The Rivian R1S is a three-row electric SUV built for families who want real off-road capability without giving up everyday comfort. It seats seven, tows up to 7,700 lbs, and starts at approximately $75,900. For 2026, Rivian expands the lineup with more motor and battery configurations than ever before, giving buyers a wider range of range, performance, and price to choose from. MotoPickers dug into all of it so you don’t have to.
MotoPickers Rating
The R1S does things no other three-row electric SUV can match right now. Up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, a wading depth of over 43 inches, and a 140 kWh battery in the Max Pack configurations make this one of the most capable adventure vehicles on the market, electric or otherwise. The Quad-Motor trim puts out 1,025 hp and gives each wheel its own motor for independent torque control — that’s a level of off-road precision most trucks can’t touch.
Where the R1S stumbles is in the tech department, and the omission is hard to overlook at this price point. With no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on offer, buyers who live in Apple or Google ecosystems will feel that gap every day — a real frustration in a vehicle that starts at $75,900 and climbs past $115,000 at the top. Rivian’s own infotainment system works, but it doesn’t fill the void left by those absent integrations.
This vehicle is built for buyers who want a capable, premium electric SUV and are willing to commit to Rivian’s ecosystem to get it.
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 9.6 |
| Comfort | 7.8 |
| Technology | 5.8 |
| Value | 5.5 |
| Practicality | 7.6 |
What’s New / Updates Over Previous Version
The biggest change for 2026 is how many ways you can now configure the R1S. Rivian has expanded the lineup to seven distinct motor and battery combinations, running from the entry Dual-Motor Standard Pack all the way up to the Quad-Motor Max Pack. That gives buyers a much better shot at finding a setup that fits their budget and range needs, rather than picking from just a handful of options.
Charging hardware and software have also been updated for broader DC fast-charging compatibility, which is worth knowing if long road trips are part of your plan. Range estimates have been revised across the lineup too. For the full breakdown of what each configuration costs and what you get, check the Trim Guide below. Power figures and range numbers are covered in detail under Power and Performance.
Competitors
The Tesla Model X is the most direct competitor, offering three-row seating and similar electric performance with a more mature Supercharger network. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV overlaps on price in the upper trims and leans harder into luxury than off-road capability. The Cadillac Escalade IQ targets buyers who want maximum interior space and a more traditional full-size SUV feel. The BMW iX is worth a cross-shop on price and technology, though it’s a two-row vehicle. The Kia EV9 comes in thousands of dollars cheaper and packages well for families who don’t need the R1S’s off-road credentials.
Exterior Spotlight
The R1S has a look that’s hard to mistake for anything else. The flat hood, squared-off wheel arches, and upright greenhouse give it a purposeful, almost utilitarian shape that still reads as premium. It’s wide and tall without being bloated, and the flush door handles and clean body sides keep it from looking overdone.
Color Options
Rivian offers nine exterior colors for the R1S: Glacier White, LA Silver, El Cap Granite, Midnight, Limestone, Forest Green, Rivian Blue, Canyon Red, and Storm Blue. The earthy tones, El Cap Granite, Limestone, and Forest Green, suit the R1S’s outdoor character especially well. Midnight and Rivian Blue read as more urban. Canyon Red makes a statement if you want the R1S to stand out in a parking lot rather than blend into a trailhead.
Wheel Options
The R1S is available with 20-inch, 21-inch, or 22-inch alloy wheels depending on trim. The 20-inch wheels give you a taller tire sidewall, which absorbs trail chop and pothole impacts better on daily drives. The 22-inch wheels look sharper and fill the arches more aggressively, but you’ll feel more of the road on rough pavement. If you plan to take the R1S off-road regularly, the 20-inch setup is the practical choice.
Interior Analysis
The R1S cabin is clean and purposeful. Rivian uses a lot of flat surfaces, hidden storage, and physical controls where they matter most. It doesn’t try to look like a luxury European SUV, and that’s fine. It has its own identity.
Features
The 15.6-inch touchscreen sits in the center of the dash and handles most of the vehicle’s functions. It’s large enough to use without squinting, and the interface is laid out logically for common tasks like navigation and climate. Rivian’s own navigation system is built in, which matters because the R1S doesn’t support phone mirroring through CarPlay or Google’s Auto platform on any trim. If you rely on Google Maps or Apple Maps through your phone, you’ll be using Bluetooth audio and your phone’s screen separately. That’s a real daily inconvenience at this price.
