The starting price for the 2022 Rivian R1S Explore is $84,500.
Rivian appears to be one of the few electric vehicles (EV) firms that are not only a marketing ploy. The 2022 Rivian R1S is the brand’s first SUV to join the market, and its impressive debut has us optimistic about the future of this Irvine, California-based automaker.
The R1S is a luxury all-electric SUV designed for on-road comfort and off-road performance. It has few direct competitors, although the Tesla Model X is an obvious one. Both electric luxury SUVs with five or seven seats compete in the same price range. The Rivian R1S has more off-road ambitions than the Tesla while simultaneously attempting to be luxurious and comfortable on the road. Consider it an electric Range Rover substitute.
2022 Rivean R1S Cost
The base Explore variant of the 2022 Rivian R1S has a starting price of $72,500. The Adventure model’s price begins at $78,000. The Launch Edition, which sold out, cost $90k. In addition to a $1,075 destination price, the R1S includes a $70 documentation fee.
A $2,000 Off-Road Upgrade is available for the R1S Explore (it is standard on higher trims). Since this is a brand-new model, predicting the Rivian R1S’s resale value is difficult.
Micah Muzio of KBB recently test-drove the brand-new 2022 Rivian R1S. According to Micah:
Air suspension with adaptive shock absorbers and an electro-hydraulic roll control system eliminates the requirement for conventional anti-roll bars on the R1S. As necessary, the rest lifts or lowers the car by up to 5.5 inches while providing a comfortable, well-controlled ride.
In comfort mode, the R1S is indeed comfy, and achieving smooth stops is simple. The brake pedal, which activates the hydraulic braking system, feels typical.
As there is no engine noise, one may expect wind and tire noise to dominate the interior, given the excellent visibility. This is not the case. This electric Rivan SUV’s inside remains silent even at highway speeds.
The new Rivian R1S feels remarkably similar to the R1T pickup on paved roads, with no real problems. This electric SUV is swift, cosy, stable, and entertaining. This is also true in the dirt, where the R1S can creep at low speeds in a mode that eliminates the need for left-foot braking, which is what expert off-road drivers do in challenging situations.
The first time I drove the Rivian R1T, it seemed like a revelation — a bold and ingenious reinvention of what a pickup truck could be. However, the R1S lacks the R1novel T’s gear tunnel and bright bed, rendering it less groundbreaking.
Yet, it is pretty capable on and off the road, and it has an inventive personality and sufficient space for you and your crew. I would get this one if I were in the market for a luxury electric SUV.
What does the 2022 Rivian R1S look like from the inside
The inside of the Rivian R1S is designed in a contemporary style appropriate for a high-tech premium EV. There are two substantial digital displays: a gauge cluster and an infotainment display. The base model’s interior materials consist of fine vegan leather and recycled floor mats, while higher trims feature a recycled microfiber headliner. The interior decoration of the base Explore model is matte black, while the interior perimeter of the top edges is beautiful natural-grained ash wood.
There looks to be ample space in the first two rows of the inside. Third-row seating will presumably be somewhat cramped but likely more spacious than the Model X’s cramped third row. This Rivian also has ample cargo room (especially in the 5-seat models). This is made possible partly by the 11-cubic-foot trunk and 5-cubic-foot rear storage bin. The largest cargo capacity when all seats are folded down is 108 cubic feet.
Exterior Design
The exterior design is reminiscent of luxury off-road-capable SUVs like the Range Rover and the forthcoming Jeep Wagoneer. The Rivian R1S is an electric vehicle, a glaring distinction from its competitors. Approach and departure angles, vital to off-road fans, have been carefully designed to ensure that this Vehicle will be a decent off-roader. The adjustable suspension enables a maximum ground clearance of 14.9 inches and a maximum wading depth of 36 inches.
