Rivian R1S vs. Tesla Model X Plaid - Third Row Seating

We will show the 6 seat configuration in both vehicles and compare the third row seating in Rivian R1S and a Tesla Model X Plaid. Can an adult fit?

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0:00 Introduction
0:32 Model X Third Row
2:31 Rivian R1S Third Row
3:59 Six Seat Config in Rivian
5:13 Declare the Winner

[BigTokie]

To compare a 6 seat X and R1S, we loaded both cars with 6 people. 6'5", 6'1", 6', 5'9", 5'3", 4'10'. After positioning the seats as best as possible for all 3 rows in the R1S, I thought the dash protruded out too far into my knee caps. The R1S 3rd row walls off anyone sitting in back. The boxy interior does give the feel of greater width in the R1S but the X also has good headroom in all seats. The R1S wheelbase is shorter than the R1T to make the car more nimble but short on legroom. The X discussed has the captain's chair configuration not a bench seat for 7. As shown in the video, the 3rd row is accessible easily. The X chairs can be configured comfortably for road trips. The 6-seat X also has space for your adventure dog to lay down in the middle while the R1S does not. For road trips, the R1S can be loaded with a roof storage box and another on the hitch. The X can't have any roof mount due to the X-wing doors. You can add a hitch mount box for coolers, bikes, skis etc to both. If you plan to haul more than 4 people in the R1S, go for a test drive first. We liked the idea of the R1S but it just was not a comfortable layout for 6. The X is mostly a people hauler and does so quite well. For us, the R1S current layout was not worth the tradeoff of full time cramped seating for the occasional road trip with a box on top. Maybe a future Rivian revision will improve the legroom issue.

[blacksheep]

I live the blue wrap you got on the Tesla

[outfun]

Nice to hear a comparison from an owner of both cars. I hope rivian releases a 6 seat config with captains chairs.

[ddub]

Thank you for the review. The R1S seems to be a better family hauler, also it's nice to have the option of 400 mile range. My only negative about Rivian, they only have one service center by me and it's over an hour drive, and currently I live in a large Metropolitan area, where I moved from in the Northwest, they had 0.

[RelaxingRivian]

Very nice. We are subscribed. We just got our R1s. First Ev.

[shaqdeez]

The other thing the 3rd row in the Rivian has a glass ceiling to bring in more light and to also get better head room. What are you thoughts about the difference in the space between the knee and the 2nd row seat if you were to actually set up the seating configuration for the 1st and 2nd row as you and your family would have? Also the thigh support. What's the difference ? Trying to see who has the less of the knee to chest issue that many of the 3rd row set ups have.

[ryandiehl]

The R1S 2nd row seats not folding all the way is due to the seats not being adjusted to their standard position on the tracks. Adjust them as far back as possible (Where they would be with no one needing to use the 3rd row) and they will fold down.

[Sharkbait]

Thx for the video, When you lifted the X seats back up there were “seriously” concerning indentations on the 3rd row seats caused by “something” when they were down ? Would have loved to see you actually show how much luggage the X and Rivian can take, seats up and seats down, as well as frunk.

[nihongobenkyoshimasu]

You should had compared the 7-seat Tesla Model X instead of the 6-seat Tesla Model X since the Rivian had a 7-seat configuation.
I wonder is the Rivian also has a 6-set configuration with capitain chairs?
It would be interesting to have 6 or 7 real aduts together, to really compare the leg room between the Tesla and the Rivian.
I was not really convinced by the comments regarding the leg room for the 2nd row passengers and the 3rd row passengers in this video.

[asaftzadok]

I was able to sit behind myself in all 3 rows in the Tesla but not in Rivian. 
The overall legroom in all 3 rows of the Tesla (41.1"+39.8+32.2=113.1") is slightly longer compared to the Rivian (41.42"+ 36.65"+32.76"=110.83").
There is also less thigh support as the seat is seating too in the third row of the Rivian.

Can you please do the overall measurements and prove or disprove it ?

[MrStolarsky]

After living with 6 seat X for a couple of years and shoffering 4 kids around I watch these videos with a different perspective. I am not interested in the 3rd row seat to be a "road trip" seat – I need it to be accessible without me leaving the driver seat and X gives me that.

For R1S (which I'd like to test drive when it's available in Europe) the seating situation would require me to assist my kids. They can pull on the 2nd row to get it to latch, but it's one more step to get in the driving position.

Another thing I can do in X and can't in R1S is having child seats in 2nd row and 3rd row still being accessible through the channel in the middle. This is a primary way my kids load and unload, just as mentioned in the video.

Anyway, waiting for my prototype shitty X to finish it's service appointment…

[anonymousgiraffe]

The problem with your review is your anti tesla favorite feature being at the 2nd row fully folds down in the rivian but if you would have purchased the Tesla model X 7 seater the 2nd row also goes down which you didn't happen to mention in your video. Also the tesla 7 seater world be the more comparable option to the rivian you showed because the ruinous was also having a second row bench not the bucket seats as your video showed

[TroySavary]

You were sitting in the back of the X with the gate open, naking it a completely invalid headroom test.

[jimj]

This guy is the definition of "American middle class". Owns a big house, several new big and safe cars, earns $450K a year, bunch of kids etc.

[rkalla]

1:45 you don't mention that there is barely any adult usable legroom - if you had someone next to you (so your knees couldn't float towards that middle opening so easily) and had to do a hour road trip in that position - I'd imagine you'd be miserable.