2025 Rivian R1S Review: The Most Luxe 3-Row EV SUV on the Market?
Rivian has not yet clocked two decades of existence in the EV market industry, but it is already a big game player in next-gen luxury SUVs, thanks to the automaker's innovative, detailed attention to fulfilling customer tastes. One of their models that embodies this principle is the R1S, a three-row electric SUV similar in most aspects to the R1T pickup, another popular model by the company.
Although Rivian is a close competitor to other SUV models, such as the BMW iX, Lotus Eletre, and Cadillac Lyric, in performance, size, driveability, and even trounces them in other aspects, it's still not a popular EV among Americans and globally. However, that said, don’t make the novice mistake of thinking it's not a top-class model like the peers mentioned above.
Look, here’s the grand claim: The Rivian R1S all-electric SUV is arguably the most luxe 3-row EV SUV.
Part of the reason for its low popularity is probably its pricing, with the base trim starting from about $78,000, and therefore, with other cheaper alternatives, many haven’t warmed up to giving it a real shot. Nonetheless, this model has a real colossal case to make as a futuristic luxury model, which over time has all the promise of going neck to neck with the established brands. So what are some of these deluxe and performance features that make it worth your attention?
Let’s find out below from this comprehensive Rivian R1s Review.
Rivian R1S Versions
Rivian gives you just what you need by ensuring there are many motor options, depending on your intended use for the car.
The standard dual motor setup is available on the base Adventure model in two versions. First, you can choose the standard dual-motor option, which is impressively powerful, with outputs of 553 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque. If you would like more power, the Adventure base model is also available in the Performance package (comprising a larger battery), delivering 665 horsepower and 829 pound-feet of torque.
Next, Rivian offers a new electric Tri-Motor system, which basically means that your SUV will have three motors, two on the rear wheels and one on the front. This electric motor system is available in the Ascend and Premium trims, and its superbly powerful design provides 850 hp and 1103 pound-feet of torque.
In addition, there’s the omnipotent quad-motor electric system, which means each wheel is served by its unique motor. This motor option has been significantly upgraded from the 2024 version, ensuring that your Rivian R1S SUV can now reach up to 1050 horsepower and 1198 pound-feet of torque. It's available on the Ascend and Premium trims alone.
California Dune Edition
The California Dune Edition Trim is a limited-edition trim exquisitely conditioned for the tough California desert terrain. It features fascinating features, such as a limited-edition color inspired by the dusty desert environment and top-level off-road capabilities to help navigate the rough fields.
It's a Tri-Motor AWD performance engine type with an output of 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque. For custom enthusiasts, this model comes with a uniquely fashioned Darkout Package that is essentially made to create a clear contrast to the California desert's sandy tones. Rivian offers this Package with a dark accented color on the lower parts all around the SUV to complete the look.
The other add-on worth your consideration is the All-Terrain Package, which comprises functionalities that enable navigation in any condition you throw at the car. The features include a reinforced underbody shield ensuring it’s as hard as rock, an air compressor system that adjusts the ride height depending on the prevailing terrain, and two all-weather wheel 20” wheel options.
Rivian R1S: What’s New for 2025?
Rivian will roll out many improvements to its R1S SUV in 2025. Among them will be redesigning its electrical architecture to become more concise. Around 44 pounds of wire are expected to be eliminated, which will help the electrical system become more efficient.
The standard battery has also been modified by adopting lithium-iron-phosphate engineering to improve its functionality. Also noteworthy is that the large batteries and the Maximum size packages have been enhanced in range, ensuring your Rivian is now ready to take you further than before.
Again, for those who love having their car wheels stand out from the crowd, they can shift from 20-inch wheels to 22-inch wheels. Of course, this will improve the SUV’s maneuverability, traction, and ease of handling.
The car’s system's UI has also undergone remodelling to become more intuitive with more realistic graphics. In addition, you get to enjoy its new Connect+ subscription software, which allows easy access to features like Apple Music and GoogleCast. However, Rivian has yet to address some critical features that were lacking in the previous yearly releases, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Finally, the long awaited Adaptive Drive Beam is now a reality. With this feature, Rivian ensures that your car adapts automatically to the beams of the oncoming cars by dimming your lights when necessary to prevent driving the oncoming drivers. This will be quite sensational because it means you don’t have to dim your car manually, making your drives more comfy.
Rivian R1S Exterior and Interior Designs
Exterior Design
Let's start with the exterior. This SUV is elegantly unique in its straight contours and general domineering design that screams ‘roomy inside.’ If you are a true mid-size luxury crossover SUV fan, you’ll definitely fall in love with its excellently curved exterior and its futuristic allure that makes it stand out from the crowd.