Wireless charging is standard across the lineup, so your phone stays topped up without hunting for a cable. Up front, there are two USB-C ports. Rear passengers have access to six USB-C ports, which is genuinely useful on a road trip with kids who all have devices to charge. There’s also a 120V household outlet, so you can plug in a laptop or a small appliance on a camping trip.
The 12.3-inch digital driver display sits behind the wheel and shows speed, range, and navigation prompts clearly. The standard Rivian Elevation 10-speaker audio system handles highway listening well. The Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor Ascent trims step up to an 18-speaker Rivian Premium Audio system with Dolby Atmos, which is a noticeable improvement for music on long drives.
Comfort
Front seats in the R1S are wide and supportive, with 41.4 inches of legroom, enough that even tall drivers won’t feel cramped on a two-hour commute. Headroom up front is 41.0 inches, so there’s plenty of clearance even with a hat on. The heated steering wheel and heated front seats are available across the lineup. Ventilated front seats come on the Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor Ascent trims, which you’ll appreciate on summer road trips.
The second row has 36.6 inches of legroom, which is comfortable for adults on most trips. Hip room in the second row measures 58.0 inches across, so three adults can sit without elbowing each other. Rear headroom is 40.5 inches, which is good for a vehicle with a panoramic glass roof overhead.
The third row is best suited for kids or shorter adults on shorter trips. It’s not a place where a six-foot adult will want to spend three hours, but for school runs and around-town use it works fine.
Climate control covers front and rear zones, and the panoramic fixed glass roof brings in a lot of light without adding a sunburn risk. The adaptive air suspension smooths out most road imperfections before they reach the cabin, and the overall ride quality on the highway is composed and quiet.
Cargo
Behind the second row, the R1S offers 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s enough for two large rolling suitcases, a week’s worth of groceries, and a medium-sized dog crate side by side. Fold the second and third rows flat and you get 105.8 cubic feet total, which is enough to sleep two adults in the back. That’s something Rivian buyers actually do.
The cargo floor is flat when the seats are folded, which makes loading awkward items like bikes, lumber, or camping gear much easier. There’s also under-floor storage in the cargo area, useful for keeping charging cables, recovery gear, or valuables out of sight.
The frunk adds another 11.1 cubic feet up front. That’s roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase, and it’s a clean, waterproof space that’s great for muddy boots or wet gear you don’t want in the cabin. The liftgate opens manually with no hands-free option, so you’ll need a free hand to pop it. That’s a noticeable omission when you’re carrying groceries or trail gear.
The R1S can tow up to 7,700 lbs, which covers a large boat trailer, a mid-size travel trailer, or a loaded utility trailer without issue.
Power and Performance
The R1S lineup covers a wide range of outputs, from a capable 533 hp dual-motor setup to a 1,025 hp quad-motor configuration. Every version uses all-wheel drive and a single-speed direct-drive transmission.
Engine Specs
Every R1S uses an electric powertrain with a single-speed direct-drive transmission, meaning there are no gear shifts and power goes straight to the wheels from a standing stop. The base Dual-Motor Standard Pack and Dual-Motor Large Pack both produce 533 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. The Performance Dual-Motor trims step up to 665 hp and 829 lb-ft.
The Tri-Motor Max Pack Ascent adds a third motor for 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, with one motor on the front axle and two on the rear. The four-motor Max Pack Ascent puts a motor at each wheel, producing 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. That four-motor setup allows the vehicle to send different amounts of power to each individual wheel independently, which is what makes it so capable in low-traction situations.
Battery options span three sizes: Standard Pack, Large Pack, and Max Pack. The 140 kWh Max Pack is the largest and supports the longest range. The R1S accepts up to 220 kW DC fast charging through its NACS port, and the onboard charger handles up to 11.5 kW on Level 2.
Performance Data (0-60)
The base Dual-Motor R1S reaches 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds. That’s quick enough that merging onto a highway never feels like a question. You have more than enough power to slot into a gap in traffic without hesitation. The single-speed direct drive means the power is always there immediately, with no waiting for a downshift or a turbo to spool up.
The Performance Dual-Motor trims sharpen that response further, and the Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor configurations are in a different category entirely. The Quad-Motor’s 1,025 hp makes highway passing feel almost casual. A press of the accelerator and you’re past a semi before you’ve thought much about it.
