Canon rushed out the R so they could develop and sell RF lenses - then to catch up with a proper mirrorless body. It has taken longer than expected.
I totally agree with the fact that the R was slightly rushed. However Canon did not really had much choice, they had to get their a mirrorless FF out.
Sony was getting pretty visible, especially with the a9 and Nikon was making a lot of teasing and noise with their "In Poursuit Of Light"
trailer .
As a result they needed something that was close to the level of a 5D in term of sensor quality rather than a 6D (Yes lots of people cried "No IBIS, No dual card")...
Given how long it takes them to release the R5, I think it was also a good idea to get the R out early, I do think a few photographers (& instragamers/influencers) would have switch boat otherwise...
Personally, I started on mirrorless and coming from the m50, the R was a big upgrade in my case, and with update 1.4 it got the eye-AF pretty close to Sony level. So I have absolutely no regret for having gone to "version 1". If canon had not released the R, I might have gone Sony (I'm really glad I didn't).
Also getting the R out to develop great lenses and then get pro bodies out is IMHO a better approach than what Nikon did: great body but no glass.