I got to drive Rivian's new R1S, an electric SUV that combines three fantasy cars into one stylish package.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 | Chimniii Desk
- The R1S is the second consumer vehicle produced by Rivian, an electric vehicle startup based in California.
- According to Rivian, the SUV generates 835 horsepower and accelerates to 60 mph in three seconds.
It's really challenging to launch a new automobile firm from beginning. Arriving on the scene with vehicles that can persuade people to part with their hard-earned money to an unproven upstart is a completely different task.
That's exactly what Rivian, an electric vehicle startup based in California, has managed to do twice: once with the ground-breaking R1T pickup truck that was introduced in September and again with the R1S, a fantastic large SUV that should begin shipping to those who have made reservations in August.
The R1S should be at the top of your list if you're looking for an electric car that can serve as a comfortable family hauler, exhilarating sports car, and off-road adventurer all in one. It is a multitool in the form of a car that has been meticulously built, is jam-packed with intriguing features, and is incredibly capable both on and off the road.
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The Rivian R1S
The second consumer model from Rivian, which specialises in tough, high-end EVs for outdoor enthusiasts, is the R1S. In the end, a simple, dual-motor version will cost $72,500. But the company's first vehicle, which I drove at a gathering last month, has four motors and costs $90,000.
The R1S has many similarities to the R1T pickup from the same company, but forgoes the truck bed in favour of a third row of seats and a huge cargo compartment. When completely charged, according to the EPA, it can carry seven people and go up to 316 miles. It is one of the electric vehicles with the longest range currently available.
How is driving like?
It seems impossible that a large, 7,000-pound SUV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds. However, Rivian asserts that the quad-motor R1S's 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque enable it to perform exactly as claimed. When you push the accelerator, the SUV immediately accelerates with a quiet quickness that belies its enormous bulk.
The R1S excels most when used off the beaten road. I put it to the test on a difficult terrain with sharp rocks, water crossings, and extremely steep hills, and the R1S easily cleared every challenge. The R1S rarely struggles to get traction because to an advanced all-wheel-drive system (with one motor controlling each wheel separately). To lift large rocks, all that torque is helpful.
Additionally, the R1S makes tackling trails foolproof with a variety of off-road drive modes that adjust the suspension, throttle, and ride height for various sorts of terrain.
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How does the inside look?
The R1S feels roomy and luxurious inside. Its price puts it on par with SUVs from BMW, Audi, and Cadillac, emphasising both comfort and capability.
The Launch-Edition cars I rode had luxurious imitation leather seats and wood accents on the doors, dash, and other areas. The feeling of openness is enhanced by two panoramic sunroofs.
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The R1S's cabin is also practical and adaptable. Adults can surprisingly use the third row. The second and third seats can be folded down to make room for a twin bed in the flat-floored cargo area. There are numerous small storage cubbies and USB-C connectors around the cabin, so no one is in need of a place to charge their phone.
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People who prefer traditional buttons and knobs may not enjoy the SUV's large, 15.6-inch touchscreen (like me). It can be challenging to change settings while driving because almost all basic functions of the car—including where the air vents are located—run through the screen.
Rivian, though, deserves credit for making the primary display and digital gauge cluster both simple to use and gorgeous to look at.
Details matter a lot.
Rivian seized the chance to design a car from scratch and ran with it, choosing to eschew pointless standards and instead include a tonne of unique features that aren't present in every EV.
The driver door has a place for a built-in flashlight that is always charging. For camping or tailgating, a wireless speaker/lantern combo slides out from under the centre console. Gear Guard is a handy function that uses numerous cameras to monitor the area surrounding the SUV and logs any suspicious activity.
Some variants have an integrated air compressor that enables owners to quickly pump up air mattresses or tyres. Cargo space is increased by a frunk.
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Our perceptions
A starting price of $70,000 or more is not cheap. However, my brief experience with the SUV convinced me that it offers the best of both worlds in terms of daily utility, off-road prowess, and on-road performance. Its closest competitor in the EV market, the $121,000 Tesla Model X, isn't designed for off-road driving.
The fact that thousands of preorders for the R1S are still being processed and that fresh orders won't be filled until late 2023 shows that I'm not the only one who loves it. That gets me to its worst flaw: It's so alluring that even if you tried right now, you couldn't buy one.
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