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In the automotive world, changing brands is about reliability, features, and price. Behind every badge is a philosophy, a national character, even a kind of cultural manifesto etched in aluminum and steel.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in the story of a driver who left behind a high-spec Kia EV9 GT, loaded to the gills with tech and comfort, for a Rivian R1S, Rivian’s all-electric, all-purpose SUV born from an American startup with big ideas and a lot to prove.
What this owner found wasn’t just a better vehicle. It was clarity. Confidence. And perhaps most importantly, an understanding that electric vehicles, like the people who build them, are shaped by where they come from.
The Kia felt like an upscale lounge on wheels, refined, intuitive, and feature-rich, but ultimately unreliable. The Rivian, by contrast, felt honest, utilitarian, and capable. It inspired trust not through its gadgets, but through its purpose. This isn’t just a story of an upgrade. It’s a story about the moment when you realize your vehicle reflects your values, and suddenly, those values shift.
And nowhere is this more apparent than when you jump from one automotive continent to another. What we’ve got here is not just a trade-up from a Kia EV9 GT to a Rivian R1S; it’s an accidental masterclass in how differently East and West approach the EV arms race. It’s about what happens when you leave behind a Korean tech-lounge on wheels for an American backwoods bruiser built in a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois. What happens is… perspective.
“I finally did it. I’m the owner of a beautiful R1S.
I had a Kia EV9 GT that was (very sadly) a total lemon. That SUV was absolutely cursed, HAL9000 meets Christine. So I went big-time to Rivian.
Let me say the things I do miss about the Kia first.
I miss the heads-up display. I never had that before in a vehicle, and it’s really awesome. Very convenient.
I miss the camera-based rearview mirror. I could load the EV9 GT to the hilt in the cargo area and still have a perfect view out of the back window.
I haven’t quite figured out all of the Rivian controls, but I liked the way the EV9 GT displayed various bits of information on the vehicle. Easy to access and scroll through.
I will also say I think Kia had a slightly better sound system, but I need to play a bit with the sound controls on our new Rivian. I will noodle a lot with the controls to see if I can get the sound just right.
I miss the massaging chair on the EV9, even though this feature was only for the driver. I always thought Kia should have added a massage for the passenger, too, at least in the front.
Lastly, I will say I think the Kia had a slightly smoother ride. But again, I haven’t played very much with the controls on the Rivian. The difference isn’t so much that I would go back to a Kia.
That having been said, the Rivian kicks Kia’s ass in every other way. The navigation is way better on the Rivian. The actual screen layout is smarter and easier on the Rivian.
The range on the Rivian is insane. I was in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, on a 280-mile road trip on our first day with this vehicle. I was not worried one bit about my ability to get to a charger despite the multitude of corn fields.
That never happened with our other EV. And as far as I can tell, Rivian doesn’t fake miles per charge much at all. Kia’s “miles remaining” is absolute fiction, in the bad way. Big time.
It is amazing to be on the Tesla Network. I hate Elon Musk with the fire of a thousand suns. I think he is more hype than anything. That dude is no genius.
But you’ve got to give it to the Tesla charging network team, you know, the one he fired? They built the most amazing network of chargers. I am grateful as a Rivian owner to have access to that network.
I think the ride is good so far. Not too much wind noise. I’m still getting used to the button “open door” versus a handle, though. Yes, I know there is an actual physical handle placed in a weird spot. I’m happy with the physical handle. Just in case.
I also want to say that the navigation is dynamite on the Rivian! Much better than what I was used to. I do wish there were more roads available for the self-driving, though. It looks like it’s only the main freeways. Our old vehicle would take a stab at country roads, although you had to watch it pretty closely.
Charging was easy on the Rivian, even on the Tesla charging network. Bang bang boom.
The Rivian R1S vehicle is super spacious. The seats are comfortable. The interior is beautifully designed. The HVAC works beautifully, so much so that you won’t even notice it.
I did splurge for the special sunroof. I’m not entirely sure it’s worth it. But we have it, and I’m happy.
So far, so good.”
The EV9 GT, with its massaging seats, camera mirror, HUD, and softer ride, is built for the tech-forward domestic market in Seoul and the showroom gloss of international prestige. Kia’s approach to luxury leans toward feature saturation, “give them everything,” and let refinement follow. And to Kia’s credit, it largely works. Reddit user abuamiri added context from their own transition: “We miss the HUD, massage front seats, and soft-close doors from our eTron.” Comfort-first, detail-rich, and effortless to operate, until, of course, it isn’t.
