I have pre-orders in for the Rivian R1S, Cybertruck and Hummer EV SUV. My use case in retirement living in Colorado will be: going to the ski resorts, an hours drive from my remote house into town each way, and camping in the vehicle on trails and trailheads up in the mountains. My vehicle will be charged by a large solar array at my house mainly. Really only road trips will I have to use an EV charging station.
Cybertruck was the first order.
Pros:
1. I like to off-road and having a stainless steel exterior that basically requires zero maintenance and no clear-coat to get scratched up is amazing.
2. "Armor glass" means more security from break ins while out on the trail and no yearly Colorado broken windshields.
3. I'm kinda a "prepper" type guy,; it has the most range and security for a SHTF situation.
4. Tesla is the furthest along with regard to "autopilot/FSD" setups.
5. Easiest charging on road trips with Superchargers (currently have a Model Y Performance).
6. Will likely easily have the lowest coefficient of drag and longest range (I have Tri-Motor reserved which will likely be converted into a quad-motor). Speculated 200 kWh+ battery pack.
7. In an emergency, I want to be able to have the vehicle be a home battery storage. There has to be sufficient power output via 120/240v to re-charge my home batteries if needed. The Tesla appears to have the greatest capacity for that from what I've read. Although exact specs unknown as of now.
4. 4-motor drive now should give great off-roading ability, although it will have the worst break-over.
Cons:
1. It's by far the longest, making it the worst for tight trails. Although the rear steer will help some.
2. By looking at recent drone photo's., there appears to be NO cabin-to-vault (bed) pass through. This unfortunately is basically a deal-breaker for me and my camping setup. I don't want to get a truck bed camper. I want to be able to camp with the vehicles climate control and just be able to drive away and not have to get out of the vehicle to camp.
3. May not have ventilated seats like my Y. That would suck.
4. Windshield wiper looks to be laughable, but to counter that, looks like removable side mirror may be a thing.
Rivian R1S (5-seater):
Pros:
1. Apparently the largest interior cargo volume of all three. (CT's pickup bed doesn't count for my use).
2. Decent range with Max Pack, although timing and how the R1S may be affected by the Max Pack is unknown. Apparently around 480 Wh/mi.
3. Air compressor on board for off-roading.
4. Even at a beastly 7K+ lbs, it may actually be the lightest.
5. Looks the most "traditional" and would blend in. Also sort of a con.
6. 4-motor off-roading.
7. Not locked out of my preferred color (Forest Green).
Cons:
1. Pretty exterior to easily scratch up off-roading and clean.
2. Only 120v/12 AMP plug. While that's quite low, it still may suffice to slowly charge my home batteries in an emergency.
3. No off-road/underbelly cameras. It would really be nice not to have spotters, as that duty gets old really fast.
4. No Tesla SC network (that change details still forthcoming).
5. Standard windshield looks easy to crack in Colorado.
Hummer EV3X SUV:
Pros:
1. Removable roof. Really is a great feature for nice days. Extends comping mood possibilities.
2. Off-road cameras galore.
3. Has the most interesting UI run off the Unreal Engine. Looks like something out of Battlestar Galactica. I know someone posted it looks cheesy, but IMO it's cooler than the standard boring black text on white background you get with Tesla/Rivian. I like unique things.
4. Best looking exterior. Especially in the Moonshot Green satin paint, once again I like unique things.
5. Shortest length + 4-wheel steer may make it the most nimble off-road. Although it's much wider than the others, so some of that may be negated.
6. Supposedly has a 240v outlet possibility. From GM: "Hummer EV SUV can jump charge another electric vehicle at 240v/25A/6kW and power a variety of equipment and accessories at 120v/25A/3kW.”
Cons:
1. 9K+ lbs. Like geez, really? Just to put that into perspective, that is heavier than a dually diesel full size pickup. That's just crazy inefficient weight. Worse for off-roading too. Sink in soft surfaces. I suspect GM went with the battery "modules" so that they can easily be replaced if one goes bad and they don't have to replace the whole battery pack. But that means two "layers" of battery storage, leading to crazy weight. Because of this, the battery also is noticeably thicker than Tesla's and Rivian's.
2. Range; with the 20 module pack and 176 kWh, including the off-road pack, we are talking like 270 mile range. That is just, bad. Like bad bad. Like 700 Wh/mi once you take into account battery reserve. Would be pretty terrible road trip vehicle and charging stop duration much longer and electricity cost noticeably higher.
3. No Tesla SC network (that change details still forthcoming).
4. Being restricted from the Moonshot Green satin paint because of being a regular EV3X order and not Edition 1 pisses me off. If I'm spending $110K+ on a vehicle, I want it exactly how I want it. The other plain colors don't look as good on the vehicle.
5. Pretty exterior to easily scratch up off-roading and clean.
6. Standard windshield looks easy to crack in Colorado.
Those are my basic thoughts for my needs. The Rivian is the safe bet. Out of 10, this is how I rank the likelihood of purchase:
Rivian R1S: 9
Hummer EV SUV: 6
Tesla CT: 3
Anything I've missed when it comes to off-road/camping/road trips?
