2023 Rivian R1S Electric

For the previous year, the R1S lineup had the Launch edition along with two other mainstream trims but for 2023, Rivian sticks to just the Adventure Packages. This move was taken and the model from last year had lesser demand in the market. However, users have the choice to pick their SUV with either a dual motor or quad motor setup. There are also two battery packs available and buyers picking the quad motor vehicle will have the larger pack as standard. While the R1S without any additional options and features costs $78,000, the options on this SUV are endless and push the price to almost $110,000 for the fully loaded spec. Regardless of whether you load the R1S with options or not, the start features are a seven-seat layout, perforated vegan leather upholstery with intricate stitching, heating and ventilation function for all the seats, standard 21-inch wheels, and much more that justifies the high starting price.

We Recommend

Though the R1S comes in a single trim, we recommend picking the Large battery pack and the quad motor setup as it helps better the range and performance. This would bring the price of the SUV to $92,000. We would suggest picking the 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires only if you intend to take the vehicle into the woods very often but otherwise, we would stick to the standard wheels as the optional ones reduce the overall range.

Release Date

There has been a lot of registrations for the R1S and while the buyers can currently configure and reserve their SUV, Rivian has announced that the vehicle would only be delivered later in 2023.

The Rivian R1S comes standard with an AWD system but the default configuration will carry a dual motor setup that produces 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. This will help the SUV hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. The Dual-Motor system pushes more torque backward with a larger gear ratio on the rear motor and also has front-to-rear torque management, offering excellent on and off-road performance, towing capacity, and all-weather traction. Spend an additional $8,000 and the Quad-Motor AWD provides immediate power and independently controls torque at each of the four wheels for accurate wheel control.

The ability for each wheel to independently help the vehicle accelerate, decelerate, and even turn is known as 4-wheel torque vectoring, and it allows for the highest levels of on-road performance and off-road capability. A small engine with 415 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque drives the front axle. A greater torque counterpart in the back produces 495 lb-ft of torque and 420 horsepower. They work together to produce 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 time of just 3.1 seconds.

Both the Rivian and Tesla stay on the higher spectrum when it comes to the power these EV SUVs make with the Model X offering 70 extra horses than the R1S. This allows the Tesla to hit 60 mph quicker than the Rivian. On the other side of things, both the Jaguar and Audi produce less than 400 hp. However, this does not make them slow in any way with the Jaguar even hitting 60 mph in under 5 seconds. The Audi takes 6 seconds, leaving it on the bottom of the table. All the vehicles come equipped with a dual motor setup but the Tesla is much more expensive in comparison and for an additional $5,000 over the Model X? price, it is possible to buy the fully loaded Rivian R1S that comes with a quad motor setup that does a 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds.

2023 Rivian R1S Ride and Handling

The R1S has the structure and accessories to qualify as a serious off-road vehicle. Similar to the R1T, it has an air suspension that raises the ground clearance only slightly after it is at its highest point. Additionally, it has a multi-link rear suspension, a double-wishbone front suspension, and a four-corner hydraulic anti-roll system created by McLaren. Eight drive modes regulate the ride height, throttle responsiveness, and stability control settings, four of which are subsets of the all-encompassing Off-Road mode. While it always rides high, the hydraulic anti-roll system effectively counters lean. It flattens the ride by pushing the suspension down on the outside wheels with hydraulic fluid that flows from one side of the car to the other when it is turning. Regardless of the mode, the ride was always smooth. Even the 22-inch wheels that are currently available have high sidewalls that lessen the impact of ruts and bumps. Well-tuned electric power steering and friction brakes improve the drive. The direct steering gave a clear sense of what was happening at the tires.

2023 Rivian R1S Braking Performance

In the R1S, regenerative braking is always in use. When the driver releases the throttle, the standard All-purpose mode delivers a little more than 0.2 g of braking, and the higher mode applies a little more than 0.3 g, both of which create immediate drag that can put the car to a halt. There is never an awkward hand-off between the two because the vehicle only ever engages the mechanical brakes when the driver applies the brakes.

Rivian hasn? revealed brake sizes but the braking tests revealed that the SUV stops in just 121 feet. This is even more surprising when considering it to be an almost 3.5-ton vehicle, making it the heaviest here. The shortest braking distance is showcased by the Tesla and it manages to hit 0 on the odo in just 112 feet. Speaking of the weakest performer, Audi takes the title but a stopping distance of 131 feet isn? bad for a daily driven vehicle in any way. The Jaguar sits right in between the Rivian and Audi while it's equipped with the smallest set of brakes. It still manages to beat the Audi as the Jaguar happens to be the lightest vehicle.

