2023 Rivian R1S SUV Review New R1S SUV EV SUV Models CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home Cars Rivian 2023 Rivian R1S SUV
2023 Rivian R1S SUV
R1S SUVR1S SUV All GenerationsNew202320222023 $78,000 Price (MSRP) 2023 Rivian R1S SUV For Sale Best Electric SUVs Best SUVs for Moms Rivian SUVs Rivian Electric Cars Review Exterior Interior Trims & Specs Performance Safety & Reliability 23 Photos Compare insurance prices: Save an average of $440 Free Quote 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Review The Complete Electric SUV
by Cobus F. Potgieter The new Rivian R1S electric SUV is based on Rivian's R1T truck and promises to be the ultimate do-anything, three-row SUV, sans gas bills. Other than its striking looks, the R1S comes at a BMW iX-matching starting price that undercuts the Tesla Model X considerably. It also leads the class in performance, with a three-second sprint to 60 mph for the quad-motor variant, only being beaten by the $144k Model X Plaid. Two flavors will be available for the 2023 model year, with a dual-motor setup that's good for around 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, while the four-motor option gives you more than 800 hp to play with. But it's no one-trick pony, and the slightly-larger-than-midsize SUV is also an adept off-roader with almost 15 inches of ground clearance and a wading depth that most would find intimidating - thanks to a height-adjustable air suspension. The R1S also has a stylish and spacious interior, and the square Land Rover-esque profile speaks of the R1S's practicality and capability, but also of its aspirations to compete with the big names. It may not match a Model X on miles per kWh, but the expected long-range model with the 180-kWh battery should compensate with over 400 miles on a charge. 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Changes What s the difference vs 2022 R1S SUV
Due to some financial woes amidst supply-chain problems and semiconductor chip shortages, the first R1S deliveries to customers only started in August 2022. Launch dates have been delayed repeatedly, even though the vehicle has been out to the public for a while. There were no actual 2022 R1S cars delivered in 2021 or to compare with the 2023 Rivian R1S that is currently coming off the production line as deliveries in the USA only started in the second half of 2022 - thus, there have been no meaningful updates. What we can see is that the Launch Edition has been sold out and is no longer available, and that there is some debate as to whether the lineup will remain one-model only as it is for now, since Rivian has unexpectedly discontinued the planned base Explore trim. The only other change we can see is that the 2023 R1S exterior color palette includes Glacier White as a $1,750 option instead of an included item. Pros and Cons
An enormously powerful performance SUV Superb off-road ability thanks to height-adjustable air suspension Composed handling and flat cornering due to smart roll-mitigating tech Good range of more than 300 miles Three-row versatility Ride quality can be a bit firm Not exactly cheap Access to the third row is tight, the seat is mounted too low, and space is limited The slow rollout of models is super frustrating 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Trims
See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) Adventure Electric Single Speed Automatic All-Wheel Drive $78,000 See All 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Trims and Specs 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Handling and Driving Impressions
The 835-hp/908-lb-ft quad-motor setup dispenses eyeball-flattening acceleration, and none of the Rivian R1S's competitors can touch it for performance in the electric SUV space except for the Tesla Model X Plaid, which is $50k more expensive. There are no fewer than eight drive modes, with the automatically adjusting All Purpose as the default, while Sport can be selected to lower and stiffen the suspension for enthusiastic driving. Tow Mode selects AWD and provides maximum torque for towing, and Conserve switches to FWD and optimizes the R1S to save battery power on long trips. There are four off-road modes: Off-Road Auto is the automatically adjusting default setting; Off-Road Rock Crawl balances stability and ground clearance for very tough going; Off-Road Rally is for high-speed gravel roads; and Off-Road Drift optimizes drifting on loose surfaces. The dedicated off-road modes play to the R1S' strengths and make the most of the ample ground clearance to put clear daylight between it and its rivals off-road. Rivian threw a lot of technology at the suspension system. With height-adjustable air springs, a hydraulic anti-roll system courtesy of no other than McLaren, and a sophisticated front wishbone and rear multilink layout, not only is there deeply impressive go-anywhere ability, but surprising nimbleness and a fleetness of foot not usually associated with a large SUV. The tradeoff is a slightly stiff-legged ride quality, but this is amply compensated for by well-judged damping and exemplary body control for such a big barge. Verdict Is 2023 Rivian R1S SUV a good SUV
The Rivian R1S has what it takes to catapult it straight to the top of the class for three-row electric SUVs. It outdoes the far more expensive Tesla Model X in overall interior space, off-road ability, and performance at the price. The BMW iX is similarly priced but is also a road-biased one-trick pony compared to the Rivian and will be left floundering off-road. The infotainment system is easy to use, the driver-assistance features impressively comprehensive - and it can even tow 7,700 pounds - over 2,000 lbs more than either of its rivals. That said, we lament the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the infotainment system, and the somewhat choppy ride quality might bother some people. The third row is for occasional use only and really meant for children. The R1S is not exactly cheap, either. Now Buzzing First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Electric Vehicles Rivian Angers R1T Customers By Removing A Desirable Feature From The Electric Truck 2023 Rivian R1S SUV Comparisons
2023 Rivian R1S SUV Popular Comparisons
The most popular competitors of 2023 Rivian R1S SUV: Tesla Model X $120,990 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi e-tron $65,900 Price (MSRP) Compare Audi e-tron S $84,800 Price (MSRP) Compare Cadillac Lyriq $59,990 - $90,000 Price (MSRP) Compare Hyundai Ioniq 7 TBC Price (MSRP) Ford Mustang Mach-E $43,895 - $61,995 Price (MSRP) Compare Kia EV9 TBC Price (MSRP) See All 7 Comparisons Rivian R1S SUV News
Recall 8 Electric Startup Rivian Recalls Almost All Of Its Vehicles For Wheels That Could Fall Off What starts out as a steering issue can quickly see the wheels come off your Rivian EV. Literally. Electric Vehicles 1 Rivian Can Finally Sell Cars In Canada More than a year after production started. Off-Road 1 Rivian Bringing Camp Mode To Next Over-The-Air Update The CEO shared a sneak preview of the company's upcoming Camp Mode. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top