The verdict
A capable full-size luxury suv, strong on performance and held back by ownership.
Overall 2.70 (B-) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is performance & powertrain at 4.00 (A+), its weakest cost of ownership at 0.00 (F). 8 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Performance & Powertrain
- Value & Market Position
- Use-Case Fit
What holds it back
- Cost of Ownership
- Reliability & Quality
- Space & Comfort
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Rivian R1S
3.32B+
Lucid GravityFull-Size Luxury SUVBetter at: Range and comfortThe closest direct rival — more range, faster charging and a roomier, more comfortable cabin for similar money, if you can live without the off-road hardware.
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2.96B-
Kia EV9Mid-Size SUVBetter at: ValueDelivers the same seven-seat electric package for roughly $25,000 less, with a stronger warranty and a real dealer network to service it.
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2.64C+
Volvo EX90Mid-Size Luxury SUVBetter at: Ride refinementMatches the R1S's IIHS Top Safety Pick+ while riding quieter and softer, and it still offers CarPlay and a conventional luxury cabin.
CompareSubject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 90 | 68 | 80 | 68 | 16 | 46 | 73 | 75 | 73 | 73 |
| 2025 | 93 | 67 | 83 | 70 | 34 | 40 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 85 |
| 2024 | 92 | 72 | 74 | 67 | 24 | 42 | 70 | 78 | 74 | 81 |
| 2023 | 96 | 63 | 81 | 65 | 19 | 48 | 71 | 76 | 76 | 80 |
| 2022 | 92 | 63 | 83 | 68 | 33 | 44 | 70 | 75 | 77 | 77 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainThe R1S's best-graded category.4.00A+
The representative Adventure Dual-Motor Large Pack uses Rivian's standard 533-hp dual-motor system. Two substantially stronger factory powertrains were also offered for 2024.
The volume Dual-Motor configuration produces 610 lb-ft immediately, already beyond the upper end of the SUV normalization band.
At 4.5 seconds, the standard dual-motor R1S is exceptionally quick for a large seven-seat SUV without requiring the performance upgrade.
The two in-house Enduro motors deliver immediate, quiet and linear thrust, and the rear motor reconnects promptly when acceleration is requested. A light driveline engagement sensation reported by some reviewers keeps it just short of flawless.
Single-speed direct drive eliminates shifts and gear hunting, giving the R1S seamless acceleration. The only driveline state change is the automatic rear-motor disconnect used to improve cruising efficiency.
A 7,700-pound maximum is near the top of the SUV scoring band and unusually useful for an electric luxury SUV.
Every 2024 R1S has AWD, with active front/rear torque management, brake-based wheel control and multiple terrain modes. Quad-Motor versions add true individual-wheel torque vectoring.
Standard adjustable air suspension, exceptional clearance and geometry, deep-water capability and dedicated terrain software make this one of the most credible factory off-road luxury SUVs. Quad-Motor and available underbody protection further raise the ceiling.
Although EV-only, the 2024 range spans Dual-Motor, Performance Dual-Motor and Quad-Motor systems plus Standard, Large and Max battery choices. That is meaningful performance and range breadth, but there is no hybrid or combustion alternative.
2Efficiency & RangeGrades above the middle of the scale.2.88B-
The volume Dual-Motor Large Pack with its standard 21-inch wheels is EPA-rated at 78 MPGe combined. Its large frontal area and mass make efficiency merely average among EVs despite excellent range.
Regenerative braking helps the heavy R1S reach 82 MPGe in the EPA city cycle, though lighter EV crossovers are substantially more efficient.
The EPA highway figure is 74 MPGe, a respectable result for a tall, full-size seven-seat EV but not an efficiency benchmark.
The representative Large Pack configuration delivers a strong 352-mile EPA range, while the optional Max Pack extends the 2024 lineup to 400 miles.
A roughly 220-kW peak was competitive in 2024, but the 400-volt system cannot sustain class-leading rates as long as the best 800-volt rivals.
Contemporary 2024 references quote 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent for the Gen-1 Large Pack. That is useful but trails the quickest 800-volt EVs by roughly ten minutes.
EPA estimates $950 per year in electricity, far below the fuel bill of a comparable gasoline full-size luxury SUV despite the R1S's modest EV efficiency.
Electricity eliminates premium-gas expense, and overnight Level 2 charging is practical for owners with home charging. The very large battery and merely average DC curve make public-only charging less convenient and more costly than for a smaller, more efficient EV.
3SafetyGrades above the middle of the scale.3.04B
NHTSA has not published an overall NCAP rating for the 2024 R1S. The required numeric value is conservatively estimated at 4 stars from the published 4-star rollover result and strong IIHS crashworthiness, and must not be read as an official NHTSA overall score.
