The Rivian R1S isn’t just another electric SUV; it’s a statement. From the moment you lay eyes on it, you realize this is a vehicle designed from the ground up to be different. After spending considerable time with the R1S, including a memorable trip to Big Bear before the heavy snowfalls, it’s clear that Rivian has delivered a truly exceptional machine. This SUV doesn’t just make life easy, it elevates the everyday drive into something genuinely special.
Striking Design and Road Presence: A Head-Turning Exterior
Rivian’s fresh start as a company is immediately apparent in the R1S’s design. They weren’t constrained by legacy designs or outdated platforms, allowing them to create something truly unique. The R1S boasts a distinctive style that’s both modern and approachable, setting it apart in a crowded SUV market.
Unique and Appealing Aesthetics
The R1S is arguably one of the most attractive SUVs available today. Its proportions are spot-on, and the detailing is thoughtfully executed. The front fascia, with its signature stadium headlights, presents a friendly and almost cute face, a welcome departure from the increasingly aggressive and intimidating designs prevalent in the truck and SUV segment. The broad fenders and smooth body panels contribute to a robust yet refined appearance.
Size and Dimensions Compared to Competitors
In terms of size, the Rivian R1S is comparable to the Land Rover Defender 110, measuring 200.8 inches in length and 77.3 inches in height. It’s slightly more compact than a Chevrolet Tahoe. The R1S’s wheelbase is 121.1 inches, which is shorter than its R1T pickup sibling by 14.7 inches, and overall, the R1S is 16.3 inches shorter in length. This carefully considered size makes it maneuverable in urban environments while still offering ample interior space.
Premium and Practical Interior: A Cabin of Comfort and Innovation
Stepping inside the Rivian R1S reveals an interior that is both luxurious and incredibly practical. Rivian has prioritized quality and sustainability, using premium vegan leather, genuine metal accents, and beautiful open-pore ash wood trim throughout the cabin. The design is modern and flowing, particularly the dashboard, creating a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere.
High-Quality Materials and Design
The driving position in the R1S is excellent, offering a commanding view of the road. The door panels are ergonomically sculpted, providing comfortable resting places for elbows. The standard panoramic glass roof enhances the sense of spaciousness, extending all the way to the third row. While some might miss a sunshade, the tinted glass effectively manages sunlight and heat. Opting for the lighter Ocean Coast white or Forest Edge green interior color schemes is highly recommended to further enhance the cabin’s visual appeal.
Standard features are abundant and cater to passenger comfort and convenience. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and second-row seats, a high-fidelity 19-speaker Meridian sound system, eight USB-C ports, multiple power outlets, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity are all included. Unique touches like a removable Bluetooth speaker integrated into the center console and an onboard air compressor in the rear cargo area add to the R1S’s versatility. While the absence of massaging seats is a minor omission, the overall interior package is exceptionally well-equipped.
Technology and Infotainment System: Seamless and Intuitive
The R1S features a prominent 15.6-inch center touchscreen that serves as the command center for most vehicle functions. The interface is responsive and user-friendly, and software glitches that may have been present in earlier models seem to be resolved through consistent over-the-air updates.
While Rivian’s infotainment system doesn’t currently support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and likely won’t in the future according to CEO RJ Scaringe, the native system is impressively capable. The navigation is excellent, and integrated apps like Spotify, TuneIn, and Tidal provide ample entertainment options.
The infotainment system is powered by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, resulting in stunning graphics. The system renders detailed and animated visuals of the R1S, even reflecting the specific configuration and drive mode selected. Navigating menus is straightforward, and there’s a wealth of vehicle information available through the trip computer and performance pages. However, the absence of a customizable homescreen for displaying multiple app widgets simultaneously is a minor drawback. Furthermore, climate vent, steering wheel, and mirror adjustments are all controlled via the touchscreen, which some users may find less convenient than physical controls.
Spaciousness and Practicality: Designed for Passengers and Cargo
The Rivian R1S excels in practicality. Thanks to a large power-operated front trunk (frunk) and a generous rear cargo area, accommodating six passengers and their luggage is easily achievable without compromising visibility. Even third-row occupants enjoy sufficient headroom and legroom, along with dedicated climate controls.
The second and third rows fold nearly flat, maximizing cargo space when needed. The split tailgate is a thoughtful feature that simplifies loading and unloading, and with a 500-pound weight capacity, it’s perfect for tailgating or as a work surface. While the R1S doesn’t have the R1T’s gear tunnel, both the cargo area and frunk offer covered storage compartments. Thoughtful storage solutions abound throughout the cabin, including armrests, cup holders, and cubbies for third-row passengers, pockets on door cards and seatbacks, and hidden compartments beneath the front seats.
Performance and Driving Dynamics: Power, Poise, and Capability
The Rivian R1S delivers an exceptional driving experience, blending exhilarating performance with refined handling, both on and off the road.
Powerful Electric Performance and Handling
The quad-motor R1S boasts an impressive 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful SUVs on the market, second only to the Tesla Model X Plaid. Acceleration is blistering, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3 seconds. The quad-motor setup enables sophisticated torque vectoring, dynamically distributing power to each wheel for optimal traction and handling.
The R1S’s driving experience is characterized by smooth and silent operation. Rivian has opted to amplify the natural whirring sounds of the electric motors rather than introduce artificial engine noise. The R1S is equally enjoyable for relaxed city driving and spirited cornering. Regenerative braking allows for effective one-pedal driving, and the Conserve drive mode deactivates the rear motors for increased efficiency and a calmer driving experience.