Rivian R2… What Is Confirmed (As of mid‑2025)
- Built on a new medium-sized BEV platform – positioned below the R1 series with a projected 0–60 mph time between 3.7 and 4.3 seconds depending on trim; reflects size similar to compact three-row SUVs
- Targeted 300‑mile range with optional 400‑mile Battery Pack – uses latest-generation NMC lithium-ion cells with fast-charging capability over 270 kW
- Stylistic mix of utility and modern design – teaser images show a lower roof but higher ground clearance than average compact SUV, with fold-flat rear seats, all-wheel-drive, and optional roof-rack roof-top tent
- Plans for global availability in 2026–2027 – initial sales focused on the U.S. and Canada, with Europe and Asia to follow by early 2027
Contrast that with Rivian, where luxury feels less like decadence and more like design logic filtered through a Patagonia catalog. Everything serves a purpose. It doesn’t do gratuitous; it does gear. And it makes you want to do things, road trip things. Take the OP’s Indiana experience. Four hundred fifty miles, zero stress.
“I was not worried one bit about my ability to get to a charger despite the multitude of corn fields.”
And while Kia’s “miles remaining” readouts may offer hope, Rivian deals in honesty. That matters more than you’d think. The OP notes Rivian’s range estimates are “insane” in the best way, while Kia’s are “absolute fiction.”
How Rivian Builds Trust
That kind of reliability builds trust, an unspoken contract between driver and machine. Redditor HyperfixChris chimes in with a technical wrinkle:
“You’ve got 22s… harshest riding of the wheel options. 20s with road tires are like riding on a cloud.”
Wheel choice matters, and in an EV, where every watt counts, it affects ride, efficiency, and range. That level of mechanical honesty only deepens the contrast.
There’s a broader industry shift hiding in plain sight here. We are no longer simply comparing vehicle specs; we’re comparing operating systems.
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Traditional manufacturers build cars the way they always have: incrementally better, adding features, refining materials. Startups like Rivian are building ecosystems. Navigation, charging access, OTA updates, these aren’t just features, they’re core identity. That’s why this owner, despite missing a few creature comforts, says plainly: “The Rivian kicks Kia’s ass in every other way.” It’s not rage, it’s realization.
Rivian R1S – Key Competitors to Keep an Eye On
- Tesla Model X – boasts slightly superior acceleration (~3.8 s 0–60), longer dealer footprint, and a more mature charging network
- Mercedes‑Benz EQS SUV – trades off for supreme luxury, interior refinement, and multi‑zone comfort, though its towing and off‑road capability lag behind R1S
- Volvo EX90 – longer range (up to ~300 miles), 3‑row seating with Volvo’s safety-first tech, but rides softer and isn’t geared toward weekend overlanding
- Kia EV9 / Genesis GV90 (later release) – blend of value, interior space, and tech; less bespoke off‑road tooling than Rivia
And here lies the deeper value of stories like these, not in the drama of what went wrong with the old car, but in what the new car makes right. Melodic_Impact_5360, another Rivian forum member, summed it up simply after seeing the OP’s vehicle at a delivery center: “Congratulations!” It’s not just a nod of approval, it’s an acknowledgment that a vehicle switch, especially in the EV world, is about choosing a new kind of lifestyle.
One where you trust your range, your infrastructure, and your machine, even in the heartland.
What this comparison ultimately tells us is that we’re watching the EV segment mature rapidly into its own Cold War of ideologies. Rivian and Kia aren’t battling for the same buyer; they’re courting different worldviews. One values digital convenience and presentation. The other is confident capability and software execution. We’ve seen this before: BMW vs. Lexus, Audi vs. Cadillac. But now, it’s electric. And if these battles continue, we all win.
So yes, the R1S may lack a camera mirror and a built-in massage therapist. But it gave one driver something more important: confidence. Confidence to drive through cornfields and charging deserts alike without blinking. That’s the kind of quiet luxury no brochure will ever promise, but one the Rivian delivered in spades.
Image Sources: Rivian Media Center & Kia Media Center
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.
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Source: torquenews.com
