Making an electric car from scratch? A graveyard of ambition litters the EV landscape. Tesla alone remains a phoenix risen to dominate the mainstream. Nikola? A house of cards. Canoo? Bankrupt. Fisker? A double catastrophe. And Aptera? Eternally flirting with production, a mirage shimmering on the horizon for what feels like an eternity.
Let’s forget about well-mannered electric vehicles. For these second-generation offerings, especially with the R1S SUV (starting at $75,900 and shooting to $105,000 as tested), electrification has indeed brought moxie to the off-road game. In a sea of startups vying for Tesla’s shadow, Rivian is not just assembling electric cars; it is erecting monster machines for adventurers today that will lay the pathway for a much bolder, electrified future.
Design
Engadget
The rugged EV SUV choice
Rivian R1S Gen 2
Fancy a vehicle with an electric charge that can seat your family and friends? The Rivian R1S Gen 2 will say they will conquer this category in three rows of pure electric wilderness.
Pros
- Serious top-end range and performance
- Slick interior
- Contemporary rugged design
- Frequent OTA updates
- New hands-free highway assist
Cons
- Expensive, particularly for tri- or upcoming quad-motor models
- Currently no way to mirror texts on infotainment
- Physical key fob costs extra
Starts at $75,900, $105,900 as tested at Rivian
The Rivian R1S is a boxy beauty, equal parts modern-and-macho. There is no room here for sleek, aerodynamic concessions-this SUV swells with pent-up energy in its unapologetically boxy silhouette, certifiably, much to the liking of truck enthusiasts. Yet, rugged does not translate to unsophisticated. A walk on the tightrope between minimalist and retro design is performed by Rivian, thus allowing R1S to feel comfortable on Main Street or scaling a mountain. The oval headlights declare its presence; they are a blazing signature. For those inclined to go a little rough on the vehicle, Rivian got you covered with hefty recovery hooks, aggressive fenders, and huge 22-inch wheels wrapped with tires begging for some serious off-roading. Think of this as the bronco electric Ford independently never built: only longer, plusher, and with a third row of seats.
Interior
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Entering the R1S feels like being in a carefully crafted mountain lodge, trimmed with Rivian’s Black Mountain and Brown Ash Wood. The massive 15.6-inch high-resolution screen dominates the bigger dashboard yet somehow sits within design coherence instead of seeming like an afterthought. Glance over at the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster: merely crisp data at a glance. In an expertly done balance act, Rivian marries bleeding-edge technology to well-established comforts. They sure didn’t throw away tactile joy on the altar of innovation; you’ve still got your old-school stalk gear shifts and wiper controls. The climate and music controls are touch-based, but a fixed row of icons ensures nothing is buried in endless menus. Intuitive tech made for the driver, not for deciphering.
The build instills a different confidence; one that removes any rattle or unsightly gaps. Although not really cushy seats, the heating, and ventilation of the front seats will be welcome luxuries, considering there is a lot more warmer weather to come. The panoramic roof fills the cabin with so much light that it creates an open and airy feel. That glass, however, is not normal: the electrochromic glass is a delightful addition of the Sound + Vision package, which changes from clear to shaded with a mere touch. The backseat would not have been neglected: whomsoever is seated at the back is treated to a climate and music screen (thank goodness for a child lock!) and individual air vents for all three rows to keep everyone comfortable.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Skip the necessary back-row position of torture – Rivian made use of the classic box shape of the R1S. At six feet tall, I crept into the third row sans admiring wrestling moves, but the legroom needed the second-row seats nudgedjusta smidge. But let’s get this straight: kids and smaller adults will have lots of room. Need an EV shuttle for seven? The R1S delivers. Or, ditch the passengers and unleash serious cargo space. Stow the third row and you’re looking at 46.7 cubic feet of room. Fold both rows flat and prepare for a cavernous 104.6 cubic feet.
