The R1S (SUV) roof options are an "electrochromic glass (which turns from opaque to transparent on demand), a fixed glass panel, a two-piece removable composite roof and a standard fixed roof," according to a tweet from the official Rivian twitter account. So far, all four roof options haven't been confirmed for the R1T, we can however be sure of the electrochromic glass roof as it was featured on an R1T shown off in New York.
We will offer multiple roof styles including electrochromic glass (which turns from opaque to transparent on demand), a fixed glass panel, a two-piece removable composite roof and a standard fixed roof.
Note how Rivian framed the FAQ question to be non-specific to either EAV, implying the roof options available will be for both. But unfortunately like most of the Rivian information that's available today it lacks details and this roofing answer is no exception.
So as for which one I would choose / vote for, hard to say at this point without more details. For example ...
Are all these options indeed available on both the R1S and R1T? If so, how do they differ? Clearly the R1S roof is larger than the R1T roof.
What's the price for each option (except "standard fixed roof" which I expect to be standard)?
How is the removable roof configured and how will it work? E.g. Does it store itself within the vehicle or does it get left behind? The R1S is a big roof.
Will the fixed glass panel come with a sun screen/shade or will one even be needed?
I've seen rumors that the electrochromic roof could be $7500. If it's true. I think I'm going to get the two-piece removable roof instead. Anyone else change their mind on it?
If anyone else found this 11/2020, this answer changed on Rivian's official FAQ. It now states:
"At launch, both the R1T and the R1S will be available with our all-glass panoramic roof. An open-air removable roof option will be offered mid-2022."
I'd get the sliding sunroof with internal shade. The hot hot hot cold cold cold glass roofs are a pain. And not being able to open up the top with a sunroof on a $50k vehicle, much less a $70k vehicle is crazy. The Hyundai/Kia EV's have the sun roofs. Nissan Ariya does also.
The glass roof is actually much cheaper which is why Tesla went with it initially on the Model 3. It also makes mfg easier as equipment can be loaded from the top. Then they sell it as a "feature" and then sell you the necessary summer shade...smart marketing. For driver it is a useless feature. They should all provide a ball cap for overhead sun in the eyes and internal shade. I almost got the Tesla roof wrapped in body color to "fix it" but the internal sun shade works well.
Is that what they mean by "a two-piece removable composite roof "? If so, that would be my preference too. We get windstorms where tree limbs can come crashing down on your car as you drive, and I would not want to have just glass between me and a tree.
I just googled it and searched the Rivian support site. No recent mentions of options for the roof. Anyone have latest info?
I personally like my glass roof in the I-Pace, it's incredibly effective at filtering infrared and does not get hot (though admittedly I don't live in Phoenix).
But I also like a sliding sun/moon roof, though I've found myself using it (in other cars including an A3 PHEV etron) much less than I thought.
There's no magic for glass roof. It will make car both hotter and colder than a metal roof with typical air gap. The sun roofs have shades to provide that plus ventilation capability to lower energy use vs running AC. The glass roof is kind of Tesla joke on the EV world.
Have the inside of the glass roof panel covered in 5% infra-red rejecting ‘tint’; it helps tremendously in keeping heat out of the cabin and will decrease battery usage 2/2 the A/C having to work so hard keeping the cabin cool.
Experience with Tesla glass roof is you need an inside shield (which Tesla sells) or just cover the glass with body color wrap. That's what I'll likely do on the R1T. White truck with white roof will be the coolest. The glass roof does help with heating the car in winter so if Rivian came up with an inside shield, that would be best. You'd think at these prices, providing a metal roof with sun roof would not have much impact on price and be a popular feature.
I'm wondering if Rivian will offer a retractable roof on the R1S similar to the Sky-One Touch that I currently have in my Jeep Wrangler 4XE. Does anyone have any insight on what the final roof options are going to be for the R1S?
Anyone hear any news on the removable roof? That is definitely my preference over fixed glass roof. I too have a 4xe with power soft top which would seem to be the perfect solution for the rivian r1s.