May car of the month: Rivian R1S - Field Notes: The Turo blog

posted on May 30, 2023

A full-size EV to set the bar

Electric SUVs and trucks may still be somewhat novel, but at the rate automakers are churning out new EVs, they’re no longer surprising. Rivian launched the first battery-powered truck to much fanfare last year, and customers and critics alike fell in love with the deeply impressive R1T’s clean design, talent for traditional truck tasks, and combination of power and range. The R1S borrows almost all of that. In fact, it’s nearly identical, except it swaps the truck bed for a third row of seats and a trunk.

Rivian has made quite a splash in the auto industry, and the R1S appears to be a superb second act to the R1T. Let’s have a look at our car of the month for May, Skyfall’s 2022 Rivian R1S.

2022 Rivian R1S

BATTERY	HORSEPOWER	0 to 60 MPH	TOP SPEED	RANGE	DAILY PRICE*
129 kWh	835 hp	3.2 sec	110 mph	316 mi	$134

BATTERY	HP	0 to 60 MPH	TOP SPEED	RANGE	DAILY PRICE*
129 kWh	835 hp	3.2 sec	110 mph	316 mi	$134

Looks are always subjective, but the votes are in and the people say the R1S looks terrific. Rivian’s headlight treatment looks like nothing else on the road and announces the presence of a futuristic EV — the horizontal light bar, which is echoed in the rear, even glows green while charging. The clean design is accentuated by handsome proportions and door handles that sit flush with the body, and just a few pops of red interrupt the Glacier White paint on Skyfall’s R1S.

This R1S is in the Adventure trim, which includes four electric motors and a 128.9-kWh battery pack that whisk the car up to 316 miles in a single charge. That’s about on par with other new EVs today, but it’s quite an achievement in a vehicle this size. The big number for the R1S, however, is 835. Horsepower, that is. It needs just over three seconds to hit 60, which is totally unnecessary quickness for a three-row SUV and hard acceleration will quickly deplete the battery, but it sure is fun!

Both the R1S and R1T are decidedly adventure-focused — Rivian calls their models “Electric Adventure Vehicles.” As with the truck, just about everyone who’s driven the R1S reports it’s a very capable all-wheel drive rig. Adjustable air suspension allows for up to 15 inches of ground clearance, which you can use to avoid scraping obstacles or just showing off to your friends. A built-in air compressor can air your tires up or down on the spot, which is a super useful feature for off-roaders (but keep in mind, driving off road is prohibited with cars booked on Turo).

The interior boasts beautiful materials. It looks upscale, but like the outside, avoids any fussiness. The R1S loses the R1T’s innovative gear tunnel, but it does gain a trunk in addition to the frunk. The R1S is also self-leveling — another fun trick of the adjustable suspension — in case you want to take advantage of the flat-folding seats and sleep inside. Plus, there’s a flashlight stashed in the door!

This is a lot of car, so it isn’t cheap to buy new. If you’re looking for an electric SUV, competing high-end options include the Tesla Model X and Y, Cadillac Lyriq, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and maybe even the Hummer EV. Right now, though, the R1S’ ideal combo of attractive design, excellent performance, and useful space feels hard to beat. Have a look at Skyfall’s Rivian if you’re hitting the road in the Salt Lake City area any time soon!