I Love My Tesla Model Y, But Rivian Has My Attention, Here’s What I Need to Know Before Making the Switch
This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a post by Gilbert J. Palau. Gilbert currently drives a 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range built at Austin GFTX, and despite getting HW3 instead of HW4, he loves his car. He’s always planned to upgrade within four to five years, and Rivian has been on his radar as a potential next vehicle. Still, he has several key questions about its autonomous driving, sound system, entertainment features, charging, and overall ownership experience. As someone who drives 400 miles weekly, he wants to hear from Rivian owners to understand how it compares to Tesla and where it might be by 2027 before taking one for a test drive.
Gilbert says, “I currently drive a 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range, built at Austin GFTX, and by sheer bad luck, my car came with HW3 when most others received HW4. Despite this, I love driving it. When I purchased it, I estimated that within four to five years, I would upgrade to something new, and Rivian has always been on my radar as a potential next vehicle. However, before deciding, I have several key questions for the community to understand how Rivian measures up and where it might be by 2027. Since I drive around 400 miles weekly, certain features are essential for me, such as autonomous driving. Tesla’s FSD is a must-have as I use it 95% of the time, so I want to know where Rivian stands and how its system compares to Tesla’s. As a passionate audiophile who listens to a lot of EDM and other music, I’m also curious about Rivian’s sound system, speaker count, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple Music support. Beyond music, I’d like to know what Rivian’s entertainment system offers and how it compares to Tesla’s. Additionally, I’m looking for at least 400 miles of range, so I need to understand which configuration meets that requirement, how long it takes to charge from 20% to 80%, and how well Rivian integrates with Tesla Superchargers. I’d also love to hear honest pros and cons about Rivian ownership, no bashing, just real insights. On a more fun note, is the frosted roof that converts to transparent a cool feature or just a gimmick? Finally, if I buy a new Rivian today, will I be getting a Gen 1 or Gen 2 model? I’m asking all these questions to manage my expectations before test-driving a Rivian, and I’m still undecided between the R1T, R1S, or even the upcoming R2, depending on how it measures up. Thanks in advance for your insights.”
Community Insights: How Rivian Stacks Up
Several Rivian owners and EV enthusiasts responded to Gilbert’s post, sharing valuable insights about their experience with Rivian vehicles and how they compare to Tesla.
Ken commented, “FSD seems to be a must-have, and when it comes to autonomy, nothing currently beats Tesla, except for some Chinese EVs that aren’t available in the U.S. If you want to see how Rivian compares, I recommend watching a few reviews from the Out of Spec YouTube channel. When it comes to audio, Tesla's system is almost unanimously considered superior, though if you're into EDM, you may want more bass. Rivian’s premium audio does sound good with Atmos tracks, but there aren’t many of those available. One of the first things you’ll notice is that Rivian’s interior feels far more luxurious than Tesla’s minimalist design. The suspension is also less harsh than your Model Y, though it does produce some noise from the half shafts at times. While Rivian is less energy-efficient than your Model Y, the tradeoff is a significantly more spacious interior, almost like comparing apples and oranges. You’ll also notice the vehicle’s size when parking, but surprisingly, not when driving.”
Sandy added, “If FSD is a non-negotiable for you, you may find Rivian’s current state of ADAS to be a step back, as it’s still being built out and is currently limited to mapped highways. Apple Music is integrated, but even with the premium audio system, the sound quality might not meet your expectations, some say recent updates have improved it significantly, but it still doesn’t compare to my husband’s stock system in his iX (though I wouldn’t recommend that either). I initially thought the electrochromic roof in my Rivian was a gimmick, but I keep it opaque all the time, and it blocks out more light than my Model X did. Once you test-drive a Rivian, you might find that it’s just a different kind of vehicle with its must-have features!”
Gayle, who recently switched from Tesla to Rivian, shared her experience: “After over a decade with Tesla, I recently switched to Rivian and can answer some of your questions. I took my Rivian R1S on a road trip across the U.S. using Tesla adapters and had a worry-free experience. All new Rivians are Gen 2, and they just received an update for hands-free driving on freeways, with more autonomous features planned—but only for Gen 2 vehicles. Apple Music, Bluetooth, and iPhone connectivity are supported, though some find the standard speakers lacking; it’s best to test both audio systems yourself. While Rivian lacks Tesla’s entertainment features like games and Netflix, it offers fun lighting effects, bird chirps on locking, and an overall more premium feel. The Dual Motor Max battery with 22” wheels is the only configuration exceeding 400 miles of range, and Rivians can charge at Tesla Gen 3 and 4 Superchargers but not older ones. I drove 180,000 miles in a Tesla Model 3 without home charging, and now I’m eyeing the Rivian R1T. The ride is much smoother than a Tesla’s but can feel bouncy on bumps, and while the vehicle is significantly larger, it handles better than my husband’s original Model S.”
My Own Opinion
From my perspective as someone who has driven Teslas extensively, the decision between Tesla and Rivian is not just about specs, it’s about experience. Tesla offers a more refined software ecosystem and the best autonomy in the market, but Rivian counters with rugged charm, luxury, and versatility. Personally, I admire Rivian’s adventurous design and off-road capabilities, but I would need to test its long-term reliability and charging infrastructure compatibility before making a switch.
Conclusion: A Thoughtful Decision
What about you? Have you switched from Tesla to Rivian or vice versa? What was your experience like?
Please let us know in the comments.
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.