The Rivian R1S stands out as one of the top choices for a large electric SUV, especially if you need three rows of seats and are okay with spending a bit more. It’s well-built, features impressive software, offers a good driving range, and sports a sleek design. Just two years after the original Rivian R1S hit the market, Rivian has now released a second-generation version.
So what’s new with the latest Rivian R1S? At first glance, it looks quite similar to the original. You might wonder if it’s worth trading your first-gen model for this one. Let’s break down what’s different in the second-generation Rivian R1S.
The overall exterior design hasn’t changed much, which is great news if you love the current look. The vehicle remains stylish without being overly serious, and the unique oval headlights add a fun touch.
There are minor design updates, though. New wheels and tires are available, including 22-inch aerodynamic wheels with custom Pirelli tires for better range. There’s also a performance-oriented option with 22-inch wheels and Ultra High-Performance Michelin tires, specifically for quad-motor versions.
The front trunk, or frunk, has gotten a bit smaller since some components were moved to the front of the vehicle. The front end also has new lighting features, such as an Adaptive Drive Beam that reduces glare for oncoming drivers and an RGB light feature on the front light bar that shows charging status and other info.
The interior has seen more changes. Rivian has introduced two new premium interior designs with updated paint and trim options. There’s now an electronically tinted glass roof, replacing the permanently tinted one in the previous model. More interior storage compartments have been added, addressing a common complaint about the first-gen model’s interior.
The biggest updates are under the hood. For instance, there’s a new heat pump that can warm the interior faster and more efficiently than before. Getting into the car has also become more convenient, with the addition of ultra-wideband support, allowing Apple users to use Apple Car Key in the Apple Wallet app. This feature is also coming to select Pixel phones and more Android devices in the future.
Rivian has made significant upgrades to the tech powering the infotainment system and software. The number of electronic control units (ECUs) has been reduced from 17 to just seven, each with improved computational performance. The software boasts new design elements, including a drive mode screen running on Unreal Engine for better visuals. Additional software features are available through a subscription service called Connect+, letting you access video streaming, and sign in to various content subscriptions like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and Alexa.
Even the wiring has been refined; the vehicle’s new electrical architecture has reduced the car’s wiring weight by 44 pounds, improving range and cutting production costs.
Rivian’s self-driving system has also received a boost. The new R1S comes with 11 cameras and five radars, capable of performing 250 trillion operations per second. Rivian claims these cameras can “see” up to 10 seconds ahead at highway speeds, providing ample time for the vehicle to make critical decisions.
The company has introduced the Rivian Autonomy Platform+, a premium version of its autonomous technology. For now, these features are available at no additional cost, with the first new feature being Lane Change on Command, set to come through a software update this summer. More features will roll out in the future, likely at an additional cost.
Performance-wise, the Rivian R1S now offers more options. The vehicle still has the dual-motor variant, delivering 665 horsepower and accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds for the Performance version. New for the second-gen model is a tri-motor variant with 850 horsepower, going from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The quad-motor version boasts a whopping 1,025 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. These versions even have a launch mode and come with Rivian’s new drive unit housing two motors.
The Rivian R1S continues to offer a solid range, similar to previous models. The base dual-motor model with the Standard battery offers 270 miles of range. The “Large” battery option gives you 330 miles, while the “Max” battery delivers a robust 410 miles. The tri-motor version, which only comes with the Max battery, offers 380 miles of range. We don’t yet know the range for the quad-motor version, but it’s expected to be slightly less than the tri-motor’s 380 miles.
With all these new features, Rivian has raised the R1S’s price a bit. The new model starts at $75,900 for the dual-motor Standard battery version, with prices going up to $105,900 for the tri-motor model. We don’t have final pricing for the quad-motor version yet.
Shipping dates for the new R1S vary depending on the version. Dual-motor versions will start shipping between August and September, while the tri-motor variant is expected to ship between September and October. The quad-motor R1S will start deliveries in 2025, though the exact timing is still unknown.
Overall, the improvements in the new R1S are meaningful and valuable. Even though the price has increased slightly, it remains the best electric SUV for its price range.