First Drive: Rivian R1S Proves to Be a Roomy, Quick All-Electric Three-Row SUV
Unlike its R1T pickup truck sibling, it breaks little new ground and shares the same drawbacks
The universe of three-row SUVs is forever expanding, with compact, midsized, and large models spanning the range from relatively affordable to eye-poppingly expensive. But the galaxy of EV versions is far, far smaller. With the arrival of the Rivian R1S, the number of options increased by 50 percent, to three vehicles: the R1S, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and Tesla Model X.
The Rivian R1S SUV gives this California-based startup a three-row vehicle that should appeal to a wider audience than the brand’s first model, the R1T pickup truck. Of course, this audience is still a relatively narrow slice of the new-vehicle market: specifically, it’s for consumers who want a fully electric SUV, are affluent enough to spend $78,000 on the entry-level version, and not deterred by the nontraditional ordering and delivery process.
We put a deposit on our R1S in late 2019 and were only able to configure it in late 2022. After a few hiccups on Rivian’s end, we took delivery of the SUV in early March 2023. We were fortunate that our reservation was made so early, because if our R1S was ordered today it would cost $94,500 before adding in the destination charge.