Back-and-forth between Cybertruck (tri-motor) and R1T (quad-motor)

[Spvrtan]

I reserved the day after the Cybertruck announcement. I configured my Cyberbeast on Jan 25th this year. I was hell-bent on going with the CB up until recently. Now I'm considering just going with the R1T in quad configuration. I'd be curious to hear opinions from others that went through this conversation in their head.

Background: I have plenty of experience offroading and working with trucks. I already have a dedicated vehicle -- a Toyota Tundra (supercharged V8) -- that I use for recreation and truck things or for towing. So I wouldn't really be getting either EV to replace that and it'd be more for a daily driver and hobby vehicle (even though I work remotely 3 days of the week). And we already have a Model Y in the family. I also do my own metal fabrication and will probably make some things for the CB (eg. bumpers, body panels). Probably going to make a trailer to tow behind the CB or R1T with a bunch of solar panels and a battery system for charging while camping, too.
https://www.instagram.com/spvrtan/p/Coi6YDHrW9t/
https://www.instagram.com/spvrtan/p/Cm1nCK6L4wg/

Here're my thoughts so far.

CB

• Bullet-resistant panels and upgraded glass is a plus but realistically don't really need that (it's not like I live in a high risk area like LA or ever drive through there).
• Exterior as a whole is unique. I have nothing against it and can appreciate the design.
• Truck bed isn't super usable due to the sloped sides and high walls but also already have a truck/trailer for that kind of use.
• Rear-steering is cool.
• Steer-by-wire is cool but I worry about software/mechanical failure; I also kind of like the control a traditional steering setup provides, especially since I love driving. Additionally, don't really care for Tesla's FSD because of said passion for driving.
• Don't care for the Powershare functionality.
• Foundation Series is cool and all but nothing in it really screams at me as a "must-have" at that $20k price tag other than for bragging rights or clout.
• I do like that all of the CT's specs/numbers are already based off of the truck having 35" tires from the factory whereas other EV trucks being compared to the CT's specs have ~32s. Which means going to 37s shouldn't be too much work (not against cutting up the truck to fit them).
• Interior of the CT is "okay" to me. I get the whole Tesla minimalistic aesthetic but I do prefer the Rivian interiors since they're more sporty/adventure-based. The screen in front of the steering wheel is a plus, too. While I've grown to get used to the single screen in our Model Y, it still feels too empty to me.
• As a whole, I feel like Tesla's are more catered to those that want a reliable vehicle to go places around the concrete jungles. The CT is a step above that with the offroad appeal but still feel like the CT is a pavement princess first.
• Upgradable via extended battery pack in the future.
• The flat SS body panels are probably going to be expensive to replace but also easy to vinyl wrap myself. Another plus is them being flat probably means I could easily do my own fabrication work and replace them with aluminum panels and do more contouring to shape the silhouette of the CT (at the cost of losing the whole bullet-resistant aspect).
• CT seems to have a pretty solid suspension performance-wise from what I've seen through videos of others abusing their truck. Though it seems like a lot of the suspension components could be upgraded for durability (ie. control arms, steering linkages).
• CB (FS) will be ~$130k total after taxes/fees.

R1T (quad)

• Interior and exterior appeal to me more.
• Truck bed is smaller but more accessible.
• Gear tunnel is pretty slick.
• Now has access to Tesla's charging network.
• Traditional mechanical steering system, which is more reliable (and fixable) when offroading.
• Specs/numbers seem to take a huge dump when going to 35" tires from ~32s; probably more significant than a CB going to 37s from 35s.
• Rivian feels more marketed toward general outdoor enthusiasts.
• Battery pack isn't upgradable.
• I hear the body panels are just as expensive to replace since it's a unibody vehicle with large single panels. I couldn't easily make my own panels out of metal like I could with the CT.
• The suspension seems to be pretty good offroad as far as travel but some say it doesn't drive that smooth going faster on some dirt trails or desert whoops.
• Will be $110k total after taxes/fees.