The R1S’s design is beautiful, hints at its high-tech interior and drivetrain, and appears robust and harsh. Many colour variations, including Riviera Blue, Compass Yellow, and tire and wheel options, allow individual customization. This Vehicle will be well-suited for off-roading and on-road performance, regardless of how you style your R1S.
Favourite Features
Driver
Its hands-free, semi-autonomous driving system makes driving safer, easier, and less stressful. It is standard on every R1S and receives free over-the-air updates continuously.
Off-Road Upgrade
The Off-Road Upgrade adds more robust underbody protection, dual front tow hooks, and an air compressor to the R1S to make it more off-road capable.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130
Standard Functions
The 2022 Rivian R1S is equipped with an abundance of standard features. Features include a 316-mile battery pack, five or seven seats at no additional cost, heated vegan leather seats in the front, lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, a textile headliner, recycled textile floor mats, and a power rear liftgate.
Driver+ safety technology suite is one of our favourite standard features on every R1S. With adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring, Driver+ enables hands-free driving.
Several additional features become standard if you upgrade to the Adventure trim, such as 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, which has already sold out, is furnished similarly to the Adventure model, adding Launch Edition badging, Launch Green paint, and upgraded wheels.
Factory Choices
The Rivian R1S has few individual options and option bundles, which simplifies the situation. A reinforced underbody cover costs $2,000, and tow hooks cost $300.
Also available are all-weather floormats for $225 and a three-person Yakima tent that attaches to the R1S’s optional roof crossbars for $500 each pair.
Other than that, only paint and wheel options are available for an additional cost. The 2022 Rivian R1S is offered five or seven seats at no extra cost.
The battery. Summary – we will talk about it at the end of the article
The Rivian R1S 2022 is powered by four electric motors, one for each wheel. This implies that all models come equipped with all-wheel drive. They are coupled to an integrated 135-kWh battery pack that maximizes interior and cargo space.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the certified range of the Rivian R1S is 316 miles. It has a 73 MPGe city rating and a 65 MPGe highway rating. This electric vehicle, according to Rivian, can reach 60 mph in three seconds and tow up to 7,500 pounds.
Rivian charges $750 for its Rivian Wall Charger, which provides 25 miles of range per hour of charging.
- Quadruple electric motors
- Over 800 horsepower and over 900 lb-ft of torque
- EPA fuel economy: 73 City/65 highway MPGe
- EPA range: 316 miles
This is a pretty enticing alternative for off-road enthusiasts.
This 2022 Rivian R1S Launch Edition features 20-inch All-Terrain Dark wheels. Thus, I would be irresponsible to dismiss the Vehicle’s off-road capability. The tires, ground clearance I described, and readily available recovery locations aid its cause considerably. But everything improves once the infotainment system is activated.
First inspection reveals the typical All-Purpose (Normal), Sport, Conserve, Off-Road, and Towing modes. The Off-Road method has five additional settings for adjusting the ride height, suspension stiffness, brake regen system, stability control, and brake hold to fit the terrain. You can examine some examples in greater detail below.
How frequently will you utilize these settings? This depends on your level of extremeness and the off-roading available. Yet, it is apparent that Rivian put significant consideration into creating their Vehicle a well-rounded vehicle.
It doesn’t just end with driving modes; we’ll talk about camping mode.
With a three-row SUV with a large glass top, the Rivian R1S is ideal for one- or two-person camping, regardless of whether you intend to utilize the SUV itself or bring a ton of goods. To utilize 400-watt outlets, use the settings on the left and right sides of the 16-inch screen to manage the lighting and energy consumption. You can select the “Stay Off” setting in the upper right corner to turn off all auxiliary systems (including the Gear Guard five-camera monitoring system and the infotainment display) that could drain the battery pack.
A unique feature, however, is the button for adjusting the ride height. This will lift each corner of the Vehicle to level it on uneven terrain, ideal for sleeping in or on top of the car if a rooftop tent is installed. However, the Rivian R1S lacks the passthrough Gear Tunnel between the rear doors and the bed, so the $5,000 Camp Kitchen that fits there is unavailable.
