I should note right away that this is not a test drive in the classic sense. But this is a very detailed review of the electric car, which turned out to be really worth it. Because Rivian R1S can pleasantly surprise you in literally every detail. For example...
Externally: branded design, high-tech platform
Creating an immediately eye-catching and memorable design is a rare thing for new car companies. But Rivian has succeeded: I'm talking about the elliptical headlights and the horizontal stripe between them, which continues on the front fenders. Thanks to this solution, the Rivian R1S SUV is immediately memorable and visually devoid of aggression. But thanks to its classic silhouette, it seems to be full of inner strength and self-confidence: large surface areas, a massive roof pillar, and an almost flat rear end all work to create this perception.
As well as the considerable size of the electric vehicle. You can probably tell from the photos that the Rivian R1S is quite large. However, it is hardly possible to really realize its dimensions: length - about 5.1 meters; width - 2.08 meters; height - 1.96 meters; wheelbase - 3.076 meters. For a better understanding: the Rivian R1S electric car is larger than the usual Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7, it has almost reached the size of the BMW X7. Although, taking into account the American pedigree, in this case, we should mention the Chevrolet Tahoe. After all, the Rivian R1S is the same American full-size, but now it is electric.
TheRivian R1SSUV demonstrates the classic proportions of a large SUV: a clearly divided 2-volume body, a flat hood, a horizontal roofline, and an almost vertical boot lid at the rear. Vertical headlights and two horizontal stripes on the front and rear are the first details you notice and remember. But in fact, there are many interesting details: the air duct behind the wheel arch and the camera next to it (10 cameras in total around the body perimeter), black and silver 22-inch wheels, door handles that hide into the body level. The hood lid has an electric opening drive; under it is a trunk niche with a volume of about 300 liters. Moreover, this volume is divided in half by a shelf that can be raised and fixed with a magnet: a nice little thing! The charging port is located in the front corner, on the driver's side. It is a port called CC S Combo 1: a combination of a SAE J1772 port for AC (accepts about 11 kW) and contacts for "fast charging" with DC (accepts about 200 kW on a constant basis). The electric vehicle Rivian R1S can cross wades up to 1 meter deep, has entry/exit angles of 35.8/34.4 degrees, and its standard ground clearance of 206 mm is easily increased to 365 mm thanks to the air suspension.
By the way, a fully independent multi-lever suspension with pneumatic cylinders is one of the mandatory components of the branded skateboard platform. Another mandatory element of this platform is all-wheel drive, which is realized by several electric motors: Rivian has announced two-, three-, and even four-motor all-wheel drive for the R1S model, when one electric motor is provided for each wheel. However, the latter option is still in the "pre-order" stage; but the two- and three-engine versions of the Rivian R1S are actually available for purchase.
In addition to the number of engines, you can also choose the battery capacity. For the first copies of the Rivian R1S, batteries with a capacity of 105 and up to 180 kWh were announced; some sources claimed that in the latter case, the electric car had to be deprived of the third row of seats, as additional battery cells were placed there. However, over several years of evolution - after all, Rivian R1S was first announced in the fall of 2018; serial production began at the very end of 2021; the MAX PACK version was launched in 2023; recently updated (changed electric motors and batteries) and now the production of the 2025 model year versions is starting - the available model options have been constantly revised.
For example, this particular Rivian R1S electric car, which became the hero of the publication, is presented in the Rivian R1S Performance Dual Max Adventure Package. This means the following: Dual all-wheel drive with two electric motors; Performance version (490 kW or 665 hp and additional driving modes); the largest Max battery with a range of up to 400 miles or 644 km (ERA); Adventure package with additional equipment. The result is the maximum possible range for the Rivian R1S and a price of $147 thousand (in Ukraine).
Because the larger Max battery is an option for $16 thousand (the price of a small car, yeah...); the Performance package is another $5 thousand. Do you want different wheels with off-road tires, do you want black logos instead of chrome? Then you'll pay $3700 for the wheels and another $1000 for the black logos. Well, somehow; now Rivian is very expensive, to put it mildly...
The feature of all "big" Rivians - the Rivian R1S SUV and the Rivian R1T pickup - is a skateboard platform, which implies an almost frame construction and installation of all key elements (battery, electric motors, gearboxes) at the level of this frame. There are variants with two, three, four electric motors; several battery options are also available. With the latter, a real detective comes out: it seems that the company has abandoned the largest 180-kilowatt-hour battery; instead, they improved the chemical structure of the cells of the medium-sized battery - thus, its capacity was increased from 135 to 149 kWh (141-142 is actually used) while maintaining a 400-mile range and a 7-seater cabin. Speaking of the interior...
