I tested the coolest electric SUV you can buy. Take a full photo tour of the Rivian R1S, which has 3 rows and 316 miles of range.
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The all-new Rivian R1S crushes school drop-offs and muddy adventures. Scroll through a tour of your new favorite electric SUV.
The Rivian R1S is here. I got up close and personal with the startup's stylish electric SUV.
The R1S is a beast both on-road and off, packing more than 800 horsepower and all-wheel drive.
Its frunk, expansive cargo area, and seven seats make it a supremely functional daily driver.
Shopping for an SUV that can carry seven people, blast to highway speeds in a flash, tackle boulders like they're speedbumps, and do it all without using a drop of gas?
There's precisely one model that fits the bill: the 2022 Rivian R1S.
Rivian's luxurious trucks target Patagonia-wearing, outdoorsy folks who have a bit of extra money to spend. The first SUVs available now start at $90,000.
The SUV shines off-road, too. There are several drive modes that dial in the suspension, throttle, and ground clearance for different types of terrain.
Set the R1S to Rock Crawl or All Terrain mode and jack up its ground clearance to the max — 15 inches — and the R1S makes light work of treacherous boulders, water crossings, and impossibly steep grades.
It can get a little annoying to not have things like a physical volume knob or tabs to direct the air vents. But overall, the user interface is beautifully designed and snappy.
The cabin is jam-packed with little storage cubbies and USB-C ports, so nobody's left wanting for a spot to stick their phone or a way to charge it.
One thing the R1S isn't lacking is cargo space.
Folding down both rows of seats reveals a giant cargo area that looks like it could fit a full-size refrigerator.
I forgot to pack my fridge, so I had to make do with what I had. I'm 6'1" and could stretch out just fine.
Lift up a panel and you'll find some extra nooks and crannies that fit a first-aid kit and a hose for the built-in air compressor.
Yep, there's a compressor built into the side of the R1S's trunk. Owners will no doubt find it useful for filling up like inflatable kayaks, air beds, mountain bike tires, or the SUV's tires after an off-road adventure.
There's no engine up front, so instead you get a frunk.
And you have four options for unlocking the R1S. I got to use a carabiner-style key and a card. Owners will also be able to opt for a wristband and a smartphone app.
If this all sounds great to you, you're not alone.
Rivian is working through thousands of R1S preorders, so you'll have to wait in line until at least 2023 if you plunk down a $1,000 deposit today.