The Rivian R1T is a massively popular electric truck with great capability, and the newer R1S SUV brings many of the same attractive features and exclusivity in a more family-friendly format. The SUV retains the staggering acceleration and off-road capability of the truck, just with more space for people and gear.

What’s New for the 2023 Rivian R1S

Rivian shuffled the trim lineup for 2023 and bumped the base battery’s range estimate to 321 miles. Two new drive modes are also on deck, including a unique sand mode.

Design

The R1S follows the R1T’s look in the front, bringing a clean design with unique headlights and few logos or badges. The rest of the exterior design features clean lines, and Rivian offers several wheel and color upgrades to allow a high level of customization for exterior finishes and the overall look.

Powertrain

The 2023 R1S comes standard with a dual-motor powertrain producing 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded powertrain is a quad-motor setup making 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes with both powertrain options, giving the R1S surprising grip and poise, especially off-road. Acceleration is fierce no matter how it’s set up, making the R1S a hot-rod SUV for folks who want brutal power and the ability to win almost any drag race in their family SUV.

The SUV’s range can reach up to 390 miles with the available 180-kWh battery pack, but even the smaller packs offer 321 and 260 miles of range.

Interior

The R1S seats up to seven people, depending on the configuration, and synthetic leather comes standard. Other standard features include heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and more. There is good space for adults across both the first and second rows, but the third-row seat isn’t as accommodating or as nicely padded as the other two rows.

Technology

Rivian doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but its in-house system does a good job integrating with smartphones. Navigation, a 22-speaker sound system, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, a removable Bluetooth speaker, and many other desirable features come as standard equipment.

Safety

The R1S earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which includes top scores across the board. It also earned a “Good” score in the new side-crash test and picked up solid scores in all other categories. Rivian includes several advanced driver aids, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, lane-departure alerts, and more.

Pricing

The base R1S Adventure starts at $78,000, but Rivian offers a myriad of options and upgrades to push that price higher. The automaker also makes available powertrain upgrades, including a performance dual-motor setup and a quad-motor powertrain option for $8,000. Buyers can also opt for a range of premium paint colors and wheel upgrades.