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When you spend over $90,000 on an electric SUV like the Rivian R1S, you expect to buy new tires at some point. But you probably don’t expect to burn through them in just a year or two. That’s why a post I came across in the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” Facebook group stopped me mid-scroll. It wasn’t about a glitchy app or a rare breakdown, it was about something far more ordinary, and far more frustrating.
Sarah, who owns a 2024 Rivian R1S Dual Motor AWD with 21-inch Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, has already gone through two full sets in just over 21,000 miles. The fronts were shot at 13,700 miles. The rears followed at 21,000. For a family SUV, even one as heavy and powerful as the R1S, that’s pretty extreme.
Here’s how she put it:
“Tire Talk: I have a 2024 R1S Dual Motor AWD with 21” Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires. Front tires were replaced at 13,700 miles, and I just replaced the remaining 2 tires at 21,000 miles. Rivian recommends rotation every 7,500 miles, but the in-vehicle computer/app doesn’t prompt, so I’m just going to set a reminder on my phone for every 6 months. Any other tips on improving tire wear and tear, or alternative tire manufacturers (I’ve heard that Pirelli aren’t that great)?”
Why Heavy EVs Eat Through Tires So Fast
It’s no secret, big electric SUVs are tough on tires. Instant torque, a massive battery pack, and regenerative braking all combine to wear them faster than lighter gas-powered SUVs. The R1S tips the scales at over 7,000 pounds, so every time you accelerate, brake, or take a corner, those tires are carrying a serious load.
And it’s not just the weight. Rivian’s all-wheel-drive system is constantly sending power where it’s needed most, which can cause uneven wear if you’re not rotating often. Add in the temptation to floor it every now and then, because let’s be honest, it’s fun, and you’ve got a recipe for going through rubber much faster than you’d expect.
Even regen braking, which saves you on brake pads, puts extra stress on the front tires. It’s one of those trade-offs most owners don’t think about until they’re staring at a tread depth gauge and realizing the numbers are way too low for the mileage.
We’ve seen plenty of quirks in Rivian ownership before, whether it’s Apple Music forgetting your login every time you start the car or even a lock-up while driving that needed multiple tows. But tires? That’s usually something you can plan for, just not this soon.
Other Owners Weigh In
Sarah’s post drew plenty of attention and some useful comparisons.
Natalie shared her experience:
“I’m at 50K miles on my 20” Pirellis and getting ready to change them out. I only drive in all-purpose mode, have only rotated them 3 times, but did have the alignment done around 30K miles. Mine is a quad motor 2023 R1S.”
That’s more than double Sarah’s mileage, even with fewer rotations. Maybe it’s the wheel size. Maybe it’s the driving style. Or maybe it’s a little bit of both.
Then there’s Bill, who offered a different approach:
“You can set your rotation interval in the maintenance section. I went through Pirellis at 23,000 miles, then another set at 30,000 miles. After that, I got Michelins, rotated them every 3,500–5,000 miles, and they have 40,000 miles on them and are still over 50%.”
That’s a huge difference, and it points to two things that seem to help: rotating more often and maybe ditching the stock Pirellis altogether.
Why Rotation Schedules Make or Break Tire Life
Rivian says to rotate every 7,500 miles. But since there’s no built-in reminder, it’s easy to forget. Sarah’s plan to set a six-month phone reminder is smart, but Bill’s 3,500–5,000-mile rotation schedule really shows how much of a difference it can make.
Because of the R1S’s weight distribution and regen braking, the fronts tend to wear faster. The longer you go between rotations, the more uneven the wear gets, and the sooner you’ll be back at the tire shop.
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If you’re an R1S owner, checking alignment more often is also worth it. Natalie’s 30,000-mile alignment probably helped her get to 50,000 miles before a replacement was needed.
Is It the Pirellis, or Something Else?
A lot of owners think the stock Pirelli Scorpions just aren’t the best match for the R1S. Bill’s results after switching to Michelins seem to back that up. Not only did his new set last longer, but they were still in great shape at 40,000 miles.
And this isn’t the first time we’ve seen owners finding better results after changing parts or components. Range, for example, can vary wildly, like the owner who noticed a 10% drop shortly after getting their Dual Motor R1S. Sometimes, it’s not about the whole car, it’s about the specific setup you’ve got.
Michelin and Continental are the two brands most often mentioned as better long-term options, but they can bring trade-offs in noise or efficiency.
The Role of Driving Modes
Natalie’s use of all-purpose mode might be helping her tires last. Modes that deliver more torque or change suspension behavior, like Sport or certain off-road settings, can increase wear without you realizing it.
For daily driving, sticking to the more balanced modes could be the easiest no-cost way to add thousands of miles to your tires.
And honestly, it’s not just about tires. We’ve covered cases where Rivian’s went from perfect to problem-child overnight, like the owner whose R1S was flawless for 2,000 miles before a breakdown left it undriveable. Gentle use often pays off in more ways than one.
The Cost Reality
High-performance all-seasons for the R1S don’t come cheap, usually $1,200 to $1,800 a set. Burn through them every 15,000 miles and you’re looking at $5,000 to $7,000 in tire costs over five years, not including rotations or alignments.
That’s the kind of expense that can chip away at the fuel savings of going electric, especially for anyone who doesn’t have home charging and is already paying more to juice up on the road.
It’s part of the ownership picture that people don’t always think about, much like how one owner ended up trading their Gen1 R1S for a Gen2 and somehow came out ahead, getting more than they paid. Not every surprise is bad, but this one hurts the wallet.
What Sarah Can Try Next
Here’s what came out of the discussion, and what might help other owners too:
- Rotate every 4,000–5,000 miles, not 7,500.
- Keep an eye on alignment, especially if wear is uneven.
- Consider switching to Michelins or Continentals.
- Stick to less aggressive driving modes for everyday use.
- Set your own reminders until Rivian adds one in the app.
Bigger Picture
Tire wear might not make headlines like a big recall or a drivetrain failure, but it’s one of those day-to-day ownership realities that can make or break your experience. The right habits and tire choice can save you thousands. Ignore it, and you might be shopping for new rubber before your next oil change would have been due in a gas SUV.
Moral of the Story
Owning a Rivian means enjoying all the power and comfort you want, while accepting that it’s harder on certain parts. Get ahead of the wear with better rotation habits, smarter mode choices, and maybe a different tire brand, and your wallet will thank you.
What about you?
How long did your stock Rivian tires last? Have you found a setup or schedule that works better? Drop your experience in the comments, I’m curious to see if there’s a clear winner here.
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.
Image source: Rivian R1S Press Room
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Source: torquenews.com
