Shopping for a “new” BEV while waiting for the Scout Traveler BEV.

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I've done 1 brake job (which was a little surprising since I drive 1-pedal most of the time), but the brakes are still engaging & working more than you think even if you're mostly using regen. We'll have to see how things hold up in the long run and what costs look like if something goes sideways. It's already been 4+ years since I took delivery of my R1T.
This is shocking to me. This implies that Rivian is doing a LOT of traction control interventions. I am really curious to know if this is normal or something unique to your rig or driving style. My MXP is tri-motor so it can adjust power left-right on the rear using power and not brakes. I'm at 70k miles and the brakes look brand new. My wife's MS is dual motor with open diffs so it has to use the brakes for traction control but at 90k miles the brakes also look brand new.
 
This is shocking to me. This implies that Rivian is doing a LOT of traction control interventions. I am really curious to know if this is normal or something unique to your rig or driving style. My MXP is tri-motor so it can adjust power left-right on the rear using power and not brakes. I'm at 70k miles and the brakes look brand new. My wife's MS is dual motor with open diffs so it has to use the brakes for traction control but at 90k miles the brakes also look brand new.
I was thinking the same thing, especially with a lot of highway miles. Even on an ICE vehicle, I'll rarely get less than 100k miles out of brakes with virtually no highway driving.
 
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I will admit I must be shallow. I can not get over the looks of virtually every EV on the market. The designers and marketing team think they are doing the right thing - but looks screaming EV makes me want to puke. Rivian might be a perfectly capable EV - which I will not consider purchasing for a second due to looks and disgust. Honestly, at least the Cybertruck is ugly enough I want to laugh rather than puke. I actually tried to consider it - but it is not what I want either.
 
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It’s fair but it’s also purely personal taste, I actually like the look of Rivian (mostly) but 90% of my friends don’t and that’s fine but what makes an EV look? I know the expedition or Santa Fe have cross lighting that at night evokes “EV” is it the lack of grill, that’s just something to adjust to. I know Rivians pill lights can be a bit much to some, the worst part of Rivians design is the bubbly rear end it looks really strange especially on the R1S
 
It’s fair but it’s also purely personal taste, I actually like the look of Rivian (mostly) but 90% of my friends don’t and that’s fine but what makes an EV look? I know the expedition or Santa Fe have cross lighting that at night evokes “EV” is it the lack of grill, that’s just something to adjust to. I know Rivians pill lights can be a bit much to some, the worst part of Rivians design is the bubbly rear end it looks really strange especially on the R1S
I’ve never understood why more manufacturers don’t just produce ev versions of their existing cars. There’s no technical reason they couldn’t produce an electric Camry or accord or minivan or any suv. There’s are a few, but most feel compelled to “Tesla-ize” it in some way, which usually does more harm than good.
 
I’ve never understood why more manufacturers don’t just produce ev versions of their existing cars. There’s no technical reason they couldn’t produce an electric Camry or accord or minivan or any suv. There’s are a few, but most feel compelled to “Tesla-ize” it in some way, which usually does more harm than good.
I don’t disagree, I think the lighting looked great it was just an F150 nothing overly futuristic, but I also do like the full light across the front and rear, but GM chose to redesign the Silverado/avalanche into an EV and it still looks better with the fake grill on the WTs but works with solid color but the design change will be responsible for steering some people away, scout and Rivian can get away with there designs as they are starting “fresh” and need to stand out on the roads, weather you love or hate the pills on Rivian you know when you see one
 
I understand part of it is EV related. Range is important - and the cheapest way to get more range is aerodynamics. The Lightning looks a lot like a Ford F150 - till you look at the ground clearance. It has ground clearance closer to the SVT Lightning. It had good performance, but still sold less than 30k units over 10 years (which is amazingly dismal). I've met people incredibly proud of theirs - it is a tiny niche truck with a devoted following.

Still - the mileage hit of making the lightning the same height of a 4x4 Ford (which usually has a factory lift), might have hurt sales more than the low ground clearance did.
 
