The Most Well-Rounded Luxury EV SUV On The Market

Most brand-new EVs cost a lot of money. In January 2025, Americans spent over $55,000 on average on a fresh-off-the-car-hauler battery electric car. That is $7,000 more than the standard vehicle. But, for millions of drivers, electric vehicles are worth the premium.

The cars aren’t just tree-hugging transportation alternatives for the environmentally-minded; they’re some of the most capable, luxurious cars on the market. They also have some of the best automotive tech. In the world of advanced luxury EVs, one SUV outperforms its competition. It blends nimble and exciting driving dynamics with a well-appointed cabin. Sure, it’s expensive. But, it’s a vehicle that nearly every owner raves about.

The Rivian R1S Blends Rugged Utility With Premium Appeal

Rivian built the R1S — its full-size, seven-passenger SUV — from the ground up. The big electric SUV combines genuine off-road capability with the refined touches expected in a premium vehicle. Unlike competitors that merely gesture at adventure readiness, Rivian produced an SUV capable of crawling over rock-strewn trails and parking in front of an upscale restaurant.

Inside the cabin, Rivian masterfully balances minimalist design and thoughtful functionality. The roof-spanning panoramic window floods the SUV with sunlight, while tasteful wood, chrome, and leatherette accents highlight its handsome curves. The latest R1S, which received technical updates for 2025, blends the luxurious feel with a more supple ride, better battery performance, and some new color options. Car shoppers who need to be convinced of the R1S’s brilliance need not look too far; just ask a Rivian owner. The car company has dominated vehicle ownership satisfaction surveys for several years.

2025 Rivian R1S Specs

A Modern Take On Adventure-Ready Styling

The R1S’s design language deftly sidesteps the aggressive posturing common among traditional SUVs. Unlike grunting gas guzzlers, the Rivian’s squared-off, uninterrupted lines give the car a modern look. The front end is topped off with distinctive oval headlights that create a recognizable silhouette.

2025 Rivian R1S

Model

R1S

Engine

Dual, triple, or quad electric motors

Horsepower

533-1,025 HP

Torque

610-1,198 LB-FT

Driveline

AWD

Range

270-410 Miles

Towing Capacity

7,700 Pounds

0-60 MPH

4.5-2.5 Seconds

Expand

But behind the aesthetic, each design detail comes with a well-intentioned purpose. The flush door handles, for example, improve aerodynamics without sacrificing usability. Even the company’s infotainment system, which consolidates most of the car’s interior controls, gives drivers and passengers a ton of customizable utility. And, like other EVs, the R1S will age like wine. Rivian has continuously sent over-the-air updates to owners that have improved tech usability, charging speeds, and even battery range.

Luxury Interior Doesn’t Sacrifice Practicality

Beyond the premium stitching and interesting wood accents, the R1S’s interior features a laundry list of practical touches. Rivian added washable flooring and stain-resistant fabrics to withstand muddy boots and wet gear. Storage solutions abound with thoughtfully placed compartments, including a cavernous front trunk and configurable cargo area.

The SUV remains practical in the back, too. Rear passengers enjoy generous head and legroom despite the panoramic glass roof, and the third row can comfortably accommodate adults, a rarity even among three-row SUVs.

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Performance That Leaves Gas Cars Eating Dirt

Even in its cheapest form, the R1S is plenty athletic. Dual-motor variants of the SUV have 533 horses and 610 lb-ft of torque, while the standard gas SUV typically has between 200 and 300 horsepower. Rivian’s electric powertrain also translates into immediate torque.

Flooring the accelerator when the car is stopped will make the R1S sprint to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. These numbers only get more impressive in the higher-trim models. We’re talking about 1,100 horsepower and a 2.9-second zero-to-60 speed, which is faster than most Porsche 911s.

Lightning-Fast Acceleration Meets Off-Road Capability

The Rivian remains plenty capable off the roads, too. The car isn’t just a sprinter. The SUV features an adjustable air suspension that allows drivers to optimize ground clearance based on terrain demands. The higher the trim level, the more options Rivian owners can tap into.