One-pedal driving is available and works well in city traffic. Set to High regenerative braking, you can drive most urban routes without touching the brake pedal. On the highway, Standard or Low regen modes let the vehicle coast more naturally. The transition between regen modes is smooth, and most drivers settle on a preference within the first week.
Fuel Economy
The Dual-Motor Standard Pack is rated at around 86 MPGe combined, which translates to roughly 258 miles of range on a full charge. The Large Pack and Max Pack configurations are expected to offer more range. The Dual-Motor Large Pack is rated at approximately 93 MPGe combined. Cold weather, highway speeds above 70 mph, and running the climate system hard can reduce real-world range by 20–30% from the rated figure.
At 220 kW DC fast charging, the R1S can go from 10% to 80% in about 34 minutes. That’s a reasonable lunch stop on a road trip. Level 2 home charging at 11.5 kW will add around 25 miles of range per hour overnight.
Suspension, Braking, and Handling
The R1S uses an independent double-wishbone front suspension and an independent multi-link rear setup, both with adaptive air springs. The air suspension adjusts ride height automatically based on speed and driving mode, and you can raise it manually for off-road use, with a maximum height of 14.9 inches of clearance off the ground. On the highway, it drops to reduce drag and improve range.
Over potholes and expansion joints, the suspension absorbs impacts without sending a sharp jolt through the cabin. Speed bumps at low speed are handled smoothly. The 6,671 lb curb weight is substantial, and you feel it in corners. The R1S leans more than a sports car, but the air suspension keeps body motion controlled.
Braking uses four-wheel disc brakes at all corners. In normal driving, regenerative braking handles most of the deceleration. When you do need the friction brakes hard, the pedal feel is firm and the stopping behavior is predictable. The combination of regen and disc braking means the pads see less wear than a conventional vehicle, which is a long-term maintenance benefit.
Tech Overview
Rivian built its own infotainment and driver-assistance systems from the ground up. The result is a cohesive experience that works well within its own ecosystem, but has real gaps for anyone expecting standard smartphone integration.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 15.6-inch touchscreen dominates the center stack, handling navigation, climate, media, and vehicle settings through a clean, responsive interface large enough to use without taking your eyes off the road for long. Complementing it, the 12.3-inch digital driver display behind the wheel presents speed, range, and turn-by-turn directions with equal clarity.
Bluetooth 5.0 manages phone calls and audio streaming reliably, though the connectivity picture has notable gaps. No trim level offers Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, wired or wireless, which becomes a hard limitation if you depend on phone-based navigation or podcast apps. Satellite radio is similarly absent. A wireless charging pad keeps your phone topped up, but its screen remains entirely separate from the vehicle’s display.
Features / Drive Modes
The R1S offers five drive modes, All-Purpose, Sport, Conserve, Off-Road, and Snow, each tuned for a distinct set of conditions. All-Purpose serves as the everyday default, striking a balance between range and response, while Sport sharpens throttle response and firms up the suspension for more engaged driving. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Conserve prioritizes range by softening throttle response and limiting climate output. For more demanding terrain, Off-Road raises the suspension to maximum height and adjusts power delivery for low-traction surfaces, and Snow mode softens throttle inputs while biasing traction control for slippery roads.
The driver assistance suite covers a broad range of scenarios. Adaptive cruise control maintains a set following distance and works smoothly in highway traffic, and traffic sign recognition reads posted speed limits and displays them in the driver cluster. Meanwhile, the driver attention monitor watches for signs of inattention and prompts you if it detects a problem. Rounding out the package, hill start assist prevents rollback on steep grades, and trailer sway control intervenes if a towed load starts to oscillate.
Safety Capabilities
The R1S earned both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating, results that, for a vehicle this large and heavy, reflect genuine structural engineering rather than simply airbag count.
Safety Ratings
The IIHS awarded the R1S its Top Safety Pick+ designation, which is the organization’s highest rating. NHTSA gave it a 5-star overall score. These ratings account for frontal crash performance, side impact protection, roof strength, and headlight performance. For a three-row SUV that weighs over 6,600 lbs, the structural integrity needed to earn these scores is significant. The body has to manage crash energy in a way that protects all three rows of occupants.