I will admit I must be shallow. I can not get over the looks of virtually every EV on the market. The designers and marketing team think they are doing the right thing - but looks screaming EV makes me want to puke. Rivian might be a perfectly capable EV - which I will not consider purchasing for a second due to looks and disgust. Honestly, at least the Cybertruck is ugly enough I want to laugh rather than puke. I actually tried to consider it - but it is not what I want either.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

My R1T is a box with a shit ton of storage, and I love the design elements and the profile from all angles. Like others, I was skeptical at first on the stadium lights and the bed could use another 12", but the lights grew on me and they are an absolutely distinct design detail for Rivian that serves more than a singular functional purpose.

I love the design of the Terra too. Feels more boxy to me than the Traveler, but I wasn't considering the SUV anyway.

Some people want a truck that looks like every other truck and hides being an EV. Scout should be loud and proud about being an EV.
So, you're here complaining about virtually every EV on the market - thats great, but what about Scout?
 
I’ve never understood why more manufacturers don’t just produce ev versions of their existing cars. There’s no technical reason they couldn’t produce an electric Camry or accord or minivan or any suv. There’s are a few, but most feel compelled to “Tesla-ize” it in some way, which usually does more harm than good.
I see both sides of this. I’m in your camp for sure but I think there is a large segment of tech lovers who want the sleek, streamlined look which often comes with a lack of character in my opinion-however, lots of people like minimalist/modern art and architecture and I personally don’t. I’m just glad SM is doing what they are doing and blending the elements to appeal to a much larger base
 
Appearance is such a minimal input into my calculations that it might as well not matter at all. About the only thing appearance-related that matters to me is color and that’s as much practical as it is aesthetics. A black truck is not only boring, it’s also a huge heat sink and causes additional energy use when camping in the desert, to say nothing of every-day use. A truck with an aerodynamic slope between the bed and the cab? I know some people find it ugly, but its impact on appearance doesn’t matter even a single bit in my utility calculations.
 
A truck with an aerodynamic slope between the bed and the cab? I know some people find it ugly, but its impact on appearance doesn’t matter even a single bit in my utility calculations.
I find that to be much more of a utilitarian issue actually - It make it harder to level load with racks, it makes it tougher to fit a cap, and I keep a rocket launcher for fishing rods in the bed, so a slope makes it less practical to reach into the bed to load or unload. For me, a slope is less about design and more about function. Same goes for a rooftop - I would much rather have a flat roofline for sure.
 
I find that to be much more of a utilitarian issue actually - It make it harder to level load with racks, it makes it tougher to fit a cap, and I keep a rocket launcher for fishing rods in the bed, so a slope makes it less practical to reach into the bed to load or unload. For me, a slope is less about design and more about function. Same goes for a rooftop - I would much rather have a flat roofline for sure.
Totally fair. Each person’s use-case will likely be different (and some people’s use-cases may include caring about appearance).
The bed cap issue is one that is a concern to me. But it’s lower on the utilitarian weighting than other concerns.
 
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Totally fair. Each person’s use-case will likely be different (and some people’s use-cases may include caring about appearance).
The bed cap issue is one that is a concern to me. But it’s lower on the utilitarian weighting than other concerns.
🙋‍♀️ appearance here. Has to be pretty or I won’t even consider it.
 
I will admit I must be shallow. I can not get over the looks of virtually every EV on the market. The designers and marketing team think they are doing the right thing - but looks screaming EV makes me want to puke. Rivian might be a perfectly capable EV - which I will not consider purchasing for a second due to looks and disgust. Honestly, at least the Cybertruck is ugly enough I want to laugh rather than puke. I actually tried to consider it - but it is not what I want either.
My spouse absolutely hates the headlights on Rivians including ours. And I joke they have a face only a mother could love.

But our R1T is no anodyne EV road queen. With the offroad package and wood accents, it's reminiscent of our T2 Touareg.

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Here are a few observations that I would pass along to a new owner.