Off-Road Capabilities and Features
For those seeking adventure beyond paved roads, the R1S is remarkably capable. An optional All-Terrain Upgrade package includes 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires, underbody shields, and a full-size spare tire, a worthwhile investment for maximizing off-road potential. These all-terrain tires feature an aggressive tread pattern and are snow-rated, eliminating the need for tire chains in snowy conditions and providing confident traction in various off-road scenarios. While the all-terrain tires do slightly reduce the EPA-estimated range to 289 miles compared to 321 miles with the standard 21-inch wheels, the enhanced capability is a compelling trade-off for adventurous drivers.
Rivian has continuously improved the R1S’s driving dynamics through over-the-air updates, including the addition of a Snow drive mode. This mode enhances winter driving by softening pedal response and reducing regenerative braking to minimize wheelspin, resulting in improved stability and control in snowy and icy conditions. Regardless of the drive mode, the R1S feels planted and secure, making it an ideal vehicle for navigating challenging winter environments.
Ride Comfort and NVH
Standard air suspension provides the R1S with over six inches of adjustable ride height and automatic leveling for towing. In its highest setting, the R1S boasts an impressive 14.9 inches of ground clearance, exceeding many traditional off-road vehicles. Variable active dampers offer two stiffness settings, and an electrohydraulic roll control system replaces traditional anti-roll bars, effectively minimizing body roll both on and off-road.
Despite its near 7,000-pound curb weight, the R1S feels surprisingly agile and responsive. The electronic power steering is well-tuned, providing excellent feedback. However, the R1S’s ride quality isn’t without minor drawbacks. Over rough road surfaces and expansion joints, the ride can become somewhat choppy, exhibiting occasional floatiness or porpoising, a characteristic less pronounced in the R1T pickup.
On the positive side, the R1S is well-insulated and quiet at highway speeds, even with the all-terrain tires. Wind noise is minimal, contributing to a comfortable and serene cabin environment.
Range and Charging
The Rivian R1S offers accurate and slightly conservative range estimates. The navigation system intelligently guides drivers to charging stations and can optimize routes for energy efficiency. Utilizing a DC fast charger, the R1S’s 135kWh battery pack can gain approximately 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes, and charging from 10 percent to 80 percent takes around 45 minutes. Real-world range performance is commendable, even in cold weather conditions, with minimal range loss observed overnight in freezing temperatures.
Driver Assistance and Technology: Safety and Convenience Features
Rivian equips the R1S with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features and innovative technology to enhance safety and convenience.
Driver Plus Suite and Safety Features
The standard Driver Plus suite includes adaptive cruise control with steering assist, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warnings and lane-keep assist, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, trailer assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. These systems generally function effectively, although the Highway Assist feature, which manages steering, acceleration, and braking on designated freeways, can be overly sensitive in certain situations. Parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system are standard, but the image quality of the camera system could be improved.
Gear Guard and Security
The R1S incorporates a Tesla-like Gear Guard sentry function, utilizing motion-activated cameras to monitor and record activity around the vehicle, saving videos locally. The system features a playful Sasquatch mascot and offers a valuable security feature. Rivian emphasizes that Gear Guard videos are not shared with the company or third parties, and owners can further enhance privacy by restricting location data.
Mobile App and Convenience Features
Rivian’s smartphone app provides seamless control over numerous vehicle functions, including locking and unlocking, checking charge status, preconditioning the climate control, and sending navigation routes to the infotainment system. Cabin preconditioning is particularly useful in cold weather, as the R1S’s flush door handles can sometimes freeze shut. The key fob, designed in a carabiner style, is visually appealing but the buttons can be difficult to read in low light, and phone-as-a-key functionality offers a more convenient alternative for many users.
Market Position and Competition: Standing Out in a Growing EV Segment
The Rivian R1S occupies a unique position in the electric SUV market, offering a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and off-road capability.
Pricing and Value
The quad-motor R1S starts at $93,800, including destination charges. Optional features like the All-Terrain Upgrade and premium paint finishes can increase the price, as seen in the $99,150 as-tested price of the reviewed vehicle. Rivian is expanding its R1S lineup with dual-motor variants, offering a more accessible entry point. The dual-motor R1S starts at $79,800 and provides a range of approximately 260 miles with a smaller battery pack. A larger 340-mile range battery is available for an additional cost, and a Performance dual-motor model offers enhanced power and acceleration.
Competitive Landscape and Advantages of R1S
Currently, the Rivian R1S faces limited direct competition. While electric SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, and GMC are on the horizon, they are either not yet available or occupy different market segments. The BMW iX, while competitively priced, lacks the R1S’s third-row seating and off-road prowess, and its styling is polarizing. The Mercedes EQS SUV, while offering a third row, is significantly more expensive and luxury-focused. The upcoming Kia EV9 promises to be a more affordable three-row EV SUV, but it is still some time away from release and is expected to offer more modest performance.
The Rivian R1S distinguishes itself through its remarkable combination of on-road performance, off-road capability, and thoughtful design. As a debut vehicle from a new automaker, it is exceptionally impressive. With ongoing development and future model expansions planned, Rivian is poised to solidify its position as a leader in the electric vehicle market.
Conclusion: The Reigning King of the Electric SUV Mountain
The Rivian R1S is more than just an electric SUV; it’s a comprehensively engineered and beautifully designed vehicle that excels in virtually every area. From its striking exterior and premium interior to its exhilarating performance and genuine off-road capability, the R1S sets a new benchmark in the SUV segment. While the arrival of competitors is inevitable, the Rivian R1S has established itself as a class-leading electric SUV, truly deserving its place as the “king of the mountain.”
Photography by Daniel Golson for The Verge
See More:
