Rivian Test Drives: Where To Schedule One & What To Know
Rivian by Kevauto — CC-BY-SA-4.0
As far as electric vehicles go, Rivian is undoubtedly one of the more promising up-and-comers in the market. The all-electric Rivian R1T and R1S were proven to be quite popular among consumers, with pre-orders flying off and quickly selling out. With its growing popularity, many of you are probably thinking of getting your hands on a new Rivian, especially when EVs are becoming more attractive options by the day.
However, with such a big-ticket purchase like an all-electric truck or SUV, many people still on the fence are looking to test drive the R1T or R1S before clicking the order button.
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Is it possible to do a Rivian test drive before purchasing?
If you’re wondering if you can test-drive a Rivian EV, you’ve come to the right place. For today’s post, we’ll talk about how you can test drive a Rivian truck or SUV and everything else you need to know.
How and Where to Schedule a Rivian Test Drive?
When Rivian was first introduced in 2020, they didn’t offer test drives, but that certainly changed nowadays. Unfortunately, unlike your standard dealership, you can’t just walk into a Rivian center and schedule a test drive. With Rivian’s direct-sales approach, the fastest way to partake in a test drive (referred to as drive experiences by the company) is if you have already bought into Rivian’s EV products (aka pre-ordered).
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According to Rivian, it’s working on expanding its drive programs to allow more test drives either through one of its hubs or service centers or in-home, where an R1T tester will be brought to your home. As mentioned, Rivian will prioritize pre-order holders for their drive experiences, but it’s not writing off non-customers completely. Therefore, there’s no direct way to schedule a Rivian test drive; instead, you’ll have to wait to be notified by the company.
Participate in Group Tour Events
Another way to experience a Rivian is via tour group events. Basically, the event will bring a number of people together to experience the vehicle in person. It can be an excellent way to check the different trims and finishes of a Rivian R1S or R1T. In addition, the tour may also include expert tips and suggestions from demonstrators and even the ability to drive the vehicle in different environments. For instance, one group tour involved an off-road driving session, which is a great way to experience the Rivian’s power.
Initially, the Rivian Tour Events will be visiting major cities across the country, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Seattle. The company claims that it will add more locations down the line.
For non-customers, you may want to sign up for Rivian’s newsletter for a chance to be notified if the company is in your area.
What to Expect in a Rivian Test Drive?
For your demo drive experience, you’ll receive an invitation to participate via your Rivian account when available in your area. In your demo drive, you’ll have the chance to drive a Rivian EV to experience its power, acceleration, and interior features, most notably the interior look and feel of the cabin.
For mobile test drives, you get to choose the starting point (i.e., your house), and a Rivian will be brought to you. A Rivian specialist will walk you through the vehicle and will be with you in the vehicle during the 30-minute demo drive. For hub drives, you can only drive the Rivian on a set route, allowing you to experience the various features of the EV. Also, the hub sites will have numerous display vehicles with added features and accessories.
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When chosen to participate in a Rivian service center drive, you can experience the vehicle in a curated, local route and receive an in-depth walkthrough by a specialist. Hubs and service centers will have Rivian team members that can answer your questions about batteries, charging, storage, etc. – before and after your demo drive.
One cool thing about these drive experiences by Rivian is that you can actually bring more people with you. For the R1T truck demo drive, you can add up to three guests for the experience. Meanwhile, you can include up to five guests in an R1S SUV demo drive. Just make sure you indicate the number of guests you have in your reservation.
Are There Other Ways to Experience a Rivian?
For getting a closer look at an R1S or R1T, you can visit the Rivian Hub in Venice, CA. Almost always, there’s always one on display that you can check out. Interestingly enough, it’s the same property where author Ray Bradbury lived. However, you won’t be able to drive it. Many more hubs are planned in the future where people can do live viewings.
But can you drive a Rivian without pre-ordering or signing up for anything?
If you live in California, you can rent a Rivian R1T or R1S via Turo.com. Turo is a car-sharing marketplace where you can rent your car to someone or rent someone else’s. Think of it like Airbnb for vehicles. On Turo.com, you can Rent a Rivian in various LA and San Francisco locations. However, this isn’t your typical $ 50-a-day rental. If you want to rent one of the hottest EVs in the market, be ready to spend between $290 to $470 a day.
In Turo, you can expect rental prices for the R1T between $293 to $470 a day, while the R1S is generally available for $450+ per day. While it’s not exactly cheap, it’s probably one of the best ways to experience a Rivian, especially when you’re spending around $70k-$80k for these EVs.
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Experiencing the Rivian
As you can see, getting behind the wheel of a Rivian isn’t as straightforward and easy. However, the company is constantly finding more ways to make its EVs available for people to try. More likely, they’re experiencing logistical issues preventing them from providing Rivian test drives. Hopefully, availing of a Rivian test drive will become more streamlined, so people know what they’re getting before committing to buy a luxury EV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I schedule a test drive for a Rivian vehicle?
A: You can schedule a test drive for a Rivian vehicle directly through Rivian’s official website. They have a dedicated section to find available test drive locations and select a convenient time slot.
Q: Are there specific locations where Rivian offers test drives?
A: Yes, Rivian has several Experience Centers and pop-up locations across the United States where test drives are available. These centers are usually situated in major cities, providing easy access for potential customers. Check Rivian’s website for the most current list of locations.
Q: How long does a Rivian test drive typically last?
A: A Rivian test drive usually lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. This duration lets you get a good feel for the vehicle’s performance, handling, and features. Rivian representatives will guide you through the process and answer any questions.
Q: Should I bring anything to my Rivian test drive appointment?
A: You should bring a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to your test drive appointment. Additionally, wearing comfortable clothing and shoes for driving is a good idea.
Q: Can I test drive different Rivian models during a single appointment?
A: It depends on availability at the test drive location. When scheduling your appointment, it’s best to check with the specific Experience Center or pop-up location to see if multiple models are available for testing.
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