The Rivian R1S is the second vehicle model from Rivian, the first being the R1T. The R1S is a mid-size SUV with a three-row sitting which is relatively uncommon for most electric vehicles. It is a fantastic choice for families who want to purchase an electric car, and the rep says Rivian has 90,000 orders for both vehicles.
The R1S has many impressive features and shares some things in common with the R1T. These include a regenerative braking system, 128.9 kWh battery pack, a 15.6-inch dashboard touchscreen, and impressive acceleration (about 316 miles of driving per charge).
Is the R1S the best electric SUV ever? According to Car and Driver, this vehicle ranks number three out of six other EVs, including a BMW iX, a Genesis GV60, and a Cadillac Lyriq. Keep reading this article for more information about its features.
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Overview of the Rivian R1S
The Tesla Model X is an impressive EV, but the R1S has a higher towing capacity and a lower base price. Another thing worth pointing out is the R1S off-road capability over the Model X. The former comes with an adjustable air suspension, giving it a maximum of 15.0 inches of ground clearance.
Apart from the Tesla Model X, the R1S competes with other EVs like the GMC Hummer EV SUT, the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck, and even the R1T. The R1S is smaller than the R1T; the former’s wheelbase is 121.1 inches, while the latter is 135.8 inches.
Rivian plans to produce 25,000 vehicles by the end of the year and deliver all preorders by the end of next year. The R1S is sold to customers directly, but Rivian also sets up service centers to handle repairs and maintenance when necessary.
Pricing
The only available option to order is the Adventure model, which has a starting price of $91,075. This is because the R1S launch edition is no longer available. The Adventure model offers a quad-motor setup, an all-wheel drive, the 128.9 kWh large battery pack, and a list of upgradeable features.
Rivian says that next year, there will be an entry-level Explore model, which will be more affordable. There will also be a dual-motor setup that produces over 600 horsepower.
Engine Power, Towing, and Payload Capacity
The R1S comes with a 128.9 kWh battery pack and a quad-motor powertrain that produces 835 horsepower. The battery pack of this vehicle is estimated to be good for 316 miles of driving per charge, and the powertrain is estimated to reach a speed of 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
All versions of the R1S are paired with an all-wheel-drive, and they have a towing capacity of more than 7700 pounds which is quite impressive. Lastly, they have a payload capacity of 1800 pounds.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The R1S has seven seats, three rows, and 104.7 cubic feet of storage, much more than the R1T. Its excess space for seating and storage space makes it an excellent choice for families. You also get an additional 12 cubic feet of storage space for the front trunk.
You can fold down the second and third-row seats if you need extra storage space for bicycles, luggage, and other big items. The all-glass panoramic roof is a great feature that allows you to enjoy camping and other outdoor activities.
Apart from its seating and fancy leather styling, you get access to two large display screens; the infotainment and the gauge cluster screen. Unfortunately, there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but there is a wireless charging pad, WIFI hotspot, and Alexa voice assistant (these are all standard features).
For music lovers, there is a 23-speaker Rivian Elevation by Meridian sound system, which is only available on the Adventure and Launch models. On the other hand, the Explore model comes with a standard 14-speaker system.
Apart from the wireless smartphone charging pad, there are three 12V ports, eight USB-C ports, and two 120V ports. There are also heated and ventilated seats and a pet comfort mode for changing the temperature to keep your furry friend warm and comfortable.
Lastly, there are fun features in your R1S, and one of them is the windshield wiper settings. You can change these settings from drizzle, downpour, storm, and sprinkle, depending on the state of the weather.
Fuel Economy, Range, and Battery
The R1S has an estimated fuel economy rate of 73 MPGe in the city, 65 MPGe on the highway, and 69 MPGe combined. This is quite low compared to the Tesla Model X Long Range Plus, which has a rate of 109 MPGe (city) and 101 MPGe (highway).
There is only one battery pack for the R1S first model year, but two more are expected to be released next year. There will be a smaller standard battery that will be compatible with dual-motor models and a max battery that will be compatible with quad-motor models.
The smaller battery pack has an estimated driving range of 260 miles and the max battery pack 400 miles.
Safety
The R1S’s crash test results can be seen on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. A driver assistance technology called Driver + comes in every R1S model.
It consists of different safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, etc. Other safety features likely to be included in the R1S package are standard adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist.
Warranty
The R1S does not come with complimentary scheduled maintenance, but Rivian offers a limited warranty on all models, including bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. There is also a powertrain warranty which covers eight years or 175,000 miles.
Conclusion
The R1S is an impressive vehicle for both on and off-road adventures. Rivian’s slogan is to keep the world adventurous, and they have exhibited this through the R1S. With its fantastic styling, ample space, and quick acceleration, this vehicle is a perfect choice for families.
