2023 Rivian R1S Review

The 2023 Rivian R1S leaves very little room for complaints. This full-electric SUV delivers impressive performance both on-road and off-road, the powertrain is reliable and powerful, and its posh yet practical cabin keeps your family cozy for long-distance tours. However, the drive quality could have been a bit more refined. 

What attracts us the most about this EV is how quick it is—it can go 0-60 mph in a staggering 3.1 seconds. SUVs in general are known for their off-road ability but when we are talking about electric SUVs, we hardly expect a similar performance. The good news is, the R1S is designed to deliver stunning performance off-road. With high ground clearance and a high EV range, this one can be a great ride for adventure-lovers.

Powertrain Setup 

With the Standard powertrain, you get a Dual-Motor setup which generates a combined output of 600 hp. The Quad-Motor setup bumps up the output to 835 hp.

Transmission 

The vehicle is equipped with direct drive transmission.

Suspension

It comes with front control arms and rear multilink suspension. You can adjust the standard air suspension to maximize the ground clearance up to 15 inches.

Steering 

The SUV is equipped with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with controls for audio and cruise located on it.

The 2023 iteration of the Rivian R1S has made it to the Top Safety Pick+ list of IIHS. 

Brakes

The SUV is equipped with 13.5-inch vented disc for front brakes and 12.9-inch vented disc for rear brakes. 

Airbags

Head airbags for the front, rear, and third row are standard, and so are dual front side-mount airbags. 

Electronics

The lineup’s suite of driver-assist features, known as Driver+, offers blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, accident avoidance system, driver attention alert, stability control, child seat anchors, tire pressure monitoring, and pre-collision and post-collision safety systems as standard. 

Lights

Daytime running lights, dusk sensing headlamps, LED headlamp, and front fog lights are available as standard. 

Traction control

Available as a part of the standard safety package, traction control prevents loss of traction to the wheels when you’re driving on slippery roads. 

Say goodbye to range anxiety, because this EV offers superb electric-only range that can take you on long trips with a single charge.

EV Range

The automaker has planned to offer 3 battery packs, but only 2 are available at the moment. The Standard battery pack offers 260 miles of EV range, while the Large battery pack offers 352 miles.

As for the interior, Rivian offers exactly what you would want out of a luxury vehicle. The seats are comfortable and the aesthetics are on point, however, we had expected the infotainment system to be far more superior. 

Seats 

Spread across three rows, the all-new Rivian R1S features premium leatherette or leather upholstery and wood trimmings, elevating the style of the interior. Both the front trunk and the regular cargo space are spacious. The front seats have 41.4 inches of legroom, height and power adjustable seats with lumbar support, and multi-level heating. The rear seats have 36.6 inches of legroom, reclining seats, and a folding center armrest. 

Design 

The exterior design of this SUV is stunning to say the least. Everything from the distinct headlights to the rugged styling is designed to turn heads. The interior is equally well-crafted and thoughtfully designed, ensuring comfortable rides on all road conditions. 

Infotainment 

The infotainment system is easy to navigate, with standard features like wireless smartphone charging, WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa. However, the vehicle doesn’t come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Overall height and space

The SUV is 200.8 inches long, 81.8 inches wide, 77.3 inches in height, and it has a wheelbase of 121.1 inches and 14.9 inches of ground clearance.

Trunk space

The base cargo space is 17.7 cubic feet, expandable up to 104.7 cubic feet. 

While we are seeing an influx of Electric SUVs in the market, there is nothing as remarkable and suave as the Rivian R1S. The price point is quite high even for the base trim, but the lineup justifies it by offering a premium cabin, excellent ride quality, a reliable battery pack, and impressive off-road ability. 

The 2023 Rivian R1S comes in 3 trim levels—Adventure, Adventure All-Terrain, and Launch Edition. The automaker plans to add an Explore trim that would cost slightly less than Adventure. Adventure is a well-rounded SUV with all the desirable tech and comfort features, but you might want to upgrade to a bigger battery pack to get maximum EV range.

Trim Level	Base Price
Adventure	$79,800
Adventure All-Terrain	$89,400
Launch Edition	$91,800

AWD/FWD

All-wheel drive is the standard setup in this lineup.

Warranty 

The vehicle is covered by a basic 5-year or 60,000 miles warranty, a drivetrain warranty of 8 years or 175,000 miles, EV battery warranty of 8 years or 175,000 miles, rust warranty of 8 years, and roadside assistance for 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Towing

This lineup goes on to prove that electric SUVs can match traditional SUVs in their towing ability. When equipped properly, the Rivian R1S can tow up to 7700 pounds.