Rivian R1S Review: An Electric SUV Built for Real Life

Jul 7

Some cars chase performance stats. Others wrap themselves in luxury. But the Rivian R1S manages to flex quietly in all the right ways. It’s capable, composed, and just plain cool. And honestly, that might be what makes it so good. It’s built like a tank - but like, a sexy, well-behaved tank.

This isn’t going to be a deep dive into kilowatts and torque curves. There are enough EV folks out there already crunching the numbers. It’s a real-world look at what it’s like to live with a vehicle designed for adventure and everyday use. If your lifestyle is equal parts gear and groceries, you’re the target audience here.

The R1S doesn’t pretend to be rugged - it just is. It’s a thoroughly modern, electric SUV with serious off-road potential and real daily usability. From the outside, it’s distinctive without trying too hard. Those iconic vertical headlights are instantly recognizable from a long way off, but the whole design stays clean and is otherwise rather understated. It’s not screaming for attention - it just earns it.

Inside, you get a cabin that feels premium without being delicate. Soft-touch materials, options for real wood trim, and a glass roof that fills the space with light. The soft ambient lighting is customizable too - allowing you to shift the tone from a “warm, tropical sunset’ vibe to ‘luxury lounge’ - depending on how your day went. Does it make the car handle better? No. But it’s the kind of detail that makes driving feel like a premium and pleasant experience.

The front seats? Both heated and ventilated. Which, if you live somewhere warm, is no small thing. Even with a pre-cooled cabin, your seats can easily still feel like a griddle on a hot day. I promise you, if you’ve never tried ‘em…. cooled seats are not to be underestimated.

Storage is where this thing really starts to show its practical side. Yes, there’s the massive trunk and the deep cargo well that lives beneath it. But also: a frunk (front trunk) that swallowed a $400 Costco run this morning without breaking a sweat. Not figuratively - literally. I have the photo. For an EV with serious style, the R1S hauls your stuff like a absolute beast.

For a car of it’s size, driving it is… surprisingly fun. (And yes - there is a difference between ‘fun’ and ‘enjoyable’). There’s plenty of power on tap, but the real magic is in how composed it feels. Heavy in a good way. Planted. Confident. The adaptive suspension smooths out whatever you throw at it - curves, potholes, trail dust. It all just disappears beneath the 22” wheels.

Then there are the quiet flexes: Adaptive headlights that intelligently throw light to stay on high-beam without blinding oncoming traffic. A bright, projected Rivian logo lighting up the ground by the front doors when you approach the car at night. It’s thoughtful tech, not gimmicks.

With an advertised range of 410 miles on a full charge, there is little-to-no range anxiety. That’s a long-ass way, and unlike some EV’s that have rather, let’s say, optimistic claims about range, the Rivian R1S actually seems to get close to its number - at least in my real-world test. And should you ever need to go a great distance between chargers, the built-in nav makes finding a spot easy. You can filter by charging speed, charging brand, and all that good stuff, so you know exactly what you’re going to get before you arrive.

And it gets better. Once you’re there, charging is simple. The R1S uses a standard J1772 connector for Level 1 and 2 charging (I.e. home charging), and a CCS plug for super fast-charging (e.g. Superchargers). Speaking of which, Rivians now have access to the Tesla Supercharger network, plus a bunch of third-party options. Yes, you’ll need a small adapter for Superchargers (and another for some home chargers if you already have one), but the process is plug-and-go. You charge (and get charged) through the Rivian app, and can up sticks and carry on with your journey. Zero drama.

And for those wondering about pets - yes, there's a dedicated mode for them. Similarly to Tesla’s famous dog mode, it keeps the cabin cool while you're away so your four-legged co-pilot stays safe and happy. The app will also tell you if things are beginning to look dicey, so you can get back stat.

Plenty of what you see here also applies to the R1T truck. Same platform, same software, same stylings / design touches. If you’re choosing between them, it mostly comes down to whether you want an enclosed cabin or an open bed. Both are excellent. This review just happens to focus on the R1S.

I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with exhausted parents who swear by the reliability and flexibility of their R1S, and also with rugged, real-world explorers who camp on top of their R1T in the middle of nowhere - far from help and everything else. Really. In the end, Rivian haven’t just built a good electric SUV - they’ve built something that fits into real life - one that bridges rugged and refined without feeling like it compromises either.

Is it pricey? Sure. But the $100 deposit is refundable. And if you're even remotely curious, it’s worth jumping on their site and checking it out.

Check it out on Rivian.com

If you order through the link above, Rivian gives you 500 ‘credits’ ($500 at the time of writing) to use on gear like crossbars, bike racks, or a wall charger - and they toss a few my way too. It doesn’t change your price at all, but it helps support the site and keeps these reviews going. You can also use the code BEN4243823 at checkout.