2022 & 2023 Rivian R1S - Exclusive Ashburn New Car Discounts

Having only been launched late in the 2022 model year cycle, Rivian’s all-electric R1S SUV is unchanged for 2023. It remains a single-trim vehicle with two drive modes and battery packs, while the latest models will be shipped with software updates that 2022 MY owners would have received as over-the-air revisions.

There’s not much to choose from on the 2023 Rivian R1S, with a single body style and trim level, though a more affordable Explore package will follow later this year. In the meantime, you can spend $8,000 upgrading the default Adventure model’s standard dual-motor AWD to a quad-motor system, and a further $6,000 increasing the battery pack.

Prices start at $79,800 including destination for a dual-motor R1S Adventure with the Standard battery, increasing to $93,800 for a model equipped with quad motors and the Large pack.

Rivian is coy about publishing precise power outputs from their AWD powertrains, claiming they’re influenced by everything from tire selection to battery packs. They describe the dual-motor system as generating “more than 600 horsepower” with a comparable figure for torque, while the quad-motor system is boosted to a more clearly defined 835 hp and 908 lb-ft.

Fuel economy stands at an EPA-estimated 69 miles per gallon city, 60 mpg highway, and 64 combined on Standard battery models with 20-inch all-terrain tires, rising to 75/66/71 in Large guise on lower rolling-resistance 21-inchers. The Standard battery pack offers an EPA-estimated range in excess of 260 miles, while the Large version increases this to 321 miles. Both can be charged from a 400V port at up to 220kWh, while a level 2 240V outlet will provide 16 miles of range per hour.

Cargo capacity for the seven-seater R1S stands at 17.6 cu ft with the rear seats in place, and 46.7 cu ft once they’re dropped. There’s also an 11.1-cube frunk.

The most unusual safety feature on the R1S is an animated character who appears on the center display screen, providing a visual warning about the four external cameras which record any unwanted activity outside the vehicle.

This is part of a wider set of ten cameras, five radar units, and a dozen ultrasonic sensors that govern everything from adaptive cruise control and lane change assistance to automatic steering and throttle/braking on highways. There are blind spot and lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning, auto high beams, and even trailer assistance.

A 12.3-inch instrumentation screen and a 15.6-inch touchscreen are the twin pillars on which the R1S’s interior is built. Everything from the power steering wheel and side mirrors to the air vents is controlled through the latter screen, which also includes navigation and WiFi hotspot capabilities.

We love the inclusion of a removable camp speaker but are baffled by the absence of smartphone mirroring, satellite radio, or even AM radio. For these, you’ll need to use the integrated Spotify or TuneIn apps; at least their output should be impressive through the 23-speaker Meridian sound system fitted as standard to Adventure models.

It makes no difference to the specification level which drivetrain or battery you opt for, so every R1S is equally well-equipped. A recycled microfiber headliner surrounds a panoramic sunroof, illuminating a cabin that also incorporates ash wood trim, hose-down flooring, and eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Like the front passenger seat, this is heated and ventilated, while every seat is shod in vegan leather upholstery. Other creature comforts include a power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, and air suspension which can add 6.5 inches onto the R1S’s ground clearance, while the cargo area includes an air compressor, split tailgate, and twin 120V power outlets.

There are no options on the R1S.

Compare R1S Trims Side-By-Side