Used 2022 Rivian R1S

Over-hyped EV startups come and go, but one that appears to be the real deal is Rivian. The 2022 Rivian R1S is the brand’s first SUV to hit the market, and it’s a strong debut that has us excited about what the future holds for the future of this Irvine, California-based automaker.

The R1S is an all-electric premium SUV intended for on-road comfort and off-road capability. It has few direct competitors, but an obvious one is the Tesla Model X. They’re both electric luxury SUVs available with five or seven seats, and they compete in a similar pricing arena. A big difference is that the Rivian R1S has more off-roading aspirations than the Tesla while also aiming to be comfortable and luxurious on the street. Think of it as an electric Range Rover alternative.

KBB’s Micah Muzio recently drove the new 2022 Rivian R1S. Reports Micah:

The R1S has air suspension with adaptive shock absorbers and an electro-hydraulic roll control system that negates the need for traditional anti-roll bars. The suspension raises and lowers the vehicle up to 5.5 inches as needed, all the while returning a supple yet well-controlled ride.

In comfort mode, the R1S is just that, comfortable, and smooth stops are easy. The brake pedal, which actuates only the hydraulic braking system, feels completely normal.

Outward vision is good, and because there’s no engine making noise, you’d think that wind and tire noise might dominate the interior. Not the case. Even at freeway speeds, the cabin of this fully electric Rivan SUV stays hushed.

Frankly, the new Rivian R1S feels a lot like the R1T pickup on paved roads, with a conspicuous absence of flaws. This electric SUV is quick, comfortable, stable, and fun. This is also true in the dirt, where the R1S can creep at slow speeds in a one-pedal mode that means you won’t need to left-foot brake, which is what skilled off-road drivers do in tricky conditions.

When I first drove the Rivian R1T, it felt like a revelation — an adventurous and thoughtful reimagining of what a pickup truck could be. But without the R1T’s innovative gear tunnel and clever bed, the R1S feels less revolutionary.

Nonetheless, it’s quite capable on and off the road, and it has an innovative spirit along with a decent amount of space for you and your squad. If I were in the market for a premium electric SUV, this is the one I’d buy.

The interior of the Rivian R1S has a contemporary design that’s right at home in a high-tech luxury EV. There are two large digital displays; one is a gauge cluster, and the other is the infotainment screen. Interior materials include special vegan leather and recycled floor mats on the base model, with the higher trims coming with a recycled microfiber headliner. The base Explore model has matte black interior trim, and the upper trims have a nice natural-grained ash wood interior trim.

The interior appears to be plenty roomy in the first two rows. Third-row seating will likely be a little tight, but probably more generous than the cramped third row in the Tesla Model X. This Rivian also has tons of cargo space (especially in the 5-seat models). This is partially thanks to a “frunk” with 11 cubic feet of space plus a 5-cubic foot rear storage bin. The grand total maximum cargo space with the seats folded flat is up to 108 cubic feet.

The aesthetic kind of reminds us of other premium off-road-ready SUVs like the Range Rover and the upcoming Jeep Wagoneer. An obvious difference between the R1S and those competitors is that the Rivian is electric. Specs important to off-road enthusiasts like approach and departure angles have been carefully designed to ensure that this will be a pretty good off-roader. The adjustable suspension allows for up to 14.9 inches of maximum ground clearance and 36 inches of wading depth.

The exterior of the R1S is very stylish and suggests the high-tech interior and powertrain while also looking rugged and outdoorsy. Some interesting paint options like Rivian Blue and Compass Yellow allow for some unique customization, as do several tire and wheel options. You can make your R1S look more oriented to off-roading or on-road performance, and this SUV will be well-suited for both.

Driver+
This hands-free, semi-autonomous driving system makes driving easier and less stressful, not to mention safer. It comes standard on every R1S and continually gets free over-the-air updates.

Off-Road Upgrade
The Off-Road Upgrade makes the R1S more adventurous by adding a reinforced underbody shield, dual front tow hooks, and an air compressor.

The 2022 Rivian R1S is generously appointed with standard features. These include a 316-mile battery pack, five or seven seats with no price difference, vegan leather seats (which are heated in front), driver seat lumbar adjustment, a textile headliner, recycled textile floor mats, and a power rear liftgate.

One of our favorite standard features on every R1S is the Driver+ safety tech suite. Driver+ allows for hands-free driving using technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and driver alertness monitoring.

If you upgrade to the Adventure trim, several additional features become standard, including the Off-Road Upgrade, Rivian Elevation audio by Meridian, ash wood interior trim, perforated vegan leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, lumbar adjustment for the driver and front passenger, Compass Yellow interior accents, a recycled microfiber headliner, and Chilewich floor mats.

The Launch Edition, already sold out, is equipped similarly to the Adventure model, but with special Launch Edition badging, a Launch Green paint color option, and a wheel upgrade included.

The Rivian R1S doesn’t have a whole lot of individual options or option packages, which simplifies things. A reinforced underbody shield is available for $2,000, and tow hooks add another $300.

Also available: all-weather floormats ($225) and a 3-person Yakima tent ($3,100) that mounts to the R1S’s optional roof crossbars ($500 per pair).

Other than that, options for an additional cost are limited to paint and wheel options. The 2022 Rivian R1S is available with five or seven seats with no price difference.

The 2022 Rivian R1S uses four electric motors, one for each wheel. That means every model has standard all-wheel drive. They’re mated to a 135-kWh battery pack that’s packaged into the floor, maximizing interior and cargo space.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Rivian R1S has a certified range of 316 miles. It’s rated at 73 MPGe in the city and 65 MPGe on the highway. Rivian also says this electric SUV can hit 60 mph in three seconds and tow up to 7,700 pounds.

The Rivian Wall Charger, which delivers 25 miles of range for every hour of charging, is available from Rivian for $750.

Four electric motors
800-plus horsepower
900-plus lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel economy: 73 MPGe city/65 MPGe highway
EPA range: 316 miles

Cox Automotive, parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, is a minority investor in Rivian.