The 2024 R1S earned Top Safety Pick and Good results in the small-overlap, original moderate-overlap, and updated side tests. Its Marginal updated moderate-overlap result, driven by rear-passenger protection, prevents a higher award-tier score.
Driver+ provides the full core suite on the volume Dual-Motor trim: AEB, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning/keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. Rear automatic braking and Highway Assist further broaden standard coverage.
Standard pedestrian AEB performed well in most day and night scenarios, including several complete avoidances, but IIHS rated it Acceptable rather than the top grade. Residual impact speeds in the harder child and nighttime tests keep it below the high band.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning are standard, and turn-signal activation adds a live blind-spot camera view. Standard rear automatic braking adds intervention while reversing, though Rivian does not document trailer-aware blind-spot extension or active blind-spot steering.
Lane Keeping Assist supplies brief corrective steering, while Highway Assist can continuously center the R1S on selected highways. The mapped-road limitation and mixed owner/reviewer reports about confidence and curve behavior place it below polished class leaders.
Full-speed adaptive cruise and Highway Assist are well integrated and can stop and automatically resume in traffic. Highway Assist is restricted to compatible roads and the manual warns of unnecessary braking or disengagement under adverse conditions, limiting its refinement score.
The first-generation 2024 R1S has no hands-free driving mode. Highway Assist explicitly requires the driver to keep hands on the steering wheel, unlike the hands-free systems offered by several luxury-SUV rivals.
All trims use the same Good-rated LED projector headlights with automatic high beams. Illumination was strong, glare stayed within limits, and there is no lower-trim penalty, although the lights are not curve-adaptive.
The upright seating position, tall windows, and squared body give unusually good natural sightlines for a full-size SUV. A standard 10-camera surround-view system and multiple display angles compensate when the vehicle's size creates close-range blind zones.
IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Good, with four complete rear LATCH positions plus another tether-only position. The spacious three-row cabin supports multiple seats, although an installed second-row seat can complicate access to the third row.
4Space & ComfortOne of the R1S's weakest categories.2.53C+
Every 2024 R1S configuration has three-row seating for seven.
The panoramic-roof cabin provides generous front headroom.
Front legroom is adequate but modest for a full-size luxury SUV.
The upright roof leaves excellent second-row headroom.
The sliding second row is flexible, but its measured legroom is only mid-pack.
Adults can fit for shorter journeys, and they receive vents, USB-C ports, cupholders and storage; 32.8 inches of legroom and knees-up seating limit long-trip comfort.
With row three folded, the R1S has useful cargo room but trails the largest full-size SUVs.
Folding both rear rows creates an exceptionally large, nearly flat cargo floor.
A washable frunk, underfloor storage, split tailgate, deep console, fold-flat rows, outlets and onboard accessory power make the R1S a storage standout despite lacking a glovebox.
The power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats remain tolerable over a long day, but flat cushions and limited support across all rows fall short of luxury leaders.
Air suspension offers broad height adjustment, but the first-generation R1S remains stiff and jumpy on rough pavement, even after an OTA tuning improvement.
Electric propulsion removes combustion noise, but highway wind noise, tire roar and some low-speed motor whine keep the cabin below luxury-SUV standards.
Heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats and steering wheel, four-zone climate, rear vents and remote preconditioning form a rich package.
5Cost of OwnershipThe R1S's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The 2024 entry configuration was the Adventure Dual-Motor Standard Pack at $74,900 before destination. This is the original 2022-generation vehicle; 2024 broadened the lineup with Rivian-built dual motors and smaller battery choices rather than introducing the 2025-generation redesign.
The Dual-Motor Large Pack is the representative volume configuration: it pairs the standard 533-hp AWD system with the more road-trip-appropriate battery without the Performance or Quad-Motor premiums. Published trim recommendations from both Edmunds and Car and Driver select this configuration for most buyers.
Routine EV service is inexpensive, but this heavy, powerful SUV can consume costly tires and its complex air suspension creates some out-of-warranty exposure. The estimate combines the vehicle-specific Edmunds maintenance and repair projections rather than insurance, energy, financing, or taxes.
Edmunds projects substantial dollar depreciation but approximately half of MSRP retained after five years. The estimate is based on a higher-spec 2024 Performance Dual-Motor Max Pack, so 52% is used as the best available model-year proxy for the volume Dual-Motor Large Pack.
The volume Dual-Motor R1S receives a four-year comprehensive warranty, matching the conventional luxury-brand norm but trailing the five-year coverage Rivian gave 2024 Quad-Motor configurations.
