The 2025 Rivian R1S emerges not as a mere refresh, but as a significantly enhanced electric SUV, building upon the foundation laid by its 2022 predecessor. While the exterior of this midsize three-row SUV retains its familiar silhouette, a deep dive reveals a wealth of software and mechanical upgrades that make the 2025 R1S a compelling contender in the EV market, especially for those prioritizing range and performance.
The Rivian R1S, aptly named to denote its brand, midsize classification, and SUV body style, comes standard with all-wheel drive and offers a choice of dual, tri, or quad electric motor configurations. The Dual-Motor variant is currently available, with the more powerful Tri- and Quad-Motor models slated to join the lineup in the coming months.
One of the most significant highlights of the 2025 Rivian R1S is its extended range, reaching up to an impressive 420 miles on a single charge. This positions the R1S as a leader in the current EV landscape, offering a blend of competitive features, robust performance, and a range that alleviates range anxiety for potential EV adopters.
During a week-long test drive, the 665-horsepower Performance Dual Motor version, equipped with the long-range battery, showcased the R1S’s capabilities and hinted at the real-world range potential of this updated model.
2025 Rivian R1S Trim Levels and Pricing: A Range of Options
Rivian offers the 2025 R1S in a variety of trim levels, catering to different performance and range needs, reflected in the pricing structure:
- Dual-Motor standard pack: $75,900
- Dual-Motor large pack: $82,900
- Dual-Motor max pack: $89,900
- Tri-Motor max pack (available late 2024): $105,900
- Quad-Motor Max Pack (available in early 2025): TBA
Note: Prices exclude a $1,800 destination charge.
What’s New Under the Hood? Major Upgrades to Enhance Range and Efficiency
While the 2025 R1S maintains its recognizable appearance, Rivian emphasizes that over half of its physical hardware has been revamped. These updates, encompassing the body, suspension, battery, and electrical systems, represent a substantial engineering effort. Rivian even temporarily halted production at its Illinois assembly plant to implement these upgrades, which are aimed at reducing manufacturing costs and streamlining complexity.
Close-up of the Rivian headlight and front of the car, showcasing its updated design.
The exterior lighting has been subtly refined, featuring multicolor LED light bars that visually indicate charging progress. Furthermore, a future over-the-air (OTA) update will enable the matrix beam headlights to intelligently adjust high beams, directing light away from oncoming traffic while maximizing illumination.
A key innovation lies in the new electrical architecture, which has allowed Rivian to significantly reduce complexity. This redesign resulted in the elimination of 1.6 miles of wiring, a weight reduction of 44 pounds, and a consolidation from 17 onboard computers to just seven. Such reductions in complexity and parts are typically associated with entirely new vehicle generations, making these updates to the 2-year-old R1S particularly noteworthy.
This advanced electrical architecture has garnered significant industry attention, evidenced by Volkswagen’s $5 billion investment in Rivian for access to this technology. VW plans to leverage Rivian’s expertise in deploying this technology across its brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, and others.
Rivian also promises future OTA updates to enhance driving assistance features, including automated lane changes for highway driving.
Key New Features of the 2025 Rivian R1S:
- Extended Range: Up to 420 miles, solidifying its position as a long-range EV.
- Faster Charging: Improved charging speeds for quicker replenishment.
- Reengineered Suspension: Enhanced ride comfort and handling dynamics.
- 10x Faster Processing: Significantly upgraded computing power for advanced features and responsiveness.
- New Electrical Architecture: Streamlined and more efficient electrical system.
- Oil-Cooled Electric Motors: Improved thermal management for enhanced performance and range, especially in demanding conditions.
Range, Performance, and Price: Decoding the 2025 R1S Specs
The 2025 Rivian R1s Range starts from an estimated 258 miles and extends to a class-leading 420 miles, depending on the chosen battery pack and motor configuration.
