Pros and cons
Rivian Automotive R1S pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2023)
4 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
5 pros, 5 cons. The Rivian Automotive R1S is best for us adventure-suv buyers wanting 7-seat, off-road capability, and rivian brand cachet — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Every EV is a set of trade-offs. The Rivian Automotive R1S's 660 km range and Rivian Automotive's segment position are the headlines — but the 5 pros and 5 cons below are what actually drive customer satisfaction one year in. This is a structured look at both columns.
Rivian Automotive R1S — the pros
The Rivian Automotive R1S has earned its strongest praise for these reasons. Strength 1 — 7-seat with proper third row usability. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — 410 miles EPA range on Max pack. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — 380mm ground clearance via air suspension. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — Quad-motor brings independent torque vectoring. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 5 — Cult brand status among outdoor enthusiasts. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 141 kWh battery, 660 km range, and a USD 77,700 - 105,900 (US market) starting price that defines the Rivian Automotive R1S's value envelope.
Rivian Automotive R1S — the cons
On the other side, the Rivian Automotive R1S has these honest weaknesses you should price in. Weakness 1 — USD 77,700+ pricing. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — Heavy at 3,100 kg. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Rivian charging network sparse outside US west coast. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 4 — Not sold globally. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 5 — Production constrained. On the Rivian Automotive R1S specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a adventure electric suv weighing 3100 kg with 209 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Rivian Automotive R1S is for
Rivian Automotive pitches the Rivian Automotive R1S at "US adventure-SUV buyers wanting 7-seat, off-road capability, and Rivian brand cachet", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 660 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 10-80% in 41 min (220kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
If the cons all touch one part of your week (long highway runs, say, or boot space) — that's the dealbreaker. If they touch unrelated edges, the Rivian Automotive R1S is probably the right buy.
Related Rivian Automotive EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at rivian r1t, cadillac escalade iq, gmc hummer ev suv — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Rivian Automotive R1S wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the biggest reason to choose the Rivian Automotive R1S?
- Pick the pro in the list above that most matches your weekly use. If it's range, value, charging speed, or feature set — whichever sits at the top for you — that's the buy signal.
- Can the cons be fixed with aftermarket changes?
- A few — wheels, tyres, interior comforts, dashcam, charging cables. Most cons in the list above are structural and not modifiable after purchase, so buy with eyes open.
- Does Rivian Automotive address the cons in newer models?
- Some, not all. Rivian Automotive has improved the Rivian Automotive R1S platform with each refresh — software updates close a few cons, hardware refresh cycles close more. But fundamental layout decisions (boot space, seating, charge port placement) are baked in for the life of the model.
- Is the Rivian Automotive R1S worth buying overall?
- For us adventure-suv buyers wanting 7-seat, off-road capability, and rivian brand cachet, yes. The Rivian Automotive R1S's pros pay back week after week for that use case. For substantially different needs, you'll find better fits in other models.
In short: us adventure-suv buyers wanting 7-seat, off-road capability, and rivian brand cachet is where the Rivian Automotive R1S shines. The cons matter, but they matter less every month as software and parts mature.