I Switched From My 2020 Tesla Model X to a 2025 Rivian R1S After 5 Years, Tesla's Software Beats Rivian, My Model X HV Battery Had To Be Replaced Three Times

There comes a point in car ownership, especially with something as complex and ambitious as an electric SUV, when technology takes a back seat to practicality. After five years with a Tesla Model X, one owner found himself at that crossroads. The software was still impressive, the doors still theatrical, and the Autopilot still ahead of the curve. But when it came time to haul three growing kids, groceries, gear, and the weariness of repeated battery replacements, the promise of something simpler and sturdier began to take shape. That something was the Rivian R1S.

“I still have a 2020 Tesla Model X LR and just added a 2025 R1S Standard. When I was considering the R1S, I searched but did not find a comprehensive and objective comparison of the two vehicles. For Tesla MX owners considering switching, here are my thoughts. First, some background to help you contextualize my experience:

TL;DR: Software experience is far better for Tesla. Hardware / build quality is far better for Rivian. For my near-term needs, the Tesla Model X is better. But over time, the R1S's larger size will be the deciding factor, and I'll have to make do with the Rivian's shortcomings.

Background: Experienced Tesla owner, new R1S owner.

Owning the Model X for 5 years as the daily driver, I know it extremely well. I hate how many problems my Tesla has had -- for example, my HV battery has been replaced 3 times (yes, THREE times).

Owned the R1S for 2 months, so I don't profess to be a R1S expert. But it is my exclusive daily driver. I am hoping to find all the quirks before taking it out for summer road trips.

My use case: Full-size 3-row EV as kid hauler.

I have 3 young kids. Must-haves for a new car were 1) a full-size, usable third row as the kids grow, and 2) an electric vehicle since I have a home charger. Rarely used the MX third row, given how tight it is; main usage was to separate the kids and minimize fighting. Nice-to-have was to have a large hauling capacity, in order to move kids' stuff and large items for home/business needs.

Also considered the Lexus TX plug-in, Kia EV9, Audi Q7 e-tron, VW Buzz, and gas minivans (primarily Sienna, Odyssey, and Carnival). Not the focus of this post, but happy to share my thoughts on these alternatives if you have a similar use

Now, a detailed comparison of the two vehicles.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

• Manned driving experience: R1S >MX. Good steering wheel weight. Responsive handling and adjustable drive modes (snow, sand). Acceleration and regenerative braking are pretty similar for both vehicles. Road noise is far lower in the R1S, so I don't need to blast the music as I did in the MX.
• Self-driving experience: MX > R1S all around, but R1S will not nag you to death. R1S's self-driving (Highway Assist) only works on the highway and is far limited than Tesla's Autopilot. The latter will switch lanes on its own, allows speed/aggressiveness adjustments, and works when you are not on the highway. That said, Tesla Autopilot nags incessantly and requires you to regularly jiggle the steering wheel, even when you are on a completely straight stretch of highway for miles and miles. Rivian Highway Assist nags far less but is also less accurate -- it disengaged for a section of highway that was being repaved with poorly visible lane lines.

 

CONTROLS

• Physical controls: MX > R1S. The Tesla buttons and scroll wheels were customizable and had various functions. The R1S right buttons are only used to adjust speed on Highway Assist; the rest of the time, they do absolutely nothing.
• Touchscreen controls: R1S is slightly better than MX. Rivian's menus are shallower with easy access to most of the things you need, so fewer clicks are needed. Tesla touchscreen menus are cumbersome to navigate.

 

PHYSICAL QUALITIES

• Storage capacity: R1S > MX. R1S wins hands down with huge front trunk, subfloor trunk storage, usable third row, roof racks instead of the MX's gull wings. Tie-down latches in the trunk make it incredibly functional. The main downside of R1S is the lack of glove box
• Heating/cooling: R1S > MX. Front seats for R1S are both heated and cooled, while the front seats for MX are only heated. The third row for R1S also has heated seats, but MX doesn't.
• Lighting: R1S > MX. R1S has adaptive headlights to spare oncoming traffic from high beams. Guide lights and accent lighting are nice, but more for show than anything useful.
• Wipers: R1S > MX. Rivian's automatic wiper sensing works well. While MX offers this option, I keep it on at all times, and the wipers do not reliably engage, even in heavy rain. R1S also has a rear wiper, vs. MX does not.
• Doors: MX > R1S. Closing the R1S doors requires a heavy push and cannot be actuated. The kids end up not shutting the door with enough force ~10% of the time, which means I need to close it -- very inconvenient during hectic school drop off. Now I tell them to just slam the door, which has worked well so far. MX was ideal for small kids since the wing doors could be closed with a button push.
• Seats: R1S > MX. R1S has high-quality, durable material that withstands the kids jumping and stepping without issue. MX has visible scuffs and scrapes on the seats, which are a thinner material.

TECHNOLOGY

• GPS & Navigation: MX > R1S. Traffic is clearly visible on Tesla navigation, but is sporadic for Rivian. The highway can be horribly backed up, and Rivian navigation won't show any red at all. Hard to proactively avoid traffic when it isn't reliably visible on my R1S.
• Cameras: R1S is far superior, particularly the 360-degree view.
• Call quality: R1S > MX. In the MX, it is hard for people to hear me, given the excessive road noise, especially while on the highway. No similar issues for the R1S. People can hear me clearly and have not raised call quality as an issue (unlike when I speak in the MX).
• Voice control: MX > R1S, but I admit to being biased against Alexa. R1S voice controls via Alexa work fine, but it is annoying to have to summon "Alexa" every time. MX has a dedicated button to trigger voice control, which I much prefer.
• Entertainment: MX > R1S. Kids like to play the Tesla arcade games when we are killing time. Rivian only has YouTube and audio streaming services, so it works well enough, but is less of a draw for the kids.