The door handles pop up as you get near the car, and there are lights on the driver and passenger side doors, ensuring you can safely embark and dismount from the vehicle even in pitch darkness without the risk of stepping into a water puddle.
Also striking is that the car does not use the traditional key, instead opting for a keycard, although the more terrific way to start it is via the Rivian App, accessible from your smartphone.
Interior Design
Remember that the overarching maxim with the Rivian R1S is to ensure that it's a futuristic luxury car that meets the customer's requirements, which is reflected in its interior. First, the SUV has heated and cooling seats, meaning it has taken care of ambient temperature extremes.
Once seated, the first thing that will probably strike your attention is the class that this car’s cabin oozes: Talk of top-grade leather, an ultra-modern alignment of the dashboard components, and wood trim that runs immaculately all over where it matters on the inside.
You’ll also immediately notice the two displays: one a 15.6-inch infotainment system, while the other houses the car's instrument cluster. The touchscreen is super sensitive to the touch and allows quick access to all the functionalities you need to feel at home while driving. These include climate controls, navigation and entertainment.
The car’s WiFi is also easy to share and allows connections for up to eight people, meaning that since it's a seven-seater, no one can complain of being locked out of the loop. The audio system is superb, and there's also a wireless phone charger.
Overall, this is a luxury car designed for really cool drives. You can actually manage really long drives without feeling exhausted because the seats are equally comfortable. Above, a panoramic glass sunroof allows just enough ambient lighting to create a realistic connection with nature when driving in the countryside.
Rivian R1S Performance and Range
As mentioned earlier, the R1S is available in three main electric motor configurations: dual-motor, tri-motor and quad-motor, and this means extensive choices when selecting the most ideal car for your needs. Of course, the price matters, but most importantly, the motor type ought to be the overarching factor when choosing a vehicle, together with the range.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: Rivian R1S also comes in three main battery types and sizes, and these are determinants of the overall driving experience as they affect how fast you visit the charging station. First, the 92.5 kWh Standard Pack battery can power your car for up to 270 miles when paired with the Dual Motor electric systems.
Next, Rivian has a large pack battery with a 109.4 kWh capacity and the 141.5 kWh-rated Max pack battery. The latter has the most extensive range output of all the Rivian R1S trims, at 410 miles when paired with a Dual-Motor Configuration trim. Also, the Tri-Motor's Max-pack combination range is just close to that of the Dual Motor System, at 371 miles, a feature they share with the Quad-Motor Max Pack combination.
Rivian R1S Charging
You can charge your Rivian R1S overnight at your home via a 240-volt outlet (Level 2 Charger). It usually charges at a rate of around 16 miles per hour. So a night of overnight charging on such an outlet will give you around 160 miles, which is quite enough, especially if you’re just doing around-town drives.
Level 1 charging is also an option if you have a 120V outlet in your home, although this is too slow, adding up only 20 miles after a night of overnight charging. The fastest charging option of all for the Rivian R1S remains the 220V DC fast charging system that, according to Rivian, can boost the battery from 10% to around 80% in a measly 40 minutes.
Of course, the actual charge time will be determined by the battery size, but the DC fast charger remains the quickest option and the go-to method if you need a significant power boost within a short duration.
Rivian R1S Pricing
We may not give the exact figure for the 2025 Rivian R1S various trims because this is a factor of not just the model but also the select features that you go for, such as the battery size and other customizations. However, on a general level, the base Adventure dual motor model, coupled with a standard-size battery, is without a doubt the cheapest, retailing from $77,700. When paired with the Large Pack battery (which means more range), this base model retails from $84,700.
Rivian’s Ascend comes in either Tri-Motor or Quad-motor types and is priced from $107,700. This is also the starting price for the Premium model in a Quad-motor configuration. Finally, for maximum power output and ultimate performance, the Premium model is available in a Quad-Motor system, and given its robust features, it's the most expensive option, priced from $117,000.
Worth mentioning is the California Dune Edition, which, as earlier highlighted, is a limited version designed for the California deserts. It has an EPA estimated range of around 329 miles and retails for $105,900.
Best Rivian R1S Option
The best option remains the base adventure model with a Large pack battery because it's at a midway point in this car's features. Its range is quite decent and also not too expensive (price is quite a major turnoff for Rivian when compared to alternatives).
But of course, you’ll have to spend above board for the ultimate R1S experience, which comes with the Premium Quad Motor system, so it's all about finding out what you exactly need. That said, Rivian remains one of the most perfectly designed luxe electric SUVs, and there are just not many alternatives that can match its range of features.