Eight years is typical in duration for an EV battery warranty, while the unusually high 150,000-mile cap is a meaningful advantage. Rivian also covers degradation of 30% or more during the warranty period.
Rivian included roadside support during the comprehensive-warranty period and useful connected/app features, but no complimentary scheduled-maintenance plan or durable public-charging credit accompanied a normal purchase. That places it in the rubric's no-complimentary-maintenance band despite low routine EV service needs.
$83,800 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (52% retained, or about $43,576) leaves about $40,224 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,450 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $43,674 in total.
6Reliability & QualityOne of the R1S's weakest categories.0.77F
Consumer Reports rates the 2024 R1S less reliable than other vehicles from the same model year, while J.D. Power does not publish a model-level quality or dependability score for it. That direct survey result puts this firmly in the below-average band despite strong owner affection for the vehicle.
Rivian had only the R1 family from which to establish a record and ranked last in Consumer Reports' 2024 reliability survey. This is the opposite of the multi-year, top-five dependability history required for a high score.
Six NHTSA campaigns now apply to the 2024 R1S, including seat-belt anchorage/retractor and rear toe-link fastener defects; several could reduce occupant protection or increase crash risk. Some campaigns are narrow or service-induced, and the 2024 label and headlamp fixes were comparatively minor, which keeps the score above the severe systemic-failure floor.
The volume 2024 Dual-Motor uses Rivian's in-house Enduro drive units, which entered R1 production only in 2023, so it lacks meaningful high-mileage history. There is no established widespread drive-unit failure pattern, but the suspect-cell battery replacement campaign prevents treating this young powertrain as cleanly proven.
The Adventure cabin's vegan leather, real wood trim, panoramic glass and clean display integration look and feel appropriately premium, while retaining durable, washable surfaces for its outdoor brief. It is richly finished for the price, though rivals such as the BMW iX deliver a still more sumptuous luxury-car environment.
The 2024 build is generally solid and visibly improved from the earliest R1 vehicles, but owner and reviewer evidence still includes misalignment, rattles, software glitches and delivery-quality corrections. That is acceptable startup-era assembly rather than the consistently tight finish expected from an established $80,000 luxury SUV.
Rivian's direct-sales network and mobile service can handle many routine repairs, but the 2024 footprint remained sparse compared with any established luxury brand and owners frequently reported long appointment waits. Coverage is workable around major metros and weak across large rural areas.
R1-specific body, electronic and high-voltage parts remain largely OEM- and certified-shop-dependent, with little aftermarket depth and costly calibration or structural work. Rivian's own repair-cost examples are far above normal parts pricing, making post-warranty ownership and collision repair a material risk.
7Technology & InfotainmentGrades above the middle of the scale.2.71B-
The large landscape center display is standard across the 2024 lineup.
The polished, logical interface became responsive through OTA updates, but moving mirrors, vents and most climate functions into the screen creates needless distraction.
The 2024 R1S offers neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto, wired or wireless.
Alexa voice commands are useful and native navigation supports EV routing, but reviewers find the maps less usable than leading systems and phone projection is unavailable as a fallback.
The 1,200-watt Elevation system is powerful and received software improvements, but contemporary owner and reviewer sentiment is mixed and it lacks the consistent acclaim of top branded systems.
A crisp 12.3-inch dedicated driver display is standard and shows navigation and assistance status, though customization is limited.
Regular whole-vehicle OTA releases improve suspension and core software and add meaningful features, not merely map data.
The polished app serves as a digital key and manages locks, climate, charging, vehicle monitoring, navigation handoff and service.
USB-C access in all rows, wireless charging, 12-V power and multiple 120-V outlets with 1.5-kW shared output are exceptional.
Phone-as-key, proximity locking and unlocking, app controls, key-card/fob alternatives and powered cargo closures provide comprehensive keyless access.
A multi-angle surround-view system and ultrasonic sensors materially help with the large body, though there is no automated parking and image quality is not class-leading.
No head-up display was offered on the 2024 R1S.
8Use-Case FitOne of the R1S's strongest categories.3.32B+
Wide rear doors, kneel mode, flexible seating, four complete LATCH positions and ample cargo make family loading easy, though a child seat can complicate third-row access.
The 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick combines strong crashworthiness with broad standard collision-avoidance equipment across configurations.
Four-zone climate, all-row device power, a frunk and large cargo area work well for four or five, but flat seats, a busy ride and limited third-row legroom weaken seven-person touring.
Smooth instant torque, strong one-pedal operation, kneel mode and light steering reduce effort; the wide body, touch-only controls and abrupt low-speed regen remain annoyances.
Home charging keeps energy cost reasonable and the Dual Large improves substantially over the Quad, but 78 MPGe and heavy, expensive tires are unimpressive among EVs.
