Generally, the proper improve speaks for itself. Michelle Dirksen cherished her Kia EV6, her first electrical automobile, and it proved that going all-electric was the proper transfer for her. However as her way of life advanced, so did her thought of what an ideal EV appears like. Sharing her expertise within the “RIVIAN Electrical Autos Dialogue” group on Fb. What she discovered within the Rivian R1S Gen 2 is an SUV that embodies journey, practicality, and cutting-edge know-how.
That is what Michelle needed to say concerning the change:
“Simply joined the membership! We cherished our first EV (Kia EV6) and knew we’d by no means return to gasoline. Upgraded to a Rivian (R1S Gen 2, Tri-Motor, Max Battery.) Couldn’t think about a greater mother/journey automobile to make reminiscences in. It additionally matches my purse completely, and the plaid automobile mats & limestone colour are each simply so attractive. Can I simply say residence supply is the perfect factor ever? Such a tremendous buying expertise general.”
For Michelle, this improve wasn’t nearly getting a much bigger or extra highly effective EV, it was about discovering a automobile that complemented her way of life. The Rivian R1S, notably in its second-generation kind, is an SUV that caters to adventure-seekers, households, and people who admire the steadiness between efficiency and practicality.
The Tri-Motor setup and Max Battery make sure that it has the facility and vary for lengthy street journeys and off-the-grid adventures, whereas its design and considerate options make day by day driving an absolute pleasure.
The Good Mix of Fashion and Performance
Her selection of the automobile’s colour being limestone provides a chic contact to the SUV, and the plaid automobile mats deliver a way of uniqueness and private fashion to the inside. Even one thing so simple as how nicely the automobile accommodates her purse highlights the worth of how referring to the automobile can improve the possession expertise.
However past aesthetics and options lies some of the important elements of her shopping for expertise: The house supply course of. This simply provides on to the comfort of residence supply and the way it made an already thrilling second much more particular.
Neighborhood Reactions and Shared Experiences
Michelle’s expertise resonated with many others within the Rivian neighborhood. Beneath her submit, a number of members chimed in with their very own ideas and experiences.
Randy Shoaf shared his perspective on the shopping for course of, stating, “Since I purchased my Tesla in 2022, I swore if in any respect attainable, I’d by no means purchase a automobile from a dealership once more. Rivian had an analogous buy course of. So, I redoubled my dedication to by no means give a conventional dealership a penny of my cash till they essentially change how they function. Direct from the producer is a lot simpler.”
His remark displays a rising sentiment that I’ve seen amongst people who find themselves moving into the EV area notably. Conventional dealerships usually add pointless issues, whereas the direct-to-consumer mannequin adopted by corporations like Rivian makes buying a automobile a extra fulfilling and clear course of. That is all to offer clients benefits and advantages in becoming a member of their model.
Moreover the advantages of shopping for an EV, I’ve seen the extent of satisfaction from environment friendly customer support offered by EV manufacturers like Rivian whereas documenting automobile information. Prospects wish to really feel particular and get particularly catered to, and Rivian appears to be doing an excellent job in addressing that market.
Zoltan Mari additionally joined in, expressing simply how transformative the R1S expertise has been for him:
“Now we have the identical trim (solely in white)! Technology 2, 2025 Tri-Motor Max Battery, first supply of such within the state of Nevada (10/4/2024). It is transformative. I by no means felt driving as nice as this (and I had many vehicles over the many years, in all probability as a result of I am outdated).”
Feedback like Zoltan’s reveal one thing deeper than surface-level pleasure as they level to a shift in what seasoned drivers worth at present. For somebody who’s skilled a protracted line of vehicles through the years, to explain the R1S as “transformative” says so much. It speaks not solely to Rivian’s skill to ship efficiency and luxury, however to the emotional resonance their autos are beginning to have. That’s not straightforward to attain in a phase the place most EVs are outlined by specs and software program alone.
One other member, Justin Wolf, welcomed Michelle to the Rivian household whereas providing help:
“I hope all of your experiences are superb, but when not, you’ve got received your mates on Fb that will help you diagnose and suggest options. We have actually loved ours and plan on staying within the household when the R2 comes out.”
His remark emphasizes the sturdy sense of neighborhood amongst Rivian house owners, which continues to assist others develop in data and experiences amongst this comparatively new EV model. Persevering with to construct possession communities is significant for the survival of recent automobile producers, and Rivian house owners appear to know that very nicely by serving to one another in Fb teams like these.
Michelle responded to Justin’s remark with appreciation:
“Thanks! We closely leaned on this group & Reddit with our pre-purchase analysis. I really feel very fortunate to have had this neighborhood for that course of and ongoing! We can even be trying into the R2 as an possibility for my husband. Feeling so optimistic with what we’ve seen thus far.”
The wealth of shared data makes it simpler for folks to transition to EV possession with confidence. As soon as once more, this makes it clear that on-line communities are essential in serving to potential consumers to make knowledgeable selections about their purchases.
A Rising Development in EV Possession
The shift from a Kia EV6 to a Rivian R1S Gen 2 illustrates an attention-grabbing pattern amongst EV house owners. Many begin their electrical journey with a compact, environment friendly EV just like the EV6, Tesla Mannequin Y, or one thing related of that kind earlier than transitioning to a automobile that higher fits their evolving wants. The Rivian R1S, with its off-road capabilities and spacious inside, represents an improve that blends journey with practicality.
For these contemplating an analogous change, it’s price exploring the totally different features of Rivian possession. The model’s skill to steadiness rugged functionality with a refined driving expertise has received over former Tesla and conventional SUV house owners alike. Some have taken their R1S on lengthy journeys utilizing Tesla’s charging community, proving that Rivian’s practicality extends past its luxurious options.
My Closing Ideas
Finally, Michelle’s expertise underscores a key takeaway that EV possession is not only concerning the automobile; it is concerning the journey, the life-style, and the neighborhood that comes with it. Whether or not it’s the thrill of receiving a brand new automobile by way of residence supply, the help from fellow house owners, or the liberty to discover the world with out counting on gasoline stations, switching to an EV could be transformative.
The fitting automobile can elevate your driving expertise in methods you by no means anticipated. Whether or not you’re making the leap out of your first EV to a extra adventure-ready mannequin or considering your very first electrical buy, take the time to discover and interact with the neighborhood for all of your solutions. On the finish of the day, the automobile should make sense for you and verify off all of the inexperienced flags you’re searching for.
Michelle’s quote says all of it. It wasn’t simply the specs or the scale that received her over, it was the sense that the R1S felt made for her. That’s one thing I hold seeing extra usually from Rivian house owners. Their autos don’t simply meet expectations, they really really feel private. Whether or not it’s the boldness to move off-grid with a Tri-Motor and Max Battery pack, or just the enjoyment of lastly having a automobile that matches each a life-style and a handbag, Rivian appears to be constructing extra than simply an SUV because it’s constructing connection via design.
In the event you’ve made the bounce from one EV to a different? What pushed you to change?
And when you’ve by no means had an EV, what are some traits that you simply nonetheless search for from EV manufacturers like Rivian earlier than contemplating a change?
I’d love to listen to your opinion within the feedback.
Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist with an curiosity within the automotive business. Observe Aram on X and LinkedIn for day by day information protection about vehicles.
Picture Sources: Rivian and Kia Galleries.