Spending a weekend with the 2025 Rivian R1S felt a little like test-driving the future—if the future were smooth, intuitive, and fully electric with a touch of wilderness gearhead charm. I didn’t set out to write a review. I wanted to see what the hype was about from a real-world, slightly skeptical perspective. Can an electric SUV with adventure in its DNA really work for the everyday driver?
Turns out, Rivian isn’t just trying to sell a car—they’re pitching a whole lifestyle. And they’re surprisingly close to pulling it off.
Over 72 hours, I drove city streets, tackled some light off-roading, fiddled with nearly every touchscreen menu, and quietly geeked out about regenerative braking. The result? A mix of awe, curiosity, and a few lingering questions—along with plenty of notes on what truly stands out about this all-electric three-row SUV.
What Is the Rivian R1S?
The R1S is Rivian’s all-electric SUV, built on the same skateboard-style platform as its sibling, the R1T pickup. It’s essentially a tech-forward, do-it-all vehicle that aims to blend off-road capability, premium comfort, family-hauling space, and forward-thinking sustainability. And it’s not shy about competing with heavy-hitters like the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and traditional luxury SUVs like the Range Rover Sport.
Built in Normal, Illinois (yes, really), the R1S is part of Rivian’s plan to reshape how we think about EVs—not just as commuter cars or green machines, but as serious tools for adventure and everyday life.
First Impressions: Clean, Confident, and Definitely Premium
From the moment you walk up to the R1S, it feels… different. The signature stadium headlights, minimalist body lines, and tall stance make it instantly recognizable—even if you’ve never seen one in the wild. It’s bold but not flashy, and surprisingly handsome in person.
Inside, the vibe is modern but earthy—think vegan leather, real wood trim, and an open, uncluttered cabin design that’s more calming than cold. There’s no start button. Just hop in with the key (or app), press the brake, and it wakes up.
And yes, it feels expensive—because it is. The 2025 R1S starts around $75,900 for the dual-motor model, and climbs north of $105,900 when fully optioned.
Performance That Balances Muscle and Maturity
Acceleration and Power
I tested the Quad-Motor AWD version, which delivers an eye-widening 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. That’s hypercar-level output from a full-size SUV.
Put your foot down, and it surges forward with near silence and absolute authority. There’s no drama—just a clean, steady push that pins you back and makes passing slow traffic feel like a breeze.
But what’s interesting is how refined the power delivery feels. You don’t need to be in Sport mode to enjoy it. In fact, the R1S is arguably more impressive in its Normal or All-Purpose modes, where the ride remains smooth and composed even under quick acceleration.
Driving Dynamics
Despite its size (it weighs over 7,000 pounds), the R1S handles better than you'd expect. The low center of gravity from the underfloor battery pack helps reduce body roll, and the adjustable air suspension adapts quickly to changes in terrain.
Steering is on the lighter side, but precise, and regenerative braking is customizable. I left it in “High” mode most of the weekend—ideal for one-pedal driving, which became addictive fast.
The R1S offers up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance when fully raised—more than a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Real-World Range and Charging
Here’s where things get practical. The R1S comes with multiple drivetrain configurations:
- Dual-Motor (Standard battery): ~260 miles of range
- Dual-Motor (Large battery): ~340 miles
- Quad-Motor (Large battery): ~320 miles
- Max Pack (New for 2025): Estimated 400+ miles
The model I drove (Quad-Motor, Large Pack) delivered just under 320 miles on a full charge. After mixed driving, I averaged about 2.3 miles per kWh, which is respectable for a vehicle this size.
At a DC fast charger, the R1S can charge at up to 220 kW, regaining 140 miles in about 20 minutes. At home, you’ll get around 25 miles of range per hour with a 48-amp Level 2 charger.
One small gripe? The lack of a nationwide Rivian charging network comparable to Tesla’s Superchargers—though Rivian’s Adventure Network is expanding, and the company has adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS), meaning access to Tesla’s network is on the horizon.
Space, Comfort, and Everyday Usability
This is where the R1S quietly wins people over. It’s not just an adventure toy—it’s a capable family hauler with plenty of smart design choices.
Interior Room
- Seating for seven with a usable third row
- Second-row seats slide and recline, creating decent legroom
- Cargo space is generous, even with all rows up
- Split tailgate makes loading gear or sitting at to tailgate surprisingly easy
- Hidden compartments throughout add smart storage for charging cables, gear, or snacks
Even taller passengers won’t feel cramped, and rear AC controls mean comfort isn’t just for those up front.
Cabin Technology
Let’s talk screens.
The 2025 R1S features:
- A 15.6-inch central touchscreen
- A second display in front of the driver
- An integrated Alexa voice assistant
- Optional built-in air compressor in the cargo area
Menus are logically arranged, though I still prefer physical climate controls (Rivian’s are touchscreen-based). Over-the-air updates bring frequent software improvements, and the onboard camp mode lets you level the car for sleeping overnight.
Off-Road Capability: Rugged, Without the Gimmicks
While I didn’t tackle anything a Land Rover would blink at, I did take the R1S on light off-road terrain with gravel, uneven inclines, and small mud patches. It didn’t flinch.
Key off-road features:
- Quad-Motor torque vectoring lets each wheel operate independently
- Adjustable ride height and different terrain modes (All-Terrain, Rock Crawl, Snow, etc.)
- Hill descent control and automatic terrain detection
You could drive this thing straight into Moab—and some owners already have.
Auto Highlights:
- Dual and Quad Motors let you dial in performance for everyday driving or rugged adventures.
- Air suspension raises or lowers ride height between 8 and 15 inches for flexibility.
- Clever storage includes a frunk, hidden bins, and a split rear tailgate.
- OTA updates continuously improve the R1S—think new drive modes and better efficiency.
- No gear tunnel here like in the R1T, but smart storage still plays a major role.
Final Thoughts
The Rivian R1S isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. But it nails the niche it aims for: people who want a premium EV that’s as good in the city as it is in the wild.
If you’re cross-shopping with Tesla or luxury European brands, the R1S feels more grounded, more authentic. It’s not about autopilot gimmicks or synthetic status—it’s about functionality, design, and capability with a future-proof twist.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The touchscreen climate controls could be more intuitive, and the charging infrastructure isn’t as robust as Tesla’s—yet. But spend a weekend with it, and you’ll start to see why Rivian’s fanbase is so passionate. It’s more than a car—it’s a well-executed idea.
