2023 Rivian R1S - impressive Luxury Large Electric SUV!
- last year
Highs Quad-Motor model is a rocket, upscale interior, seriously capable off-road.
Lows Expensive starting price, undisciplined ride-and-handling, really should have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Verdict The R1S is a three-row EV SUV with legit off-road capability, which means the whole family can come along for a carbon-free romp through the woods.
Overview
The second model from upstart Rivian, the 2023 R1S SUV features three rows of seats, an upscale cabin, and an all-electric powertrain. Like other EVs—including its sibling, the R1T pickup truck—the R1S is blisteringly quick, hitting 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds in our testing. On-road handling is agile for an SUV, but we wish the R1S drove better—more like the R1T pickup it shares its mechanicals with. Unlike other EVs, the R1S offers legit off-road capability that rivals many gasoline-powered rivals such as the Land Rover Discovery. The standard air suspension can be adjusted to give up to 15 inches of ground clearance, and the Quad-Motor model features an electric motor for each wheel, which maximizes the driver’s control in a variety of terrains. The Tesla Model X wishes it were half as capable. The R1S’s range is good too, with the Standard battery pack giving about 260 miles of driving per charge and the optional Large pack boosting that number up to 316 miles.
What's New for 2023?
The R1S launched late in the 2022 model year, so it carries over to 2023 with no changes. Rivian has pushed out several over-the-air software updates already, which have activated features such as Camp Mode, Pet Mode, and Soft Sand and Snow driving modes.
For now, the Adventure model is the only trim available, although a lower-cost Explore trim should join the lineup soon. We’d upgrade to the Large battery pack for $6000 to unlock the R1S’s maximum 316-mile driving range, otherwise, the Adventure trim comes with all the SUV’s best features as standard.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The R1S shares its battery pack, powertrain, much of its styling, and many of its specs with its R1T pickup sibling. The standard powertrain is the Dual-Motor setup which makes a combined 600 horsepower and comes standard with all-wheel drive. With 835 horsepower on tap, the available Quad-Motor powertrain makes the R1S mighty quick, hitting 60 mph in 3.1 seconds at our test track. With this upgraded powertrain, the R1S has an electric motor at each wheel, providing all-wheel drive and impressive off-road capability. All models feature an adjustable air suspension, which allows ground clearance to vary from eight to 15.0 inches. In our testing we were put off by both the R1S’s out-of-synch steering responses and its poor ride control, which at times was excessively floaty and in other situations caused odd front-to-rear porpoising. The R1T pickup is far superior in these areas, so we know that this chassis has the ability to be much better behaved.
Lows Expensive starting price, undisciplined ride-and-handling, really should have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Verdict The R1S is a three-row EV SUV with legit off-road capability, which means the whole family can come along for a carbon-free romp through the woods.
Overview
The second model from upstart Rivian, the 2023 R1S SUV features three rows of seats, an upscale cabin, and an all-electric powertrain. Like other EVs—including its sibling, the R1T pickup truck—the R1S is blisteringly quick, hitting 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds in our testing. On-road handling is agile for an SUV, but we wish the R1S drove better—more like the R1T pickup it shares its mechanicals with. Unlike other EVs, the R1S offers legit off-road capability that rivals many gasoline-powered rivals such as the Land Rover Discovery. The standard air suspension can be adjusted to give up to 15 inches of ground clearance, and the Quad-Motor model features an electric motor for each wheel, which maximizes the driver’s control in a variety of terrains. The Tesla Model X wishes it were half as capable. The R1S’s range is good too, with the Standard battery pack giving about 260 miles of driving per charge and the optional Large pack boosting that number up to 316 miles.
What's New for 2023?
The R1S launched late in the 2022 model year, so it carries over to 2023 with no changes. Rivian has pushed out several over-the-air software updates already, which have activated features such as Camp Mode, Pet Mode, and Soft Sand and Snow driving modes.
For now, the Adventure model is the only trim available, although a lower-cost Explore trim should join the lineup soon. We’d upgrade to the Large battery pack for $6000 to unlock the R1S’s maximum 316-mile driving range, otherwise, the Adventure trim comes with all the SUV’s best features as standard.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The R1S shares its battery pack, powertrain, much of its styling, and many of its specs with its R1T pickup sibling. The standard powertrain is the Dual-Motor setup which makes a combined 600 horsepower and comes standard with all-wheel drive. With 835 horsepower on tap, the available Quad-Motor powertrain makes the R1S mighty quick, hitting 60 mph in 3.1 seconds at our test track. With this upgraded powertrain, the R1S has an electric motor at each wheel, providing all-wheel drive and impressive off-road capability. All models feature an adjustable air suspension, which allows ground clearance to vary from eight to 15.0 inches. In our testing we were put off by both the R1S’s out-of-synch steering responses and its poor ride control, which at times was excessively floaty and in other situations caused odd front-to-rear porpoising. The R1T pickup is far superior in these areas, so we know that this chassis has the ability to be much better behaved.