My highest weighted items are GPS/navigation, call quality, and capacity. In general, Tesla has a more refined software experience, particularly with navigation. But the better Tesla software is moot if I can't fit the whole family, diapers, bikes, and sports gear, so I will ultimately need to accept Rivian's shortcomings to get more space for the family.

Lastly, if you want to use my referral code, I pledge to pass on the referral credit to you ($500 value as of writing). Please DM me; I won't post my referral code publicly. When I got my R1S, I used another Redditor's referral code because they had several posts stating they would pass on the full credit. However, they only passed on half the credit ($250). While I appreciate them for passing on anything, I was misled by what they had publicly promised. So, my turn to help build the Rivian community that I hope for: I pledge to pass on the credit to you -- and if I don't, I urge you to name and shame me.”

The Model X dazzles with software, but even Tesla loyalists will admit it comes with mechanical headaches. The R1S, on the other hand, offers a kind of practical solidity that recalls the glory days of full-frame Suburbans, except now it’s powered by electricity instead of unleaded.

2025 Rivian R1S: Pricing, Performance & Key Specifications

• The 2025 Rivian R1S starts at approximately $77.7K for the dual-motor Explore trim (destination fee included) and climbs to around $107.7K for the top-tier Tri-Motor Max package; early Quad‑Motor Max deposits are being accepted for a later release 
• Dual‑motor versions achieve 0–60 mph in about 4.5 s, while the tri‑motor setup manages around 3 s. EPA-estimated range spans roughly 300 miles with the Large battery and nearly 400 miles with the Max battery 
• Measuring about 200.8″ long, 82″ wide (without mirrors), and 77.3″ tall, with a 121.1″ wheelbase, the R1S offers up to 7,700 lb towing capacity, 8.7″ of ground clearance, and robust off-road design 
• Configurations include dual‑ or quad‑motor AWD and an available 135 kWh Large battery, plus vegan-leather seating, adaptive air suspension, and modular interior cargo options; the vehicle seats 7 across three rows

Where things get very real, especially for families, is in the third row. Reddit user megrimlockrocks summed it up best: 

“My biggest issue with X is that the 3rd row is a joke, okay for young kids, but that’s it. R1S, EV9, adults can sit very comfortably.” 

It's true. The Model X offers a “+2” seating option that feels more like penance than practicality. The R1S, by contrast, has a truly usable third row. Heated, spacious, and easy to access, it was designed with actual humans in mind, maybe even adults. And when you're strapping three kids into car seats, that isn't a luxury; it's a requirement.

Rivian R1S vs Tesla Model X: Hands-On Driving & Family Use Comparison

The R1S also nails something that's often overlooked in EV coverage: the tactile, daily experience of actually driving the thing. As the same Redditor notes, 

“Manned driving experience: R1S > MX... Road noise is far lower in the R1S, so I don't need to blast the music as I did in the MX.” 

That tracks. The Rivian feels planted, quieter, and more composed than the Model X on imperfect asphalt. Tesla wins in automation and polish, no one’s denying Autopilot is more advanced, but Rivian wins the moment your hands hit the wheel and your kids start squabbling about snacks.

And while the R1S may not gamify its cabin like Tesla’s in-dash arcade, it has charm in the real-world tech details. Its 360-degree camera suite is a revelation. HVAC is powerful and flexible. And yes, there's Alexa voice control, which, for one R1T owner on Reddit, meant having to disable it after their kid kept shouting, “ALEXA FART!” on repeat. Practicality meets parenting. One workaround even lets you activate Alexa by pressing and holding the steering wheel button, removing the need for verbal triggers, a small touch, but an example of Rivian listening to its users, not just its engineers.

Then there's the looming impact of Rivian's next move. The upcoming R2 platform isn’t just about adding a smaller, more affordable sibling to the lineup. It’s also the structural foundation for a historic partnership with Volkswagen. As The Verge reported, VW is investing up to $5 billion into Rivian to co-develop electric vehicles. That means future Volkswagens will ride on Rivian bones, an alliance that might prove more disruptive than any single product.

Rivian R1S & VW R2 Platform Partnership: $5 Billion Joint Venture Breakdown

• Rivian and Volkswagen formed a $5 billion joint venture to co-develop software and core tech. The R2 platform will serve as the underpinning for future VW Group EVs 
• VW’s upcoming entry-level EV (codenamed ID Every1 or ID1) will be the first to utilize an off‑the‑shelf version of Rivian's R2 zonal-architecture platform 
• Rivian’s R2 brings modular, zonal hardware and software architecture that VW brands, including Audi and Porsche, can adapt for unique UIs, suspension tuning, and brand differentiation 
• Scheduled for production in the first half of 2026 and aiming for a starting price around $45,000, the R2 midsize SUV will not only anchor Rivian’s line-up but also serve as VW Group’s shared EV hardware and software backbone

This changes the landscape entirely. Rivian isn’t trying to beat Tesla at its own game, over-the-air updates, supercharging networks, etc., because it doesn’t need to. 

One where practicality, build quality, and long-term partnerships matter more than dancing light shows and lap times. And judging by the increasing number of parents making the switch, that’s exactly what this maturing EV market is calling for.

The Model X is still a marvel of software integration, a vehicle so advanced it can make others feel prehistoric. But it’s not always comfortable, and it’s certainly not always reliable. The R1S, by contrast, is what happens when designers prioritize usability over spectacle. It may just be the SUV that shows up, shuts up, and gets the job done, with room for three growing kids, soccer gear, and your favorite doggo.

Image Sources: Rivian Newsroom

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.