1. Standard ride height doesn't have much of a negative effect on the HWY (VS. the lowest setting).
2. I only use CONSERVE mode on the HWY (not around town) - Conserve tends to torque the front tires driving local
3. LOW & HIGH ride heights can also increase tire wear based on negative or positive camber.
4. Use car wash mode when washing (and get used to enabling it) at home, or at a car wash.
5. Camp Mode is great for more than camping - like turning all your lights down when waiting, or for going stealth mode.
6. Tow mode is awesome - cameras are super helpful. Tows like a beast of a truck, but I have only towed locally.

I'm basically driving around in All-Purpose at the standard ride height with a medium suspension setting (and regen setting) most of the time. The truck can do almost anything in those settings anyway. SNOW mode is my second most used drive mode. All of the other modes are reserved for anything else of pavement, and used less frequently in my case.

Connect+ subscription is also worth it if you didn't get it.
Car wash mode was an interesting experience for the first time. As was the attendant asking me to drive it up to the rails. (Even though I'm still figuring out all the controls.) And the app put a smile on my face with this little easter egg... 🍻
1780182453936.png
 
Last night I traded the 2023 Lightning Lariat Extended Range with 35,600 miles on it for a 2024 Silverado RST (Max Range) with 10,000 miles on it.

First impressions:
It’s only slightly smaller, but handles city driving much better. It’s more maneuverable with the rear steering, but I’m not sure how often I’ll leave that on since it’s more squirrely on the freeway.
It’s quieter inside on the freeway. And the Lightning was already pretty darn quiet.
The midgate means the rear seat structure takes up more of the rear seat, which means less space for storage.
The frunk is smaller, which means I can’t fit in it. And there’s less space for storage.
The HUD is interesting, but I’d leave it off when driving at night—it’s too distracting at night.
The implementation of Android Automotive is superior to any other Android Automotive implementation I have seen so far. I was able to install Libby without trouble and can listen to my audiobooks direct from the vehicle without the phone playing a part.

The 24” wheels are nonsense. I’ll be replacing those ASAP.
I haven’t had to charge it on DCFC yet. That’ll happen this weekend on a 1500 mile road trip.
The truck was charged to 68% when I picked it up. I put it through its paces on the drive up the mountain, so got home with only 20%. If I was new to EVs, only getting 170 miles on 48% of the 200 kWh battery might worry me. But I was testing things out, so it’s not a surprise.

I hate the lack of a start/stop button. I’m trying to accept it. But within four hours of ownership, I had already run into a stupidity with that while backing up to the tent trailer and getting out to check the hitch alignment. Hoping to find a way to disable the dumb algorithm that shuts the vehicle off whenever I leave my seat. I expected better from an established, experienced vehicle manufacturer.

I expect to hate the rear charge port while towing. But the longer range will reduce the number of charge stops we do on camping trips, so it’ll probably come out in the wash.

Screenshot 2026-06-05 at 06.52.38.png
 
Last night I traded the 2023 Lightning Lariat Extended Range with 35,600 miles on it for a 2024 Silverado RST (Max Range) with 10,000 miles on it.

First impressions:
It’s only slightly smaller, but handles city driving much better. It’s more maneuverable with the rear steering, but I’m not sure how often I’ll leave that on since it’s more squirrely on the freeway.
It’s quieter inside on the freeway. And the Lightning was already pretty darn quiet.
The midgate means the rear seat structure takes up more of the rear seat, which means less space for storage.
The frunk is smaller, which means I can’t fit in it. And there’s less space for storage.
The HUD is interesting, but I’d leave it off when driving at night—it’s too distracting at night.
The implementation of Android Automotive is superior to any other Android Automotive implementation I have seen so far. I was able to install Libby without trouble and can listen to my audiobooks direct from the vehicle without the phone playing a part.

The 24” wheels are nonsense. I’ll be replacing those ASAP.
I haven’t had to charge it on DCFC yet. That’ll happen this weekend on a 1500 mile road trip.
The truck was charged to 68% when I picked it up. I put it through its paces on the drive up the mountain, so got home with only 20%. If I was new to EVs, only getting 170 miles on 48% of the 200 kWh battery might worry me. But I was testing things out, so it’s not a surprise.

