Rivian R1T Quad Gen 2 - The Perfect Upgrade?

Quick Overview

The Rivian R1T Quad Gen 2 is the quickest production pickup truck, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 2.74 seconds and a 10.64-second quarter mile, significantly outperforming the Gen 1 Quad R1T and a Lamborghini Urus SE. Despite its impressive speed and dramatically improved suspension, the reviewer will not upgrade from his Gen 1 Quad R1T because the overall differences, including slightly worse speakers and minor feature changes, do not justify the upgrade.

Key Points: The Rivian R1T Quad Gen 2 is the "quickest production pickup truck," achieving a 0-60 mph time of 2.74 seconds and a 10.64-second quarter mile. The Gen 2 R1T features a "dramatically better" suspension system compared to the first generation, offering a softer all-purpose mode and firmer sport mode. All Gen 2 Rivians, including the Quad motor, now ship with the NACS port, allowing direct charging at Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. The Gen 2 Quad R1T, equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 5S street tires, shows a range of 310 miles in conserve mode, up to 330 miles, compared to the Gen 1's 285 miles on all-terrain tires. In drag races, the Gen 2 Quad R1T "absolutely demolished" a 789 horsepower Lamborghini Urus SE, demonstrating its superior straight-line performance. Despite its impressive speed and suspension improvements, the reviewer states he "would not upgrade" from his Gen 1 R1T Quad, as the overall differences, including slightly worse speakers and minor feature changes like door handles, do not justify the cost.

Context: The reviewer, an owner of a first-generation Rivian R1T Quad motor launch edition, tests the new second-generation Rivian R1T Quad motor to determine if it offers a compelling upgrade. He evaluates its new features, ride quality, and performance, including drag races against his own Gen 1 R1T and a Lamborghini Urus SE, to provide a comprehensive comparison.

Detailed Analysis

The video reviews the new Rivian R1T Quad Gen 2, comparing it to the Gen 1 Quad R1T and evaluating if it warrants an upgrade. The Gen 2 Quad boasts 1000 horsepower, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 2.74 seconds and a 10.64-second quarter mile, making it the quickest production pickup truck. Key improvements include a dramatically better suspension system, updated exterior styling with new headlights and teal accents, a more reliable tano cover, and the crucial addition of the NACS charging port for direct Tesla Supercharger access. The truck features a staggered setup with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tires, contributing to its impressive performance and a range of 310-330 miles. In drag races, the Gen 2 Quad R1T decisively beat the Gen 1 Quad R1T and "absolutely demolished" a 789 horsepower Lamborghini Urus SE. Despite these performance gains, the reviewer concludes that he will not upgrade from his Gen 1, citing that while the suspension is a major improvement, other aspects like NVH, slightly worse speakers, and minor feature changes (e.g., door handles) are not significant enough to justify the switch. He suggests the tri-motor Gen 2 is likely a better value for most buyers, but acknowledges the Quad Gen 2's status as the "king of the road" for those prioritizing ultimate speed.