be enough to keep the struggling EV maker afloat?
Jerry
, your car insurance super app, took a closer look to find out.Rivian chose quality of quantity for 2022
Rivian started 2022 in a rough spot. Hit hard by the chip shortage and struggling to lock down battery components, the EV startup announced that it was cutting its projected production numbers down to a measly 25,000 units for the year.
That news, coupled by lost faith in EV stock overall, saw the newly public company’s value plummet after a record-breaking IPO in November. The slow production rate also led to frustrated customers complaining about how long it was taking for their EVs to get delivered.
But the few who were lucky enough to receive their Rivians couldn’t have been happier with their new vehicles, DeMuro included.
InsideEVs
says the famously tough car critic gave the brand’s first model, the R1T pickup, a score of 73, the second highest rating ever given. The R1S did one better, tying the McLaren F1 at 74 points.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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DuMuro says the Rivian R1S is a homerun
Doug DeMuro comes off as a pretty enthusiastic guy. But when it comes to reviewing cars, he’s a lot tougher than he seems. Since he started posting videos in 2013, no vehicle he’s feature has ever received a grade that amounts to more than a C.
That said, he looks more animated than normal while going over the specs and features of the
Rivian R1S
. Before he can get to the SUV’s exterior—his first stop in most reviews—he starts rattling off clever features like the flashlight found in the driver’s door, the speaker charging under the center console, and the helpful tools found in the vehicle’s app.
DeMuro also loved the EV’s Land Rover-like body, its multi-functional hatch/tailgate, plentiful cargo space, and unique features like the onboard air compressor and first-aid kit.
Driving modes and other software also got a thumbs-up from DeMuro, not to mention its maximum 15-inch ground clearance and 835-hp powertrain.
MORE: Rivian Is Expanding Throughout the U.S. and Into Canada
Getting your hands on a Rivian R1S ain’t easy
Rivian started trickling out deliveries of the R1S this summer, but if you haven’t already ordered one, don’t get too excited. Current waiting times are all over the place, but it can take up to four years after reserving the EV before it’s delivered.
On top of that, the only trim level being built right now is the “Adventure” model, which starts at around $91,000. The luxury car pricing and excessive power will likely make average car insurance quite high.
But you can save on coverage for a Rivian or any other type of vehicle by shopping with Jerry. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy.
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