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[Cyber Man]

Great points! I went through many of these points when I was contemplating between R1T and CT. I finally decided to go with CT for few reasons. Everyone’s priorities are different, but below are the reasons why CT won for me.

- Tesla charging network is unbeatable. Other vehicles might get access in the future, but the ease of software + supercharging network is far more superior than manually searching for a Tesla supercharger in Rivian while driving.
- I’m big on getting small dents all the time. I’m done paying repair costs. I don’t have to worry much about this with CT.
- Power outlets from CT is a big plus for me. I can run equipments out of it.
- I felt Rivian bed to be too small. If I go camping in that, I have to buy Roof Top Tent or camp outside. I don’t have that problem with CT. This is a huge plus for me. I’m selling my Trailer for this very reason. I’m done with RV trailer camping. It takes me half a day to prep clean before and after every trip. I can just put two bed mattresses in the bed and camp in a CT, or just put a regular tent in the bed. Many folks have tried it. It’s totally practical. I can’t do that in Rivian. Even if the weather is harsh (snow or rain or heavy wind), I can sleep in the second row. I prefer that over the R1T gear compartment. If I’m doing solo snowboard trips, sleeping in the second row with camp mode On is a game changer. I can keep all the gear secure in the bed. I have missed a few snow camping trips as the weather changed last min, and I couldn’t take my trailer. I have also been forced to leave my night trips as I couldn’t stay over to enjoy the fresh powder in the morning. I never have to worry about that with my CT.
- I dig all the futuristic design and innovation that has gone into CT. The list is long, but you know what I’m talking about.

The biggest con with CT for me is that I would like to do Stealth camping and prefer to not get much attention. CT is quite the opposite. It’ll attract lot of attention. Probably it’ll take several years for people to ignore CT. I can’t get futuristic design and stealth mode at the same time, unless one day Tesla adds “cloak mode” while camping ?

Rivian is a great vehicle, but I’m sure I’ll regret not buying a CT if I ignore all these pros.

 

[MajorVictory]

The real risk of Rivian bankruptcy and the FSD lead of Tesla cinch things for Me.

 

[Agassi]

Fantastic, I was under the same dilemma and your explanation gave me boost to go ahead with my CB FS ? thanks a lot

 

[Speedr]

MotorTrend just did a comparison between a Dual Motor Cybertruck, a top spec Rivian (quad motor max pack), and an F-150 Lightning. They were all really close...even with the huge handicap of AT tires on the Cybertruck...and that was against the Dual Motor. If it had been a Cyberbeast, it wouldn't have even been close on the performance numbers (and who knows off-roading). But I agree on the stealth par...at least for the next 3-6 months, you aren't going stealth ANYWHERE!

 

[CyberT]

R1T (quad)

• Now has access to Tesla's charging network.

One thing to keep in mind that I keep hearing on YouTube and in forums is that while Rivian and others have access to up to 15k Supercharger Stalls (some manufacturers only get access to 12k). That is currently less than 30% of the total 50k+ worldwide.

This experience will not be the same as in a Tesla, we have no idea which 15k they will be, V2's? V3's? will they get access to the new V4's? Will the 15k be located in high-traffic areas? Or will they be on the outskirts at less congested locations?

 

[Mini2nut]

If going for the Rivian R1T wait until May, Rivian will be shutting down the assembly lines next month to retool the line for some improvements. One will be a new electrical architecture wiring harness.

“I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:

1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025”

 

[JPRIVER]

That is currently less than 30% of the total 50k+ worldwide.

I noticed in the tesla app is a "charge your other ev" icon now. Check the upper right 3 ellipses. This shows which stations may be open to non tesla. Not a lot...

 

[CyberT]

I noticed in the tesla app is a "charge your other ev" icon now. Check the upper right 3 ellipses. This shows which stations may be open to non tesla. Not a lot...

Thanks for clarifying that

 

[Guylouis]

I was back-and-forth for a bit until my wife made this statement

“Why do you need such a fast truck? You have my Model Y performance if you want speed”

it was at that moment I realized no way is my wife driving a car that’s so much faster than mine ?