Life with the Rivian R1S: Capacity, technology, and capability to charge
Despite the shorter profile of the SUV compared to the pickup, there is still a third row of seats, and all three rows are wrapped in luxurious leather. Even more leather, elegant wood trim, and a rather basic interior design are included in the cabin. But, there is still much technology to discuss, from the driving controls to the entertainment system.
Except for the drive modes, practically all major controls for the driver are located on the steering wheel or the two nearby stalks. The left-side buttons control media playback. They also govern the left side of the driver information panel, which may take some time to figure out. You must hold down one of the side buttons to switch between the efficiency, tire pressure, and navigation displays. For their part, the right buttons control the semi-autonomous (hands-on) Rivian Driver+ system. Double-tap the gear selector downward to activate it, and you can adjust the distance and speed of the following Vehicle.
This 16-inch monitor in the centre provides access to all other onboard systems. The climate controls are accessible via a tab in the lower left corner, although you can access the significant controls without a separate menu. Due to a regular stream of upgrades, Rivian’s system feels quicker and more responsive, and it’s all reasonably straightforward to operate. Like specific Tesla models, you must utilize the climate settings to adjust the front A/C vents, which can be demanding. Thankfully, passengers in the second row do not have this problem; they have screens to regulate their climate zones.
Although the navigation system is adequate, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto cannot be substituted. Regardless of preference, you must use the default interface (and Bluetooth to stream audio). Satellite radio is also not supported natively. Hence, the only available options for a nearly $100,000 SUV are FM radio and streaming music, which is incredibly frustrating.
On the plus side, you get wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Amazon Alexa integration, and an incredible 20-speaker Meridian Elevation audio system — one of the best I’ve ever heard in a vehicle. Rivian has a portable “Camp Speaker” in its storage compartment beneath the centre console.
Seating and storage
Although each seat is comfortable, legroom varies depending on your heart. In addition to heated and cooled seats for first-row passengers and four-way lumbar adjustment, there is enough space in the front of the car. The second row is a 40/20/40 split bench seat that can be adjusted to give rear passengers more legroom.
Getting to that row is difficult at best, no matter how good the third-row seats are. Due to the glass roof, the headroom in all three is noticeably more spacious than the legroom. Back-row passengers have access to a USB-C charging plug hidden between two small storage bins, so at least that will help keep the kids occupied.
Even with the three rows in place, the Rivian R1S has a load capacity of 17.6 cubic feet. That’s much larger than a Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and the Rivian also boasts an 11-cubic-foot trunk. Each end features a shelf that provides extra space for hiding items (or your charging cables).
When the three rows are folded down, the Rivian R1S becomes a large cargo haulier with a capacity of 104.1 cubic feet. With a folding tailgate and a new “knee position” function, loading is less hassle than you imagine. Due to the latest over-the-air update, the feature lowers the vehicle by up to 1.4 inches while parked, making access, egress, and loading easier. The duration of the process depends on the air suspension setup with which the vehicle is lowered, but it should take about five seconds.
Charging, as usual, is the new Rivian R1S with an A/C charging cable, and the company offers an 11.5kW home charging station that adds about 25mph of range.
More importantly, Rivian’s SUV enables up to 200kW fast charging for commuters. After my first 40-minute charging session using the 150kW Electrify America Charging Station, I could add 83.4kWh (19% to 75%) to the battery. This shipping rate will vary based on environmental conditions and what is available in your area.
Remember that charging is most successful between 20% and 80% of the charge state. Therefore, the mileage may vary depending on this item. Rivian claims you can charge from a low state to 80 per cent in just over 30 minutes if you can locate a 200-kilowatt fast charger that’s entirely powered.
Rivian offers an 8-year/175,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty for those concerned about battery deterioration due to constant charging.
