I Test Drove the Rivian Commercial Van – Here's My Honest Take
Hey everyone, DennisCW here! If you're into electric vehicles or just love checking out innovative trucks, you're in for a treat. I recently got exclusive access to test drive the Rivian Commercial Van (EDV 500), the one designed in collaboration with Amazon. These aren't your average delivery vans – they're sleek, powerful, and packed with features. I did a full walkaround, hopped inside, and took it for a spin around the block. Let's break it down!
Quick Walkaround: Exterior and First Impressions
Right off the bat, this van screams modern EV design. The Pixar-inspired exterior (yep, that's intentional for that 'joyful' Amazon delivery vibe) looks fun and futuristic, not your typical boxy cargo hauler. The sliding door mechanism is buttery smooth – it glides open effortlessly, and there's a convenient step for easy access.
At $79,900 for the EDV 500 (or $83,900 for the larger EDV 700, which is 30 inches longer and 7 inches wider), it's premium pricing, but the build quality feels worth it. These are fleet-focused, but more on buying options later.
Inside the Van: Space, Tech, and Comfort
Stepping inside, the spacious cargo area blew me away. You could easily fit a full living room setup, bed, or custom camper conversion. Rivian's upfit partners are already working on wild builds for schools, mobile medical units, and more – if you can dream it, they can probably build it.
Key interior highlights:
- 360-Degree Cameras: Swipe up on the screen for a full surround view – Tesla doesn't even have this yet!
- Power Doors: Sit in the back, hit a button, and the door closes automatically. Super handy.
- Jump Seat: Flexible seating for passengers.
- Dash and Mirrors: Massive adjustable mirrors on both sides, a clean Rivian UI, and huge comfort-focused seats.
- Amazon-Specific Camera: Likely for driver attentiveness in delivery fleets.
The back is a blank canvas for customization, perfect for businesses or adventure seekers (though minimum orders apply – more below).
Test Drive: How Does It Drive?
Time to hit the road! No key fob needed – just brake and shift into drive. Acceleration? Peppy for a big van. It's no slouch off the line, though exact 0-60 times aren't fleet-focused specs (the sales rep joked they rarely get asked!).
Driving Notes:
- Strong Regen Braking: One-pedal driving is aggressive, especially in a heavy vehicle like this. Takes some getting used to but efficient.
- Smooth Ride: Handles city streets confidently, with responsive steering.
- No Sport Mode: Keeps it practical for commercial use.
We punched it on a straightaway – it moves! Overall, it's surprisingly fun to drive despite its size.
Pricing, Availability, and Who Can Buy?
This isn't for solo van-lifers yet:
- Minimum Order: 5 units for businesses (LLCs or sole proprietors qualify).
- Purchase: Buy outright or lease through Rivian financial partners (~$1,000/month per van, depending on credit).
- Charging: NACS port means theoretical Tesla Supercharger access, but Rivian doesn't promote it for commercial vehicles to avoid any network drama.
Heard a funny story: Someone tried flipping one on Bring a Trailer for cheap, but it didn't sell due to reserve.
Final Thoughts: Game-Changer for Fleets?
The Rivian EDV is a beast – spacious, tech-loaded, and drives like a premium EV should. It's tailor-made for Amazon's 100,000-unit commitment but opens doors for creative businesses. If you're in logistics, upfitting, or fleet sales, this could revolutionize your operations.
Personal wishlist? I'd love a consumer version for camper van adventures. Until then, fleets get first dibs.
What do you think – worth the investment for your business? Drop a comment below, smash that like button if you're team Rivian, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more EV test drives and reviews. Check out the full video linked in the description!
Drive safe, DennisCW
[Watch the full test drive on YouTube]