I hate the lack of a start/stop button. I’m trying to accept it. But within four hours of ownership, I had already run into a stupidity with that while backing up to the tent trailer and getting out to check the hitch alignment. Hoping to find a way to disable the dumb algorithm that shuts the vehicle off whenever I leave my seat. I expected better from an established, experienced vehicle manufacturer.

I expect to hate the rear charge port while towing. But the longer range will reduce the number of charge stops we do on camping trips, so it’ll probably come out in the wash.

View attachment 16265
Congrats!
 
Last night I traded the 2023 Lightning Lariat Extended Range with 35,600 miles on it for a 2024 Silverado RST (Max Range) with 10,000 miles on it.

First impressions:
It’s only slightly smaller, but handles city driving much better. It’s more maneuverable with the rear steering, but I’m not sure how often I’ll leave that on since it’s more squirrely on the freeway.
It’s quieter inside on the freeway. And the Lightning was already pretty darn quiet.
The midgate means the rear seat structure takes up more of the rear seat, which means less space for storage.
The frunk is smaller, which means I can’t fit in it. And there’s less space for storage.
The HUD is interesting, but I’d leave it off when driving at night—it’s too distracting at night.
The implementation of Android Automotive is superior to any other Android Automotive implementation I have seen so far. I was able to install Libby without trouble and can listen to my audiobooks direct from the vehicle without the phone playing a part.

The 24” wheels are nonsense. I’ll be replacing those ASAP.
I haven’t had to charge it on DCFC yet. That’ll happen this weekend on a 1500 mile road trip.
The truck was charged to 68% when I picked it up. I put it through its paces on the drive up the mountain, so got home with only 20%. If I was new to EVs, only getting 170 miles on 48% of the 200 kWh battery might worry me. But I was testing things out, so it’s not a surprise.

I hate the lack of a start/stop button. I’m trying to accept it. But within four hours of ownership, I had already run into a stupidity with that while backing up to the tent trailer and getting out to check the hitch alignment. Hoping to find a way to disable the dumb algorithm that shuts the vehicle off whenever I leave my seat. I expected better from an established, experienced vehicle manufacturer.

I expect to hate the rear charge port while towing. But the longer range will reduce the number of charge stops we do on camping trips, so it’ll probably come out in the wash.

View attachment 16265
Last night I traded the 2023 Lightning Lariat Extended Range with 35,600 miles on it for a 2024 Silverado RST (Max Range) with 10,000 miles on it.

First impressions:
It’s only slightly smaller, but handles city driving much better. It’s more maneuverable with the rear steering, but I’m not sure how often I’ll leave that on since it’s more squirrely on the freeway.
It’s quieter inside on the freeway. And the Lightning was already pretty darn quiet.
The midgate means the rear seat structure takes up more of the rear seat, which means less space for storage.
The frunk is smaller, which means I can’t fit in it. And there’s less space for storage.
The HUD is interesting, but I’d leave it off when driving at night—it’s too distracting at night.
The implementation of Android Automotive is superior to any other Android Automotive implementation I have seen so far. I was able to install Libby without trouble and can listen to my audiobooks direct from the vehicle without the phone playing a part.

The 24” wheels are nonsense. I’ll be replacing those ASAP.
I haven’t had to charge it on DCFC yet. That’ll happen this weekend on a 1500 mile road trip.
The truck was charged to 68% when I picked it up. I put it through its paces on the drive up the mountain, so got home with only 20%. If I was new to EVs, only getting 170 miles on 48% of the 200 kWh battery might worry me. But I was testing things out, so it’s not a surprise.

I hate the lack of a start/stop button. I’m trying to accept it. But within four hours of ownership, I had already run into a stupidity with that while backing up to the tent trailer and getting out to check the hitch alignment. Hoping to find a way to disable the dumb algorithm that shuts the vehicle off whenever I leave my seat. I expected better from an established, experienced vehicle manufacturer.

I expect to hate the rear charge port while towing. But the longer range will reduce the number of charge stops we do on camping trips, so it’ll probably come out in the wash.

View attachment 16265
Wow! Congrats!