Safety Features
The R1S uses eight airbags covering front, side, curtain, and knee positions. That curtain airbag coverage extends across all three rows, which matters for rear passengers in a side impact. ABS prevents wheel lockup during hard braking on slippery surfaces. Electronic stability control monitors the vehicle’s path and applies individual wheel braking if the R1S starts to slide. Traction control works alongside the AWD system to manage wheelspin on loose or wet surfaces. Three LATCH positions make installing car seats straightforward in the second row.
Driver Assists
Adaptive cruise control holds a set following distance on the highway and adjusts speed smoothly when traffic slows. It doesn’t require constant attention to maintain, which reduces fatigue on long drives. Automatic emergency braking intervenes if the system detects an imminent collision and the driver hasn’t responded. Pedestrian detection extends that coverage to people crossing in front of the vehicle. Lane keeping assist nudges the steering if the R1S drifts toward a lane line, and lane departure warning alerts you before the nudge kicks in. The driver attention monitor watches steering inputs and alerts you if it detects fatigue. Automatic high beams switch between high and low without driver input on dark roads.
Additional Safety Features
Blind-spot monitoring watches the lanes beside the R1S and lights up a warning in the mirror if a vehicle is in your blind spot, useful given how wide this vehicle is. Rear cross-traffic alert watches for vehicles crossing behind you when backing out of a parking space, which is a daily convenience in busy lots. Front and rear parking sensors give you audio feedback as you close in on obstacles in tight spaces. The R1S does not have a surround-view camera system, so you’re relying on the rearview camera and sensor feedback rather than a bird’s-eye view when maneuvering in very tight spots. That’s a gap worth knowing about if you park in cramped urban garages regularly.
Trim Guide
The R1S lineup runs from $75,900 to $115,900 across seven configurations, and the differences between them aren’t just about power. Battery size, interior package, and audio system all change as you move up.
Trim and Price
The Dual-Motor Standard Pack starts at $75,900 as the entry point into the R1S, bringing 533 hp, dual-motor AWD, air suspension, the 15.6-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, wireless charging, and the 10-speaker Rivian Elevation audio system. Range on the Standard Pack tops out at around 258 miles, making it the trim to choose if you want the R1S experience at the lowest buy-in and your daily driving stays within a predictable range.
At $82,900, the Dual-Motor Large Pack carries over the same 533 hp powertrain and interior package from the Standard Pack but adds a larger battery for extended range. If you regularly drive more than 200 miles in a day or want more buffer in cold weather, the $7,000 step up is worth it.
The Performance Dual-Motor Large Pack at $88,900 keeps the Large Pack battery and range while bumping output to 665 hp and 829 lb-ft of torque, along with upgraded wheels and tires. This trim suits anyone who wants noticeably quicker acceleration without moving to a three- or four-motor setup.
The Dual-Motor Max Pack at $89,900 presents a close call against the Performance Dual-Motor Large Pack. It stays at 533 hp but adds the largest available battery for maximum range, so the right choice comes down to priorities: if range matters more than acceleration, this is the better pick, but if you’d rather have the extra power and can live with slightly less range, the Performance Large Pack at $1,000 less makes more sense.
Priced at $94,900, the Performance Dual-Motor Max Pack combines the 665 hp output with the Max Pack battery, making it the top of the dual-motor range and the trim to choose if you want both maximum range and strong performance without stepping into the Ascent interior package.
Our pick is the Tri-Motor Max Pack Ascent at approximately $105,900. The jump to 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque is substantial, but what really justifies the price is the Ascent interior: premium vegan leather, ventilated front seats, and the 18-speaker Rivian Premium Audio system with Dolby Atmos. That audio upgrade alone changes the character of long drives, and because the Tri-Motor also gets the Max Pack battery, you’re not trading range for performance.
The four-motor flagship with the Max Pack Ascent package at $115,900 adds an extra motor for 1,025 hp and independent torque control at each wheel, and the off-road capability gain is real. However, efficiency drops to around 78 MPGe combined, which reduces real-world range compared to the Tri-Motor, and for most buyers the Tri-Motor Ascent hits the better balance. That top-tier four-motor configuration is worth considering only for those who specifically want maximum off-road performance or the bragging rights of 1,025 hp.
Warranty and Maintenance Information
The R1S comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 4-year/50,000-mile roadside assistance. Powertrain coverage depends on configuration: Dual-Motor trims are covered for 8 years or 120,000 miles, while Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor trims extend that to 8 years or 150,000 miles. Rivian does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance, so factor in service costs when budgeting.