Summary
- Former Tesla Model S owner switched to a new Rivian R1S and is mostly happy with the decision
- Tesla Model S had better semi-autonomous driving, in-car streaming, and driver visibility
- Despite some features he misses from Tesla, the Rivian has cool features that make it a worthwhile upgrade
- Rivian R1S has traditional round steering wheel with physical buttons and stalks, which the owner is readapting to
- Criticisms of the Rivian R1S include heavy and hard-to-close doors, and mediocre audio quality compared to Tesla’s sound system
Article
Switching from Tesla to Rivian: A Former Model S Owner’s Experience
Many Tesla owners are loyal to the brand, but one former Model S owner decided to switch to a brand new Rivian R1S. Despite the impressive features of his old Tesla, such as semi-autonomous driving and in-car streaming, the Rivian offered enough unique features to make it a worthwhile upgrade.
The Decision to Switch to Rivian
Shane Burgman had owned his Model S for almost four years before deciding to make the switch to something more practical. While the logical choice would have been a Model X, Shane felt that other electric vehicles might better fit his needs. Thus, he opted for the Rivian R1S in 2025.
Adjusting to New Features
One key difference Shane noted when switching to the Rivian was readapting to a traditional round steering wheel with physical buttons and stalks. While he missed the obstruction-free view of the instrument cluster that the yoke provided, he believed that the more traditional layout would likely grow on him over time.
Missing Tesla Features
While Shane was pleased with many of the features of the Rivian, there were certain aspects of his Tesla that he missed. Specifically, he mentioned the excellent video streaming capabilities of the Tesla, which allowed for in-built YouTube, Netflix, and other platforms. This feature is not yet available in the Rivian.
Criticisms of the Rivian R1S
Shane did have some criticisms of the Rivian R1S, including issues with the heavy doors that were harder than expected to close. He also noted that the audio quality, even with the upgraded audio system, was not up to par with what he was used to in his Tesla. Additionally, he expressed disappointment in the lack of adaptive cruise control with lane centering on certain roads, a feature he had grown accustomed to in his Tesla.
Conclusion
Overall, the switch from a Tesla Model S to a Rivian R1S proved to be a positive experience for Shane. While there were some aspects of the Tesla that he missed, the unique features and practicality of the Rivian ultimately made it a worthwhile upgrade for him. As electric vehicle technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other owners navigate the decision to switch between brands.
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