Infotainment and tech
Forget Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The R1S throws down the gauntlet with an infotainment system designed so well that one might wonder about the reason for needing such apps in the first place. One can not only enter the drivetrain settings but change everything from ride height to regenerative braking with just a tap. Gearheads, prepare to have fun: real-time information on elevation, motor temps, and even steering angle will be right at your fingertips. Climate control, music, charging, navigation? Pfft! If you know how to use a smartphone, then you’re essentially experienced in Rivian. No instructive literature will ever be required; just pure intuitive control.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Gear Guard? Genius. With the cameras integrated into the R1S functioning like ever-watchful sentinels recording possible threats-respecting fender benders or outright acts of vandalism-to your ride, whydon’tall automakers resort to such uses of their sensor suites? It is peace of mind you hope to never need, but will thank your lucky stars for when you do. And on that note, the R1S’s many 120V AC outlets and USB-C ports? Absolutely free of charge for those little thoughtful touches.
With its mundane tasks, the Rivian mobile app (iOS and Android) goes ahead and handles everything smoothly so that you can focus on bigger things. No more hunting for pesky keys; this app is just too easy to use. And, unlike the multiple times I had issues trying to use my Mach-E’s phone-as-key feature, this one has never let me down even once! During my entire stint of testing, it has been well and good. Watch the door handles come out to greet you with grace as you walk up to the Rivian. Walk away as lovingly as you came, and it locks back up for you. That’s an experience that feels natural and dependable.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
A standing ovation should be given to Rivian for that delightfully charming chirp upon locking. A soft, gentle tweeting instead of the obnoxious loud honking? That is splendidly inspired! That small touch means so much about respecting the environment, especially when in the midst of the trees. Just imagine a future where cars convey their warnings not through shrill alarms but bird songs worthy of their own unique makers and models. An overture of nature versus the chaos of urban life – what a sweet song that would be!
While what goes on behind the somewhat “fortress”-esque door of the VW test drives remains a secret, the dramatic mistake that keeps the Rivian experience from being perfect is phone mirroring: with all its distractions and dangers, today nothing is worse than being unable to project texts and notifications onto the central display. Rivian state that implementation proved more tricky than anticipated and possibly an update may come in the future. While I do feel that disconnecting from one’s phone while driving was in a way quite freeing, I do empathize with folks for whom lack of connectivity might be a deal-breaker.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Gone are the days of a metal key; the R1S allows for the futuristic touch into your life. It can either be accessed from a smartphone app or with a slimline key card that works through NFC. However, if one wishes to feel a real key fob in hand for locking doors and the frunk, an extra $250 must be cashed out.
Driving
In other words, the Rivian R1S doesn’t just speed away; it explodes. Pound hard on its gas, and 7,000 pounds of electric SUV become a silent missile. The tri-motor setup is pure lunacy, with 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, in your mind. Forget logic. Forget physics. The R1S throws them both out the window. Up to 80 mph, it feels as if you were drawing power from an infinite source, and the car defies its massive size by cornering with seriously astonishing agility.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Imagine cruising down an endless ribbon of pavement that ought to preserve a great distance and keep the landscape dragging by as your XVI glides effortlessly away: this year saw the launch of the Enhanced Highway Assist by Rivian, the250,000 km of freeway in the US and Canada is available for free, turning bored-eyed commutes into calm travels. It never enjoyed that sort of buzzed-up reputation as did Tesla’s FSD or Ford’s Blue Cruise but smooth, assured, and impeccable in its movements stood the R1S alone. Picture this-the car is perfectly centered in the lane-there is no more ‘ping-ponging’ between the lines: a flick of the stalk and it slides into another lane easily. Let go of the death grip and embrace the freedom! It turns a ‘white-knuckled practice’ into pleasant recollections! It is one of those moments where stressful drives are turned into relaxing scenic journeys by the confident hands-free capabilities of the Rivian.
