This is a heretical comment that will likely get me burned at the stake in this group...but in light of the possible tax changes, Rivian's production schedule and some issues with the infotainment features (at least based on the limited information available to date), I'm all the sudden very interested in the upcoming Grand Cherokee 4xe. Before you start flaming me, let me attempt to justify. I use my vehicle for two things and I can only afford a single vehicle to serve both needs (my wife has her own car and we don't have space or budget for a "spare" car sitting around):
1. commuting about 15 miles round trip daily to and from work, and
2. driving hundreds of miles through the mountains with gear, kid and dogs to ski, raft (pulling a trailer), camp, hike, off-road and generally adventure in the mountain west.
My interest in the R1S is driven primarily by my guilt over driving an over-powered ICE for use case #1, commuting to and from work. In addition, my office offers free electric vehicle charging, and free "gas" is obviously attractive. Secondarily I love the R1S's looks and supposed capabilities, but have become worried that it really won't serve use case #2 very well. CO winters in the mountains are very cold and very hilly; skiing requires constant interaction with both. Pulling a trailer up the mountains, even in the summer, seems likely to absolutely kill usable range and most rafting locations are fairly remote where charging infrastructure is non-existent or in its infancy. Therefore I must have the R1S max pack for it to even be feasible, and still not sure the vehicle would really do what I need. Further, as many have noted, the R1S with max pack probably won't be available for several more years unless things change pretty dramatically in the coming months. Not sure I can justify driving my current ICE for that long, and even if I did, not sure the R1S would really satisfy all of my use cases. And now the R1S probably won't qualify for tax incentive after this year either...ugh!
The GC 4xe, on the other hand, will completely satisfy use case #1 while still giving me ability and flexibility with regard to use case #2, and would still qualify for the tax credit under the proposed new rules. I could easily get to and from work and do other around town errands in the 4xe's pure electric mode, and would be able to take advantage of the "free gas" on offer at my office. Plus I wouldn't have any more guilt about firing up my hulking V-8 every morning. Will it be as fast, fun, unique or "cool," as the R1S...no, of course not, but I generally try to sideline those thoughts when making $50-$90k financial decisions. Just a lot of factors beginning to add up against Rivian, which is sad because in concept, I really love this vehicle. Please someone convince me I'm wrong and I should hold out for the R1S...