What is it?
If you’ve never heard of Rivian, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise. The California-based electric vehicle company has only been around for a few years, but with more than 50,000 trucks and SUVs sold last year, the company is moving quickly. The company’s first products are the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, and these powerful and stylish EVs received a significant upgrade in technology and performance for the 2025 model year.

Continuing to Evolve
“We continue to evolve our flagship R1 vehicles, offering quality and performance without compromise. Our revamped R1S and R1T push the technical boundaries further, creating our most capable products to date,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO and founder.

R1S Lineup
Rivian offers the R1S in four trim levels: R1S Dual Standard, Dual-Motor, Tri-Motor, and the new Quad-Motor. The base-level Dual Standard starts at around $76,000, while the more powerful Tri-Motor has a base price of around $106,000. Pricing hasn’t been released for the upcoming 1,025-horsepower Quad Motor R1S.

What I Drove
Rivian provided me with a 2025 R1S Tri Max electric SUV painted in Storm Blue – a new color for 2025. In addition to its powerful tri-motor drivetrain, the R1S had an All-Terrain upgrade and an optional camp speaker for a total manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $114,850, including the $1,800 destination charge. All Rivians are built at the brand’s assembly plant in Normal, Illinois.

Styling
All current and future Rivians have a similar look that stands out from anything else on the road. The pill-shaped headlights feature an LED surround with a light bar that spans the hood line to give the R1S a unique look, especially at night. The integrated two hooks and skid plates add to the rugged look.

Rear View
The vertical rear hatch features an LED light bar that stretches across, connecting the tail lights, which gives the Rivian a wide stance. RIVIAN is spelled out in large font across the back, and with the optional Darkout Package on my test vehicle, it stands out in a dark finish.

Powerful Silhouette
With traditional SUV proportions, including a flat roof and vertical front and rear treatment, the R1S has a purposeful look. The All-Terrain package adds special 20-inch wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain tires.

Tri-Motor Drivetrain
As the name implies, the 2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor features a three-motor drivetrain with one motor powering the front wheels and two motors at the rear. Total output is rated at 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, which will move this three-row SUV to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds – a thrill for the whole family. But it does more than win drag races from the stop light – as a utility vehicle, it can tow up to 7,700 pounds or haul 1,984 pounds of cargo.

Efficiency
With the right battery/power combination, the R1S has an EPA estimated range of 410 miles. However, my test vehicle with its tri-motor drivetrain and all-terrain package, is rated at 329 miles of range. The EPA estimates a combined MPGe rating of 68 MPGe. During my drive of the R1S, a 100 percent charge showed a range of 307 miles; however, the cold temperatures of a Michigan winter were the likely culprit for the reduced range. I was easily able to fully charge the R1S overnight with my Level 2 home charger.

Inner Space
The R1S features a clean interior design with virtually no physical controls, and it feels quite futuristic. At the same time, high-end materials are found throughout the cabin. The dashboard features stylish Brown Ash wood trim, while soft vegan synthetic leather covers seats and other surfaces. I especially liked the unique pattern on the floor mats and fabric seatbacks, which add a homey feeling to the SUV. “We wanted to offer a clean, simple aesthetic with these materials, but to do it in a way that still provided some nice contrast and an elevated tactile touch,” says Sophia Park, Color and Materials designer.

Advanced Technology
With no buttons except the two multi-purpose controls on the steering wheel, all vehicle functions are accessed via the 15.6-inch touchscreen at the center of the dashboard. The system is different than others I’ve used, so there was a bit of a learning curve, but with few exceptions, the interface worked quite well, with features and information easy to find. However, Rivian does not offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which could be a deal breaker for many car shoppers.

Too Much Tech?
There were a few items that were made overly complicated by the technology, which caused some frustration. Adjusting the airflow direction from the vents is usually a simple process of just moving the vent. In the Rivian, this requires going into the climate control submenu and using the display screen to drag the airflow to where you want it. Adjusting mirrors and the steering wheel position is also done through the infotainment system, although these are typically set by an owner once without the need to adjust again.

Front Seats
The front seats of the R1S are both stylish and comfortable, with nice bolstering for good support. There’s plenty of storage space between the seats, with a wide-open space below the dashboard that can handle a large bag or purse. Cupholders slide out of the center console, and at the bottom of the console is a removable Bluetooth Camp Speaker. Dual wireless phone chargers are conveniently located within easy reach of the driver and passenger.

Second Row
Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of legroom and headroom with a flat floor that provides an open feeling. Styled like the front seats, the outboard seats are heated and ventilated with audio and climate controls accessed via a display screen in front of the middle position.

Third Row
The second-row outboard seats easily fold and slide out of the way for quick access to the third row. However, the third-row space is tight, and while an adult can sit back there, it’s a better space for small children.

Cargo Space
The rear hatch is split on the R1S, with the lower section opening separately like a tailgate for easy loading. There’s 17.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row with convenient tie-downs to secure the load. Folding the third row expands the space to almost 50 cubic feet, and there’s an additional 5.1 cubic feet in a cubby below the floor.

Frunk
The R1S already has considerable storage space available, but there’s an additional secure space under the hood. The power-operated lid opens to reveal 11.1 cubic feet of space that can easily handle a duffel bag or picnic supplies.

Getting Started in the R1S
Rivian recommends using its phone app for access to vehicle controls as well as the ability to operate as a key. While the app worked well for me – I could warm the SUV’s cabin ahead of my departure, check the available range, and unlock the vehicle – my phone did not consistently work as a key. Instead, I used the key card, which required tapping the door handle to unlock the vehicle and tapping the center console to drive. Rivian does offer the more common proximity key fob for an additional charge.

Very Quick
With 850 horsepower on tap and all-wheel drive, the R1S is unnervingly quick. Not only will it launch from a stop like it’s been squirted out of a bottle, at highway speeds, it will push you back in the seat with a jab of the throttle. There never seemed to be a situation where I didn’t have enough power, whether passing a slower vehicle on a two-lane road or quickly getting up to highway speed.

Manageable Power
As quick as the R1S is, the power is manageable with smooth delivery. Winding my way through town was easy, as the R1S is just as happy moving along at 30 mph as it is at 70. Steering feedback is good with quick response, and the regenerative braking is easy to master, letting up on the throttle to slow the vehicle to a stop with one-pedal driving.

Quiet Cruiser
On the freeway, the R1S proved to be an ideal road trip vehicle. The ride is solid and comfortable, even on Michigan highways that are not always in the best condition. Moving along at 70 mph, the Rivian remained quiet with almost no wind or road noise. Rivian also offers a hands-free adaptive cruise control in certain conditions, and the system worked well for me, keeping the SUV in the center of the lane while maintaining speed and distance from the vehicle ahead.

Good Handling
I was concerned that the all-terrain tires would hinder the Rivian’s handling, but that wasn’t an issue. Pushing the not-so-small SUV on my favorite back roads outside of Dexter, Michigan, the R1S handled itself well, staying flat and stable in the corners while there was always more power on tap. Even when driving on gravel/dirt roads at high speeds, the R1S felt composed, with good traction and a smooth ride.

Rating: 9.0
While I wasn’t a fan of some of Rivian’s tech features, the R1S is an excellent option for consumers looking to get in a premium three-row SUV without sacrificing performance. With its efficient and powerful electric powertrain, standout styling, comfortable interior, and impressive use of space, the 2025 Rivian R1S is a worthy choice in the crowded three-row SUV market segment.

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