Hacker News Reader

Comment by nkotov | Hacker News Reader

I'm on my fifth Tesla now and by far the Model 3 Performance was my favorite to drive around even though Model S Plaid is a lot faster. If this handles anything like that, it's an instant buy from me.

View on HN

I’m only on my first Model Y, and it’s a great car albeit a bit cramped with a kid and a dog, and some pretty dumb UX/design choices. Rivian seems to be the only company building thoughtful, well-sized EV SUVs rather than trucks. Definitely going to choose the R2 for our next car; nice to see some competition while Tesla is asleep at the wheel with the cybertruck.

I find Rivian design to look boringly conventional. I’m guessing they use the same body fabrication machines as other auto makers? Vs Tesla who build the machines in house AFAIK. If they didn’t look so much worse I would consider them.

There are a lot more EV brands with SUV models than Rivian and Tesla:

- Volvo XC40 recharge (now called EX40)

- Kia EV6, EV9 / Hyundai Ioniq 5

- VW ID4 (or Skoda Enyaq if you're in the EU)

- Mercedes EQx / BMW i series / Mini countryman

Was it really that pronounced? On paper it’s 3.3s vs 2secs 0-100 right?

It sure felt that pronounced the first time I tried to follow a Tesla up a freeway onramp while riding my motorcycle and it just ghosted me. I had never seen a four-wheeled vehicle move like that before.

3.3 to 2 is DRAMATIC -- the real trick is they once you're moving so fast, the experience becomes so brief, that the thrill becomes less substantial

Like if Disney world rides ran faster / shorter. They're already really short.

I mean its 1.6x the acceleration lol

“Instant” may be an issue - none of the cars shown will ship for another couple of years.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com