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Before we dive into everything this capable SUV has to offer, you’re probably wondering when you can get one. Well, initially, it had a mid-2021 arrival date shortly after the electric truck, but both were delayed due to supply constraints and other issues.
And while Rivian did give out some R1S vehicles to pre-order holders in December and earlier this year, they were just special Launch Edition vehicles.
In June 2022, Rivian sent letters to reservation holders informing them that it would be delaying the first deliveries of its long-awaited R1S electric SUV. Again. And while the automaker is busy ramping up production, those letters indicated that reservation holders could expect delivery around August or later.
Additionally, some buyers have been told that it may not arrive until October or December, depending on model, color and trim.
Technically, the Rivian R1S is available right now and has already been released. However, most reservation holders have not received theirs due to delays and supply issues. And to make matters worse, if you order one today, it likely won’t arrive until sometime in 2023.
Price and availability
Unsurprisingly, this is an all-new electric vehicle with a high-end design, so it doesn’t come cheap. Initially, the fully loaded Launch Edition was only $75,500, but in May, Rivian increased prices, plus the Launch Edition was for early adopters only and quickly sold out.
The R1S currently costs $72,500 for the base Explorer package, while the upgraded Adventure package starts at $78,500.
There are nine different colors to choose from, two main packs, and plenty of add-ons for those looking to spruce things up. Both are available to reserve now with a $1,000 deposit. Again, if you order today, we doubt it will be delivered until early 2023.
Specifications, battery, range and performance
Like most electric vehicles in recent times, the Rivian R1S is fast, powerful and highly capable. Depending on the package, it can go from 0 to 60 in just over three seconds, has over 835 horsepower, and comes with two large battery options.
With the Rivian R1S, buyers have two main packages to choose from and two powertrain options. All 2022 models only come with the best-in-class four-motor AWD system, with an electric motor at each wheel. Also, Rivian only offers the large 128 kWh battery pack. This promises an EPA range of around 316 miles per charge and combines to make 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque.
The twin-motor R1S model is still competent, mind you, making around 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the size of the battery, you’ll still get between 260 and 316 miles per charge. The Rivian R1S can tow up to 7,700 lbs., seats seven thanks to an upgraded third-row seat, and has a wading depth of more than three feet.
Rivian will eventually offer three different battery packs on the R1S, along with a more affordable 2WD setup. We’re expecting a smaller battery in 2023 and an even larger “Max” battery option. Note that the larger battery option coming in 2023 is for the AWD model only, and the smaller battery will only be an option on 2WD configurations.
Once those options arrive, Rivian estimates 260 miles per charge on the cheapest variant and around 400 miles of range on the Max model, giving many electric SUVs a run for their money. Unfortunately, the company says its smaller 105 kWh battery won’t be available until 2024.
More importantly, every Rivian R1S battery pack and drivetrain come with an eight-year/175,000-mile warranty.
Rivian R1S Charge
Currently the Rivian R1S can charge at speeds in excess of 196kW, which is quite impressive but not as fast as many other luxury electric vehicles on the market. However, that will change soon.
The company claims it will have more than 3,500 DC fast chargers at 600 sites by the end of 2023. However, Rivian recently removed that promise from its website, so the project could take longer than anticipated.
You can charge the Rivian R1S with typical slower level 1, level 2 or level 3 chargers. According to Rivian, those who opt for a DC fast charger can get 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes. Then in the future that 200 kW speed will increase to 300 kW. Essentially, Rivian’s charging technology and speed is on par with much of the competition, but we’re not sure how quickly it will roll out the charging network or offer faster 300kW speeds.
Neat Rivian R1S Features
The Rivian R1S shares much of the overall design, looks and cool features of the R1T electric truck. While the SUV doesn’t have the same cargo space as the truck, there’s more room on the roof for a cargo rack, and the company even sells a rooftop tent that buyers can pitch on top for camping or overland travel.
It comes with an adaptive air suspension system, similar to the truck. With air suspension, R1S owners can increase its ground clearance to 14.9 inches for off-road trails or lower it to 8.8 inches for improved handling and highway mileage. Rivian has a $2,000 off-road upgrade that adds reinforced underbody sliders to protect the vehicle from rocks, a set of front-mounted tow hooks, and a few other things.
Around the rear, the tailgate opens in two sections. The top half is obviously electric and gives you access to the spacious cargo area behind the rear seats. The lower half can also be dropped, making it easier to load heavy equipment or luggage. So, as expected, all the seats were flat to carry large items or it would be a great place to put a sleeping bag while camping.
A quick look inside the R1S! pic.twitter.com/liEZVnNJnR
– RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) May 19, 2022
Rivian vehicles come with eight different driving modes, including Off-Road Auto, Off-Road Rock Crawl, Soft-Sand Mode, Off-Road Rally, and Off-Road Drift. And while we doubt many homeowners will go astray, it’s nice to have options.
Another cool feature on Rivian vehicles is the trailer loading option. For those who don’t know, you can’t start an EV like a normal car. In an emergency, your Rivian R1S can be hooked up to a tow vehicle and pushed forward to charge the battery with regenerative braking.
Then, like the R1T, the SUV has multiple outlets throughout the vehicle, including a 110v outlet and 12v plug in the center console, and even more in the rear. You can also find a 12V power outlet in the front trunk, not to mention conveniently placed USB-C ports to keep your devices charged.
The company plans to add all sorts of other cool features in the future. Some of them include pet mode, updated dash cam controls, and taking full advantage of all cameras and sensors located throughout the vehicle.
conclusion
This is all we know about the Rivian R1S so far, but we expect to learn much more in the coming months as customer orders are delivered. Based on what we’ve seen of the R1T electric truck, Rivian is pulling out all the stops and hoping to compete with Tesla Model X, Model Y and EV models from big names including Chevy and Ford as it blends the lineup. when it comes to luxury vehicles.
Rivian received over 80,000 pre-orders between the R1T and R1S, so they certainly have some work to do. The company needs to quickly increase production, maintain prices, build the cargo network, and become profitable as quickly as possible.
From what we’ve seen so far, the Rivian R1S ticks all the boxes for SUV buyers, plus it offers a few extras like off-road capabilities. It’s a complete all-electric SUV that’s unlike anything on the market today.
However, it’s only a matter of time until we see a full-size electric SUV like a Chevy Tahoe or something from Ford. For now, the company almost plays in a league of its own. If you’re considering an electric vehicle and want as much space as possible, all kinds of comfort, but also plan to be a little adventurous, consider the new Rivian R1S.
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