> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://spyglass.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A Nice Looking Electric Car - URL: https://spyglass.org/rivian-looks-nicer-than-tesla/ - Published: 2024-03-17T10:06:57.000Z - Updated: 2024-03-17T10:15:24.000Z - Author: M.G. Siegler - Tags: rivian, tesla, design, tech, apple car, cars [Up close with the Rivian R2: Even better in-person \[Gallery\]Rivian brought its brand new R2 electric SUV to Austin, Texas this week for one of its first public show…![](https://electrek.co/wp-content/themes/ninetofive/dist/svg/electrek-e.svg)ElectrekChance Miller![](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/IMG_2602.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)](https://electrek.co/2024/03/15/up-close-with-the-rivian-r2-gallery/?ref=spyglass.org) I casually mentioned [in the newsletter last week](https://spyglass.org/oscars-2024/) that the thing that has always turned me off from buying a Tesla was the build quality – particularly of the interior.[1](#footnote) I've been in dozens (hundreds, thanks to Uber?) of Teslas, and have even gone so far as to test-drive one at a dealership years ago, I always come away with the same feeling: electric is awesome and unquestionably where this is all going quickly, but my god this thing feels tacked-together. Everything I've seen from Rivian, from the R1 to now the R2 and [R3](https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1765806281225646112?ref=spyglass.org), looks to be the opposite. And these pictures would seem to confirm that. > Very [impressed with the interior](https://twitter.com/chancehmiller/status/1768697348773855510?s=61&t=OMB3AHNCCKv94gXre2-e7w&ref=spyglass.org). Even though I couldn’t touch it, it certainly looked more luxurious and has more character than my Model Y. The materials aren’t as nice as the R1T/R1S, but that’s to be expected given the price differences. Not being able to *touch* it is a large caveat of course, since "feel" is an important aspect of "look and feel", but still, the "look" here is compelling enough. Teslas, to me, are *too* minimal in their design aesthetic. Rivian actually makes decisions. You may not agree, but you're also not going to be left feeling like you're driving a generic car.[2](#footnote) Of course, the trade-off here is that it may be incredibly hard for Rivian to continue to scale. Some early Tesla quality issues were [clearly directly related](https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-criticisms-accurate-tesla-build-quality?ref=spyglass.org) to trying to keep up with demand. And the R2 machines aren't even shipping until 2026\. Still, this all just looks great. Add in CarPlay – [we get it, but come on, Rivian](https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/07/rivian-carplay-support/?ref=spyglass.org) – and I'm sold.[3](footnote) --- 1 Plenty of points about the build quality of the exterior though as well -- at times it has just been so bespoke that it was a crapshoot if yours looked good or like, well, [this](https://www.carscoops.com/2023/04/tesla-model-s-plaid-buyer-rants-about-poor-build-quality/?ref=spyglass.org). 2 To which you may point to the [Cybertruck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla%5FCybertruck?ref=spyglass.org) as a counterpoint. Well, it's certainly a look. I personally find it comically ugly. Like a joke that went too far. And yet still, in a way, almost un-designed! Like a block of steel that hasn't been molded. Or something you might have found in [the Super Nintendo version of *Star Fox* in 1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star%5FFox%5F%281993%5Fvideo%5Fgame%29?ref=spyglass.org). 3 Perhaps with Apple now [formally out of the car business](https://spyglass.org/tag/apple-car/), they'll attempt to forge even deeper partnerships with car makers. Rivian would sure seem like a great one to do that with...