The base Dual-Motor R1S, priced from $75,900, delivers 533 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph acceleration in a respectable 4.5 seconds. The tested Performance Dual-Motor Max range variant boasts an impressive 410-mile range on a full charge and significantly enhanced performance figures.
For those seeking even greater power, the Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor variants introduce a new engine pack. The Tri-Motor configuration features 850 horsepower and 1,103 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds, priced at $105,900. The flagship Quad-Motor R1S elevates performance further with 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque, achieving sub-2.5-second 0-60 mph times, with pricing to be announced.
Rivian’s in-house designed and manufactured oil-cooled motors contribute to both performance and range. The oil cooling system effectively manages heat during demanding activities like off-roading and improves efficiency for extended highway driving range.
The R1S offers versatile charging compatibility, supporting both Tesla’s NACS terminals and CCS connectors, the industry standard for fast-charging networks. Rivian also operates its own charging network, strategically located near popular trailheads, catering to the R1S’s off-road capabilities. Charging times from 10% to 80% range from 30 to 41 minutes, contingent on battery size.
Selected Competitors in the Electric SUV Segment:
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Kia EV9
- Tesla Model X
- Volvo EX90
- VW ID.4
Driving Impressions: Refinement and Performance on Display
The updated air suspension in the 2025 R1S delivers a noticeable improvement in ride smoothness and handling compared to its predecessor. The Performance Dual-Motor variant showcases brisk acceleration and inspires confidence in achieving its projected range under mixed driving conditions.
The large, clear touchscreen interface manages most vehicle functions and proves surprisingly intuitive to use. Paired with new high-resolution cameras, it provides excellent 360-degree views and clear graphics, enhancing the overall user experience. While some drivers may prefer physical controls, the touchscreen system in the R1S is well-executed and easy to adapt to.
Areas for Potential Improvement: Addressing Minor Drawbacks
Despite the comprehensive upgrades, there are a few areas where the R1S could be further improved:
- Third-row legroom: Remains limited, best suited for children or shorter adults.
- Fixed Sunroof: While Rivian claims effective heat rejection, the sunroof’s inner surface can become hot in direct sunlight, and a sunshade option would be a welcome addition.
- Phone-as-Key Reliability: Inconsistent performance was noted with the phone-as-key feature during testing.
- Lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: The absence of phone mirroring limits integration with smartphone ecosystems.
Why Choose a 2025 Rivian R1S? A Unique Blend of Range and Capability
The 2025 Rivian R1S stands out in the electric SUV market with its unique combination of speed, sophistication, and long-range capability. The front and second rows offer ample comfort, while the third row provides serviceable space.
The 2025 updates solidify the R1S as a leader in both performance and range within the EV segment. Combined with its demonstrated off-road prowess (though not tested in this review), the Rivian R1S presents a uniquely compelling electric SUV for buyers seeking a versatile and high-performing vehicle with exceptional range.
2025 Rivian R1S: Quick Specs Overview
Category: All-wheel drive three-row midsize electric SUV
Base Price: $75,900 (excluding $1,800 destination charge)
Model Tested: Performance Dual-Motor
Price as Tested: $89,900
Powertrain: Dual electric motors (one per axle)
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive
Output: 665 hp; 829 pound-feet of torque @ 3,000-5,500 rpm
Estimated Range: 410 miles
Battery Capacity: 149 kWh
Charging Time (DC Fast Charging, 10-80%): 30-40 minutes (battery dependent); 140 miles in 20 minutes
Wheelbase: 121.1 inches
Length: 200.8 inches
Width: 82 inches (without mirrors), 87.1 inches (with mirrors)
Height: 77.3 inches (maximum with air suspension)
Cargo Room: 9.9 cubic feet (front trunk); 48.6 cubic feet (behind second-row seat); 105.8 cubic feet (behind front seats)
0-60 mph Acceleration: 3.4 seconds
Towing Capacity: 7,700 pounds
Assembly Location: Normal, Illinois
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter *@**mark_phelan*. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
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