Light steering, a roughly 40-foot turning diameter and surround cameras help, but the 200.8-inch length and 81.8-inch body width still demand care in cities.
A 7,700-pound tow rating, 533-hp dual-motor AWD, air suspension and 104.7-cu-ft maximum rear hold make it a serious SUV workhorse, albeit without a pickup bed.
The capable chassis and stain-resistant synthetic interior appear stout, but in 2024 this remained a young startup product without a long fleet durability record.
A hitch, tie-downs, rack mounts, drainable frunk, split tailgate and 1.5-kW accessory power are genuinely useful, but the accessory ecosystem and power output trail work-focused pickups.
The volume Dual Large's 352-mile EPA range, highway assistance and spacious first two rows make a strong tourer, but the stiff ride, modest seat support and charging speed cap endurance.
Standard dual-motor AWD, up to nearly 15 inches of clearance, three-foot wading, air suspension, 7,700-pound towing and camping power make it an exceptional adventure SUV; Dual Motor has fewer specialized modes than Quad.
A 104.7-cu-ft rear hold, 46.7 cu ft behind row two, large washable frunk, independently folding seats, split tailgate, hitch and roof mounts offer exceptional flexibility.
9Driving ExperienceGrades above the middle of the scale.3.05B
Strong grip, sophisticated air suspension and the short-for-class wheelbase make this heavy SUV surprisingly nimble, but pitch and an unsettled ride keep it below road-focused luxury leaders.
Steering is light and accurate enough for the mission but slow and short on feedback.
The friction pedal is firm and predictable and one-pedal stopping is powerful, but aggressive regen can feel abrupt and offers limited adjustability.
The representative 533-hp Dual Motor delivers seamless, immediate thrust and smooth front-to-rear torque management without shifts; its 4.5-second 0-60 estimate remains very quick.
The dual-motor drivetrain is smooth and largely vibration-free, though first-generation R1S testing found some low-speed motor whine.
This is respectable for a full-size SUV, though broad against the all-SUV normalization band.
An upright view, broad seat and wheel adjustment, kneel mode and clear driver display suit most people, but screen-based vent and mirror adjustment is distracting.
Immediate acceleration, adjustable chassis settings and genuine trail ability give the Dual-Motor R1S unusual breadth and character, despite numb steering and a restless ride.
10Value & Market PositionOne of the R1S's strongest categories.3.50A-
Even the base Adventure is a seven-seat, dual-motor AWD luxury SUV with adaptive air suspension, a panoramic roof, large dual displays, premium cabin materials, a powered frunk, Driver+ assistance and a 360-degree camera. Rivals frequently reserve comparable performance, off-road hardware, suspension sophistication, or driver-assistance content for costly trims and packages.
The R1S delivers exceptional speed, 7,700-pound towing, genuine off-road capability, three-row utility and long available range for luxury-SUV money. Its $83,800 volume configuration is nevertheless expensive, and the much cheaper Kia EV9 offers faster charging and stronger family-value fundamentals.
For 2024 Rivian offered an unusually broad matrix of Standard, Standard+, Large and Max batteries; Dual, Performance Dual and Quad motors; and pricing from the mid-$70,000s to nearly $97,000 delivered. Every version used the Adventure interior and seven-seat body, limiting cosmetic trim variety but not functional choice.
The R1S became the tenth-best-selling EV in America and grew 23.4% in 2024, impressive acceptance for an expensive startup-brand luxury SUV. It also decisively outsold Rivian's R1T and established itself as the company's volume consumer model.
Rivian combined an adventurous, distinctly American premium image with extraordinary owner enthusiasm, and the R1S served as its high-visibility family flagship. Reliability concerns and the young company's limited service footprint temper the halo but did not prevent exceptional stated repurchase intent.
Rivian's 2024 lease program passed through the full federal commercial clean-vehicle credit and offered materially subsidized lease payments, creating genuine buyer benefit. Additional friends-and-family support appeared on selected inventory as Rivian cleared first-generation vehicles ahead of the redesign, though ordinary cash purchases were less negotiable under direct sales.
The 2024 R1S was only in its third model year and gained meaningful Rivian-built Dual-Motor and additional battery choices, so its platform and technology remained contemporary. It was also the final model year of the generation that began in 2022, with the extensively reengineered second generation arriving for 2025, creating some redesign risk for buyers.
Reviewers consistently celebrated the R1S's startling performance, packaging, towing and true off-road ability, and IIHS awarded the 2024 model Top Safety Pick. It was not an uncontested class champion: Edmunds tied it overall with the Kia EV9 while preferring the Kia's comfort, charging speed and value, and Consumer Reports criticized ride and control ergonomics.