The Rivian R1S can be configured with one of two battery packs. The Standard pack is the smaller one and the Large pack as the name suggests is the bigger one. Rivin hasn? announced EPA ratings and the capacity of the smaller battery pack but when the R1S is equipped with the Large pack that carries a capacity of 135 kWh, the SUV holds an electric range of 316 miles. The MPGe ratings aren't even close to being as effective as lighter cars. The EPA rates it as 2.04 miles per kWh on average, resulting in 73 MPGe city, 65 highway, and 69 MPGe combined.

The MPGe figures of the Rivian are from the R1S equipped with the larger battery pack and this is the reason why it carries a lot more than its rivals on the table. However, that does not give the Rivian the highest range advantage as the Tesla offers a maximum 360-mile electric range. This is followed by the Rivian in second place but despite having a larger range, the individual MPGe rating of the SUV isn? all that high. Both the Audi and Jaguar carry a very similar sized battery pack and they both carry very similar range figures. If the most efficient EV is what you are looking for, Tesla takes the win with ease.

The R1S comes equipped with unique features, high-quality, contemporary materials, and effectively utilizes its space for passengers and cargo. The front row of the R1S is spacious in all directions, and the front passengers sit in plush chairs with 8-way power adjustments. The touchscreen is used to operate the power telescoping steering wheel and side mirrors, while controls on the sides of the seat bottoms are used to adjust the seats. To provide good leg room to go with its substantial headroom, the second row moves forward and back by handles along the seat bottoms or buttons at shoulder level. Three people can fit across the second row more comfortably than in most SUVs. All seven seats might accommodate adults, but if anyone in any position is 6 feet tall or taller, the legroom in the second and third rows will be significantly reduced or even eliminated. Like any SUV, the third row has low-set seat bottoms that do not provide the necessary thigh support for comfort on lengthy excursions. In addition to being roomy, the R1S' interior is extremely upscale. Although we did some significant off-roading and drove on badly maintained roads during our first drive of the R1S, there were no audible squeaks or rattles. The majority of the surfaces are made of high-end materials, and all three rows include soft padding for the elbows. By eliminating buttons, the interior design appears to emphasize minimalism, which is aesthetically very pleasing. Although some cabin controls can have a challenging learning curve as a result, it feels pleasant inside.

Though the interior dimensions haven? been revealed, the Rivian feels like the most spacious vehicle and it is even more convenient than the Tesla despite it having a very cool way t access the third-row seats. Speaking of third-row, Rivian and Tesla are the only two options that come with 7 passenger capacity and out of the two, the third row on the Rivian feels better suited for adults even though it isn? as comfortable as the seats ahead. Both the Audi and Jagur offer lesser space in comparison and make it feel like much smaller vehicles in comparison. Moving to the cargo area, the Rivian proudly holds massive space with the max capacity reaching 88.2 cubes. However, Tesla manages to offer a slightly larger trunk space when all the seats are folded.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Rivian R1S include

• Vegan leather seating with patterned stitching
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• 50/50 split and folding third-row seats
• 60/40 split and folding second-row seats
• Wood grain finish on the dashboard

How intuitive is the 2023 Rivian R1S infotainment system?

It also has a ton of technology and big screens, just like other EVs. Both the 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver and the 15.6-inch touchscreen that takes up most of the dashboard are used to operate various aspects of the car. Though the Rivian does not feature Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity as well as wired device pairing. The SUV will come with 8 USB slots and voice commands supported by Amazon Alexa. Rivian has also used technology in ways that no other manufacturer has before. Since EVs revolve around lower emissions to conserve the environment and since the R1S is designed to spend time in nature, every time the user locks or unlocks the car using the key fob, they will get to hear birds chirping instead of a regular honk that every other vehicle carries.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Rivian R1S are

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 15.6-inch touchscreen
• Amazon Alexa compatibility
• Rivian Elevation audio by Meridian
• 8-USB ports
• 4G hotspot