The car comes standard with All-Purpose, All-Terrain, and Snow modes. Higher-level trims introduce Sport, Soft Sand, Rally, Drift, Rock Cawl, and Conserve modes that will standardize the car’s throttle response, suspension feel, and steering tightness. In other words, the R1S is extremely versatile.

The Suspension Reminds You… It’s An Off-Roader At Heart

One of the most consistent complaints about the R1S is the suspension feel in the city. The large SUV is tuned for off-roading, making the ride harsher than other luxury EVs. For 2025, Rivian softened the suspension to handle owner complaints.

The company also lets passengers modify the car’s dynamics. If drivers want a more supple ride, they can always adjust the drive modes in the infotainment system. Rivian calls its All-Purpose mode (available in all trim levels) “the best balance of comfort, performance, and efficiency”. Other common complaints about the SUV are its lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and its poor reliability track record.

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Tech-Driven Cabin Has Features Abound

The 2025 Rivian R1S doubles down on its tech-forward ethos with a cabin filled with smart, intuitive features. A massive 15.6-inch central touchscreen remains the nerve center of the SUV, running Rivian’s custom-built UI. Plus, the company updated the infotainment system to include cheeky sketches that add to the vehicle’s sense of whimsy. Gear Guard — a yellow, fuzzy-looking character carrying a camera — pops onto the infotainment when drivers are away from the car to warn potential thieves they’re being filmed. Hand-drawn sketches of the R1S also populate all the animations.

Behind the wheel, drivers get their own 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with easy-to-read updates. Factor in Amazon Alexa voice integration, seamless user profiles, and a robust suite of driver-assistance tech, and Rivian’s family hauler feels more like a Silicon Valley flagship than a rugged off-roader.

Infotainment System That Finds Your Nearest Charger

Rivian’s infotainment system isn’t just about crisp graphics and fluid animations — it’s built to make EV ownership seamless. So, there are no worries about taking the big car on an extended family haul, as smart navigation quickly locates nearby charging stations throughout a long trip.

The infotainment system also communicates with fast chargers to validate their availability, charging speeds, and popularity. Drivers can also select how much charge they want when they reach their destination. The Rivian infotainment system will even account for energy-zapping factors, including interior climate controls, weather, and elevation changes.

Thoughtful Touches Surround All Passengers

Rivian also built a ton of little Easter eggs in the cabin. Drivers will find a rechargeable flashlight hidden inside their door. The speaker in the center console is easily removed from the car and can work as Bluetooth stereo equipment.

Rivian has sent several over-the-air updates that have allowed owners to change charging and vehicle lock “chirps” to a slate of different sounds. For example, on Halloween 2024, Rivian updated its fleet with the ability to play the Knight Rider TV series theme song.

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Charging And Range Compete With The Market’s Best

The 2025 Rivian R1S keeps pace with the EV elite, offering over 400 miles of range in its top-spec cars. Even the lower-tier R1S models use a lithium-iron-phosphate Standard pack that achieves a respectable 270 miles of range. Drivers can boost their battery with roughly 140 miles of range in 20 minutes of fast charging.

Standard batteries can achieve a maximum charge rate of 200 kW on a DC fast charger, while top-trim speed charging is 220 kW. With the correct fast-charging conditions, Rivian says drivers will juice their battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in 30–41 minutes.

Rivian Is Expanding Its Charging Horizons

Additionally, the cars can now plug into even more speed-charging stations. Rivian’s Adventure Network, the company’s proprietary fast charging station, is continuing to grow, giving owners exclusive high-speed chargers. The company said it plans on opening over 3,500 stations across the U.S. Now, the R1S also plays well with Tesla’s Supercharger network, giving Rivian owners access to the largest charging company in the US. Tesla says more than 60,000 superchargers line America’s highways.