Beast me!!

 

[jditom]

Just a few things.
Rivian will only get access to 55-60% of Tesla Superchargers and will cost 30% more without a monthly subscription.
Rivian sway bars disconnect so it has more articulation if you are rock crawling. Something I have done in my Landcruiser days. But will never do again.
Tono cover on the CT is the best.
Good Luck on your decision. Both great choices.

 

[Spvrtan]

Great points! I went through many of these points when I was contemplating between R1T and CT. I finally decided to go with CT for few reasons. Everyone’s priorities are different, but below are the reasons why CT won for me.

- Tesla charging network is unbeatable. Other vehicles might get access in the future, but the ease of software + supercharging network is far more superior than manually searching for a Tesla supercharger in Rivian while driving.
- I’m big on getting small dents all the time. I’m done paying repair costs. I don’t have to worry much about this with CT.
- Power outlets from CT is a big plus for me. I can run equipments out of it.
- I felt Rivian bed to be too small. If I go camping in that, I have to buy Roof Top Tent or camp outside. I don’t have that problem with CT. This is a huge plus for me. I’m selling my Trailer for this very reason. I’m done with RV trailer camping. It takes me half a day to prep clean before and after every trip. I can just put two bed mattresses in the bed and camp in a CT, or just put a regular tent in the bed. Many folks have tried it. It’s totally practical. I can’t do that in Rivian. Even if the weather is harsh (snow or rain or heavy wind), I can sleep in the second row. I prefer that over the R1T gear compartment. If I’m doing solo snowboard trips, sleeping in the second row with camp mode On is a game changer. I can keep all the gear secure in the bed. I have missed a few snow camping trips as the weather changed last min, and I couldn’t take my trailer. I have also been forced to leave my night trips as I couldn’t stay over to enjoy the fresh powder in the morning. I never have to worry about that with my CT.
- I dig all the futuristic design and innovation that has gone into CT. The list is long, but you know what I’m talking about.

The biggest con with CT for me is that I would like to do Stealth camping and prefer to not get much attention. CT is quite the opposite. It’ll attract lot of attention. Probably it’ll take several years for people to ignore CT. I can’t get futuristic design and stealth mode at the same time, unless one day Tesla adds “cloak mode” while camping ?

Rivian is a great vehicle, but I’m sure I’ll regret not buying a CT if I ignore all these pros.

Agreed very much on the innovation aspect of the CT. The 48v architecture is definitely pulling me toward the CT. Though me being a gearhead -- and granted I'm familiar with software since I work in engineering/technology -- the fact that a lot of the CT is software-managed and there're less analog components than a standard vehicle might be annoying to the hobbyist side of me.

 

[Spvrtan]

MotorTrend just did a comparison between a Dual Motor Cybertruck, a top spec Rivian (quad motor max pack), and an F-150 Lightning. They were all really close...even with the huge handicap of AT tires on the Cybertruck...and that was against the Dual Motor. If it had been a Cyberbeast, it wouldn't have even been close on the performance numbers (and who knows off-roading). But I agree on the stealth par...at least for the next 3-6 months, you aren't going stealth ANYWHERE!

I saw that one, too, but wasn't the Rivian also a dual-motor instead of their quad variant?

 

[Spvrtan]

If going for the Rivian R1T wait until May, Rivian will be shutting down the assembly lines next month to retool the line for some improvements. One will be a new electrical architecture wiring harness.

“I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:

1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025”

Interesting. Would be nice to hear what else they're upgrading the R1s with. I wonder if all the rumors of an "Ascent" trim will come true with the retooling.

 

[Spvrtan]

Just a few things.
Rivian will only get access to 55-60% of Tesla Superchargers and will cost 30% more without a monthly subscription.
Rivian sway bars disconnect so it has more articulation if you are rock crawling. Something I have done in my Landcruiser days. But will never do again.
Tono cover on the CT is the best.
Good Luck on your decision. Both great choices.

The disconnect definitely pulls me in. I run my Tundra without sway bars on and off pavement and it's fun to drive.

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