Forget blind spots and say hello to Rivian’s ingenious camera-equipped mirrors. Signal a lane change, and the driver’s display instantly springs to life, presenting a crystal-clear view of what is beside you. The whole safety thing is just icing on the cake; it is downright clever. But wait; the real magic lies in Rivian’s adaptive headlights. US regulations may put a gag on matrix lighting, but Rivian could barely contain its laughter at such limitations. They basically started from a blank sheet of paper to rethink the headlights, designing a system that almost seems alive in its interaction with the road. Think about beams sidestepping glare as they pirouette through the corners! After having known such spectacles, standard headlights seem awkwardly antiquated.
Rivian R1S Gen 2
The front of the Rivian R1S Gen 2.
There are lots to like about the R1S; however, with its suspension, I felt drama. No matter how it was tweaked, it never gave you that feeling of silk softness. Bigger bumps seemingly gave you jolts right through the teeth. Post-hassle, Rivian, alleged to have made it feel worlds apart at slower speeds. But one cannot really talk about ride feel-it is highly personal. Are you even serious about car shopping without testing one?
Confession of sorts: I’m a city dweller by choice, not a rock-crawler by the laws of nature. SOONSIDE, whatever that might mean in the full coming-into-being of this R1S, Rivian seems to have thought through pretty much everything. For example, the vehicle features adjustable ride height that climbs to a staggering 15-inch clearance; it’s endowed with torque vectoring wizardry and practically desirous of going out and living its cuts and bruises. Oh, and there’s the killer feature: an air pump! Imagine the prospect of blowing a tire miles away from nowhere-after this little lifesaver can probably be the difference between either a grueling hike or a victorious return. Rivian has stirred my curiosity even if my notion of an off-road trip is usually thinking about the best place to parallel park.
Range, charging and configurations
There are four classifications of R1S to enroll in: Dual Standard, Dual Large/Max, Triple, and the soon-to-arrive Quad. Dual Standard equips Rivian’s entry-level battery pack for your everyday adventure. Crave more range? Go for the Dual Large/Max, which opens a choice of Rivian’s larger battery options. The Tri and Quad motor configurations release Rivian’s biggest battery and foremost capability for those who simply want power.
This range varies from about 270 to 371 miles, depending on the chosen config. Now, magic is with the “guess-o-meter.” Say goodbye to range anxiety: What the navigation will tell you is what you will get in reality- within a fraction of a percent. Believe in the map.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Supercharge the perception of the R1S’s hidden efficiency by tinkering with the rear motors! Flip the switch to “casual” and this electrified monster will surprise you. With the three motors running in unison, I barely eeked out 2.6 mi/kWh. But in “casual,” by allowing the front wheels-only operation, I toyed with that figure, flying well past 3 mi/kWh. It’s like unlocking a secret level of range!
Juice it up: Rivian R1S Charging Reality
Empty to 80% took 35 minutes at 350-kW stations. The catch was that peak charging was not observed at 350 kW, but at around 168 kW, with 300 finally happening here only when the car was practically empty. Range anxiety is now history thanks to this huge battery and clever efficiency. That said, I do want an NACS port, not this CCS legacy one.
Wrap-up
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Three rows of seats in an EV are rare. The Rivian R1S shines like a beacon through the limited choices. If money is no object, your choice is a compelling blend of styling, substance, and miscellaneous plus points that set it head and shoulders over the competition.
This Rivian must be very big for an R1S statement. The promise is made in steel and rubber: adventure awaits on tar or dirt roads. Picture this: you, your family, and the horizon filled with all sorts of possibilities enclosed in a fine cabin of engineering. No compromises. The R1S gives you a choice of battery size and motor setup to suit your exact needs: it’s not just up for an adventure, it’s designed for yours.
The Kia EV9’s spaciousness is an alluring and affordable option for the city folks. Those looking for luxury may find comfort in the Volvo EX90 or maybe a glamorous Lucid Gravity. If weekends involve dirt trails and awe-inspiring views, R1S is not just a vehicle; it is an adventure charter. 2nd Gen R1S not only transports but marks every trip as a worthwhile moment.
Thanks for reading Rivian R1S Gen 2 review: The rugged foundation of Rivian’s electric empire
