LC 250 vs Rivian R2

solidbrix

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Feb 17, 2024
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2024 Land Cruiser / 2020 4Runner
While obviously the Rivian is still 2 years away from first deliveries, I must admit the R2 looks like a 4Runner and R1S had a baby.

Killer features would have too be automatic rear window (like a 4Runner) & the folding flat front seats for camping w/ air mattress. 300+ miles with the mid trim coming in probably around 50k-55k before any federal or state tax incentives. This puts it close to the 1958 model in pricing. They have a solid track record for actual off-road capability, and the classic boxy SUV style is present here (I like it at least).

Hybrid LC250 vs fully Electric Rivian R2 is another debate, but Rivian really is cooking up something nice.

Maybe this might be a nice pair with the LC 250?
 

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I was really impressed with all the features and like you I was excited to see the roll down rear window. I also thought the fold down front row seats was slick. I'm interested to learn more about the suspension. If the price for a nicely equipped AWD, dual motor is around $55,000, I think it will be a success.
 
The new Rivian R2 is impressive. I'm with @Paint , I want to drive/drift the R3X! It looks like a fun little retro rally car.
 
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Always loved the Rivans just a bit out of my price range. Good for them for diversifying!
 
My neighbor and good friend had been planning to get a new Rivian R1 and upon spending time with it at his dealer he bailed out. Said the quality and overall value just wasn't what he expected. He's now on the hunt for a Heritage Blue FE.
 
Fold down front seats is a great feature. The Land Cruiser doesn't have even have rear seats that fold flat as there is a ledge - would be tough to sleep in without some modifications.
 
What's interesting is that I had an R1S on order, with a deposit down on the R2. At about the time that I was getting close to taking delivery on the R1, the LC came out. The process of finalizing the transaction on the R1 was so bumpy and reflective of a company that didn't really have its customer service act in order, I bailed. Happened to find an Underground LC on a lot in my area (which was near impossible at that time), and took the plunge. Love the LC, but have to say that I'm still intrigued by the R2. Would really need to be able to better understand the off road capabilities and test drive one before I'd move off of the LC though. If you're doing serious overlanding stuff or rock crawling, I doubt the R2 would make sense. You don't want to be 50 miles from nowhere in an EV. Since most of the trails I do tend to run no more than 15-20 miles and are generally easy to moderate trails, I think the R2 would work fine. Plan is to roll with the LC until I have a chance to actually test an R2. I suspect at that point I'll end up sticking with the LC, since I do love it, but I'd at least look at the R2 as another option. Now if they'd just find a way to make the R2 look as bad ass as the LC, much easier decision. :)
 
I have been around a lot of Rivians. By most all accounts they are really well thought out vehicles and have some nice advantages for off roading as an EV (ground clearance etc.). Perhaps a bigger concern would be more around wear and tear. Inevitably, if you take it off road it will need extra maintenance or get damaged and you could get stuck waiting months for parts and/or repairs.
 
I do know several people with Rivians. Really nice looking vehicles with good stock capabilities, but almost all of them have had mechanical issues ranging from minor to the vehicle being inoperable.
 
I have been around a lot of Rivians. By most all accounts they are really well thought out vehicles and have some nice advantages for off roading as an EV (ground clearance etc.). Perhaps a bigger concern would be more around wear and tear. Inevitably, if you take it off road it will need extra maintenance or get damaged and you could get stuck waiting months for parts and/or repairs.
Collison and comprehensive insurance costs on these vehicles is also insane. Since even a minor incident can cause the vehicles to be totaled. If battery pack housing is damaged, no body shop or insurance agency will be willing to fix it due to liability concerns.
 
All legitimate concerns and another reason that I backed away. I’ve been in a number of R1S’s. Fantastic vehicles. And if there’s an issue, the owner is sometimes without the truck for a month or more while Rivian figures out how to fix it. I just had the sense of a company that wasn’t fully developed yet and winging it on maintenance and customer service. Can’t have that.

The hope is that two years down the road and with VW’s investment, they’ll have these issues figured out. Would take a lot to get me to move on from the LC, but I’ll still track the R2 and see where it goes and how they address the very legit concerns outlined.
 
Nothing wrong with living on the cutting edge as long as you know what you are getting into. It can be a lot of fun.

In that perspective, you should check out the upcoming Scout as another choice in that category. Also backed by VW and has some nice editions like the gas range extender.
 
Nothing wrong with living on the cutting edge as long as you know what you are getting into. It can be a lot of fun.

In that perspective, you should check out the upcoming Scout as another choice in that category. Also backed by VW and has some nice editions like the gas range extender.
Yes. I've been following that one with great interest too. Imagine -- an EV that's a good off roader that actually has a gas generator to extend range. Not sure why others haven't picked up on that simple concept. People want the comfort of range. Definitely some exciting stuff going on in that space.

Honestly, if the Scout was in production now, I'd have gone in that direction. They seem to have hit everything I was looking for in a vehicle and I definitely like the look better than Rivian. Certainly gives me plenty of time to play around with this one though. I'll be at CES, where I understand they'll be showing. Will be interesting to see what they're doing
 
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Same as above. Had an R1S on order, test drove one ~2 years ago... passed. I think they are cool, I have had multiple EV's in the past 10 years, but Rivians are just not reliable enough for me as this is my DD. I think they will get there eventually, but not right now. Not that I have ever purchased a vehicle as an investment, but the gigantic depreciation hit Rivian owners are taking makes me feel better about not buying one as well. Oddly, Consumer Reports has Rivian as the least reliable vehicle of all makes, but the customer satisfaction is the highest of all brands! Go figure.
 
Same as above. Had an R1S on order, test drove one ~2 years ago... passed. I think they are cool, I have had multiple EV's in the past 10 years, but Rivians are just not reliable enough for me as this is my DD. I think they will get there eventually, but not right now. Not that I have ever purchased a vehicle as an investment, but the gigantic depreciation hit Rivian owners are taking makes me feel better about not buying one as well. Oddly, Consumer Reports has Rivian as the least reliable vehicle of all makes, but the customer satisfaction is the highest of all brands! Go figure.
It's a bit of a cultish following. A lot of the owners also bought stock early on, so some of that is more about rooting for your investment. The other aspect is that they really are very cool cars. I like driving fast from time to time. If you've ever been in the top tier R1S, it's an absolute rocket. Very fun to drive. I don't drive the LC fast because it's really not meant for that. That's why the other car is a BMW, so I can scratch that itch.

The problem, for me, is that if I'm going to drop $90-100K on a car, I can't know it's likely to not be a very dependable car. You were exactly where I was. Just couldn't pull the trigger.

LC is developing a cult like following too. The difference is that they seem to be very reliable, purpose built vehicles, that don't cost 6 figures and are built by a company well known for making quality products. Makes a difference.
 
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