Like the related R1T, the R1S has a distinctive appearance that serves a purpose. Its angular design complements its exceptional off-road capability. From the B-pillars forward, the R1S and R1T have a similar design. They have a snout with a top bar of lights that is divided by cheery oval headlamps. The SUV has two front tow hooks, and when combined with the 20-inch all-terrain tires that are an option, the R1S looks even more prepared for off-road use. Only a lower character line, larger hips, and flush door handles that extend when needed are the main details on the sides. Full-length red taillights on the upright rearview resemble the white strip on the front of the vehicle. Campers can brace themselves as Riian offers a Camping Package which fits a roof rack and a three-person tent on top of the vehicle. There are also available mounts for bicycles, snowboards, and even kayaks, portraying the kind of places that this SUV is truly capable of trailing to. The LED strip in front also acts as a battery percentage indicator while the SUV is plugged in for charging, which is indeed a smart move. Cargo not only comes in the form of trunk space on the R1S as there is under-seat storage available on both second and third rows and since it's an EV, the frunk space can also be utilized to carry a few pieces of baggage.

Though Tesla and Audi carry lengthy bodies, the Rivian makes them look like compact cars. The Rivian R1S is large in every possible way with its length spanning a massive 200.8 inches. Talk about ground clearance and the Rivian stands at a massive 9.5 inches off the tarmac. To give a better perspective of how tall that is, the second spot is held by the Audi which offers a ground clearance of 6.8 inches. For some reason, if you feel the Rivian to sit low to the ground, users will be able to raise the height further to a staggering 14.9 inches, giving it extreme water-wading capability. All this takes a toll in terms of the overall weight, making the Rivian weigh much more than its rivals.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• Standard 21-inch aluminum wheels with optional 20 and 22-inch sets
• 9-exterior color options
• LED light strip and rear taillight
• Power tailgate
• Body flush door handles
• Capsule-shaped vertical LED headlamps

Despite the R1S's extensive list of safety measures, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has yet to crash-test it. The R1S is equipped by Rivian with a full boat of active safety features, including 9 exterior cameras, one interior camera, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 4 corner radar units, and one forward radar unit. Active lane control, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alerts, and automatic high lights are all included as standard equipment. Additionally, it incorporates front and rear parking sensors as well as a surround-view video system. Safety has been seriously taken by the team at Rivian and given the massive proportions of this SUV, the extensive driver assistance makes it easy to maneuver the vehicle.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Rivian R1S are

• Surround-view video system
• Trailer assist
• Active lane control
• Automated emergency braking
• Blindspot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

2023 Rivian R1S vs 2023 Audi E-Tron

Comparing dimensions, the Rivian R1S is larger than the Audi E-Tron. In comparison to the Audi E-Tron, it also provides better performance and a longer range. The Audi E-Tron can hold up to five passengers, whilst the R1S can hold up to seven. Due to its adaptable air suspension, which can raise the vehicle's ground clearance to 14.9 inches, the R1S is also a more capable off-road vehicle. It is unbeatable on all terrains because of the increased torque and AWD system. The Rivian R1S is more rural than the Audi E-Tron. Despite the Rivian being a much more expensive deal, we would still pick the R1S over the Audi.

2023 Rivian R1S vs 2023 Jaguar I-Pace

With its stylish and sassy looks, the Jaguar I-Pace undoubtedly looks more premium, but with its inferior range and performance, it falls short of the Rivian R1S. Despite being physically larger, the Rivian R1S is fully equipped with a variety of attractive features and provides performance that is unmatched in its class. The Jaguar I-Pace lacks the Driver+ autonomous driving system that it offers. The Jaguar does not carry the off-road ability that the Rivian offers and the Jag also lack the space that comes along with the Rivian.

2023 Rivian R1S vs 2023 Tesla Model X

Given that both vehicles can seat up to seven passengers, the Tesla Model X is the Rivian R1S's main rival. Additionally, both are created and produced in the United States. Tesla outperforms the Rivian R1S, nevertheless, thanks to its longer range and superior nationwide charging infrastructure. The Rivian R1S has a larger motor arrangement if you need more power even if it isn't as powerful as the Model X. Additionally, compared to the Model X, the R1S is more capable off-road. Because the Model X is more expensive than the Rivian R1S, we choose the latter.

Accessibility may be Rivian's strongest suit, as demonstrated by the R1S. The SUV is similar to the R1T in how it relieves some of the anxiety newer EV owners or drivers may have given all that they can see, much as it makes off-road driving easier. It's more empowering than holding your hand. Even if it was pricey, empowerment nonetheless. The R1S is very stable on the road despite being a heavy vehicle and the SUV is so well equipped to go off-road that it almost feels like cheating. The Rivian R1S justifies its price in every possible way and the sole purpose of this SUV is to keep things very practical.