Inside: a master of transformation and beautiful finishing materials
When you first look at the interior of the Rivian R1S electric car, you get the same impression as with the design: it looks quite modern and good, but it doesn't seem to be anything special. That's because it's not a photo that can convey tactile sensations and aromas. After all, in the Rivian R1S cabin, you can smell the expensive leather that covers the seats and draws interesting patterns thanks to the curly stitching and stripes. Your hands can also feel the real wood structure on the front panel and the coldness of the metallized surfaces. For example, a large 15.6-inch central display is surrounded by such a metallized frame. And when you put your hand on it with the thought "well, here's another tablet," suddenly your fingers feel pleasantly cool and a completely different thought comes to mind: "wow, this is a thing!"; that is, you get the feeling that it is made strongly and reliably.
There are almost no protruding physical controls; everything is reduced to a pair of switches under the steering wheel and round drums on the spokes of the same steering wheel. The right switch under the steering wheel selects the direction of travel with the usual P-R-N-D positions, as well as activates the semi-automatic driving system. The left steering wheel switch controls the wipers and headlights as well as the direction indicators. The small drums on the steering wheel spokes are, as you might expect, responsible for small settings, such as the volume of the audio system. Everything is simple and logical. Just like the color scheme of the central display menu: light "milky" color, gray or black lettering, minimum distracting graphics, maximum performance.
The interior of the Rivian R1S is not the first thing to catch your eye, but rather its materials: stitched leather and solid dark gray wood. A separate 12.3-inch display acts as a dashboard for the driver; the central 15.6-inch display allows you to control all the settings of the electric vehicle, view navigation and images from the surround view cameras, select the desired climate temperature, and more. There is a bag shelf and an armrest with a hidden niche between the front seats.
The rear of the cabin deserves special attention. It all starts with the large doors that provide excellent access to the rear sofa. The latter can be adjusted to your liking: it can be slid back and forth and the backrest can be adjusted. Above your head, there is a great amount of space and a glass roof; in front of your knees, there is a great amount of space and additional pockets on the backs of the front seats. Please note (below in the photos) how these pockets are made: with an elastic band and hooks that hold it. This allows you to catch and fix the flat panel of the pocket, or to "open" it more to place things of any shape inside. A little higher up on the front seat headrests, there's a familiar clothes hook, but with an additional USB-C port: this means you can install a gadget clip and recharge the same gadget.
There is a center console between the front seats, which culminates in ventilation deflectors for the rear passengers and a separate 6.8-inch display: this is a real media climate center! Thanks to the display, you can control the audio system (radio or connected player), select the climate control temperature, and turn on the rear seat heating. Plus, there are many other small functions: controlling the interior lights, locking the doors, and wireless connections. You may say that all this is unnecessary? Well, then ask your teenage children or family members who often ride behind you what they think.
There is also a third row of seats and a large trunk. Of course, the third row of seats cannot boast the amenities of the second, but given the considerable size of the Rivian R1S electric car, there is still more or less enough space for real (not nominal) seating. In addition, it is worth noting the side deflectors and armrests, which hide another pleasant surprise - they open and give access to a niche for small items. The trunk also has several additional compartments, movable locks, even additional sockets and a compressor (the latter is an option depending on the configuration). Speaking of the trunk, almost 500 liters of useful volume is promised, even with the third row of seats raised. Of course, this is a nuance of the American "ceiling" measurement; but even visually, the trunk is really large.
The second row of seats is gorgeous: still beautifully finished, excellent legroom and headroom, and maximum comfort. The third row of seats - it simply exists; although it is not deprived of the possibility of actual use due to a more or less sufficient supply of space. The trunk is equipped with a two-piece lid: the upper part is habitually lifted up, the lower part is folded down and acts as an additional shelf. Numerous niches, clamps, sockets, and ventilation deflectors are provided everywhere: just when you think I need this and that, it's probably there.
Conclusion: first look, first impressions, first thoughts
Trying to form my own impressions of the first acquaintance with the Rivian R1S electric car, I caught and clearly formed two main thoughts for myself. Firstly, the Rivian R1S electric car is very well thought out - in every detail, in every element; miracle ergonomics masters worked here. Secondly, it offers high quality finishing materials - leather and stitching, wood and other decor.
It seems that the Rivian R1S electric car is designed for those people who are tired of flirting with minimalism and eco-materials for premium money, who think in terms of general car values; however, they still want to try electric drive and high technology. We hope that Rivian will continue to develop its other models - the new Rivian R2 and Rivian R3 - in this direction, and they will be successful. And, accordingly, we will be waiting for new meetings with surprisingly interesting and pleasant Rivian electric vehicles.
