2026 Rivian R1S Quad
Written by Marco V. Carvajal
We can remember Tarzan movies, cartoons, or shows, where Tarzan, the human King of the Jungle, learned to live in wild Africa, dominating the whole Animal Kingdom. As I drive the Rivian R1S, I feel that the electric automaker is working hard to get the title of “king of the jungle” with the new high-performance R1S off-road SUV for all terrain.
Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is an all-electric, all-wheel-drive, 7-seat SUV that looks and drives as if it had come from the future.
Some of you wonder who Rivian is. Rivian cars like the new R1S are all-electric, eco-friendly, look amazing, modern, organic, futuristic, and have great design that reminds us of the future.
Rivian is a new eco-friendly American automaker devoted to produce electric cars based on clean mobility that will help and support to preserve the world for the new generations to come.
Rivian R1S Quad
I am test-driving the trim model Quad, the Rivian R1S Quad, the top-of-the-line model of the R1S lineup, a magnificent SUV, engineered for extremes, on-road and off.
The R1S Quad is priced starting at $121,990, with lease options for around $2,029.
Four-motor power makes the updated R1S Quad a very capable and thrilling high-performance SUV with no direct competition.
This SUV is ultra fast, it is one of the fastest on the market with an estimated acceleration time of 2.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.
The exterior design of Rivian cars is recognizable for its signature oval headlights and square exterior shape, with a unique look.
The R1S Rivian SUV, has an impresie power of 1,025 Horsepower, and 1,198 lb-ft Torque. This is not a regular SUV, this is a very powerful car that can be driven on any type of road.
The 374 mi (EPA estimated) max battery range for the R1S Quad is good considering the power and size of this SUV, but it’s similar to what you can get in other electric SUVs on the market. Other R1S trim models have a larger capacity of 410 miles range.
The interior of the R1s is very organic and luxury at the same time, you can enjoy the 3-rows and all the luxury and convenient features on the inside. Natural wood inserts and leather makes it look so elegant but natural at the same time.
The display and infotainment is large and very intuitive on the 12.3″ driver display screen and the large 15.6″ infotainment screen.
The R1S is always connected online to Rivian servers, helping with safety, upgrades, remote diagnostics, and more from the dashboard of your Rivian or using the Rivian mobile app.
Seven Driving Modes for All Terrain
I love all the R1S driving modes available: Sport, All Purpose, Snow, All-Terrain, Drift, Rally, Rock Crawl, and Soft Sand. This is probably the best feature of the Rivian R1S: providing a wide variety of versatile, smart driving modes for all kinds of terrain.
Sport, increases torque for the best acceleration and reduces body roll when you’re carving corners.
All Purpose, the best balance of comfort, performance and efficiency on most paved or unpaved roads.
Snow, gentler acceleration and braking make driving over powder, slush, sleet or ice smoother.
All-Terrain, smoothly tackle obstacles like muddy ruts, potholes or 3+ feet of water.
Drift, traction control is off and torque vectoring is on its sportiest setting for a floatier feel.
Rally, softer damping so you can reach high speeds even on rough terrain.
Rock Crawl, climb a 100% grade with over 14″ of ground clearance and max torque
Soft Sand, keep moving through dunes or deep sand with wheel controls to help you avoid getting stuck.
The R1S is available in three car models, R1S Dual with pricing starting at $83,990 or lease $1,139 approximate, R1S Tri with pricing starting at $106,990 or lease $1,599 approximate, and R1S Quard that model I am test driving, with pricing starting at $121,990 or lease $2,029 approximate.
R1S Competition
I can not find a very similar car to the R1S Quad-Motor, but it competes with segment related ultra-high-output electric luxury SUVs like the GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X, the Lucid Gravity, the Porsche Macan Turbo EV, The Tesla Model X Plaid, Audi RSQ8 Performance, KIA EV9 and Range Rover Sport SV.
The segment of high performance electric SUVs is growing and as time goes more competitors will emerge.
Rivian Producing Three Car Models
Rivian produces long-range electric vehicles, known to be innovative EV trucks, SUVs, and vans built for adventure.
At the present time, Rivian the American automaker specializes in electric cars, and only produces three car models: the Rivian R1S, the Rivian R1T, and the Rivian R2.
The three Rivian car models are electric, powerful and ultra-modernized with technology and features that you will love, with base car pricing ranging from $44K to $84K.
- Rivian R1S, a 7-seat all-electric, rugged, three-row sport utility vehicle SUV, starting at $83,990. This is the car I am test driving.
- The Rivian Electric Delivery Van (EDV), also sold as the Rivian Commercial Van (RCV), is a Custom utility electric van. It is a battery-electric cargo vehicle built in Normal, Illinois. Originally co-developed for exclusive use by Amazon, but Rivian now offers the van to commercial fleets starting at around $79,900 for the EDV/RCV 500 and around $83,900 for the EDV/RCV 700.
- Rivian R1T, a modern electric pickup truck built for whatever you call a road, starting at $79,990. An all-electric pickup truck featuring unique storage like the horizontal Gear Tunnel.
- Rivian R2, a 5-seat SUV with room for adventure, starting at $44,990. A newer, smaller, and more affordable midsize SUV designed for mass-market volume. Company Milestones & TechThe Skateboard Platform: Rivian utilizes a flexible, low-profile chassis housing the battery, suspension, and motors that underpins its vehicle lineup.
- The Rivian R3 is an upcoming smaller and more affordable all-electric crossover hatchback vehicle that most will e able to afford at a lower price than current Rivian models. The R3 is expected to start below $40K retail price and featuring a retro rally-inspired attractive design.
Test driving the Rivian R1S Quad
Driving the Rivian R1S Quad makes you feel like the king of the Jungle, the top-of-the-line trim model of the R1S lineup, a magnificent SUV, Engineered for extremes, on-road and off. The R1S Quad is priced starting at $121,990, with lease options for around $2,029.
The amount of features is impressive and generous, from safety, interior, exterior, driving aids, to performance, I really enjoy all what the Rivian has to offer. However, pricing is not cheap for the R1S top model, but you can always start with the entry-level Rivian R2, a 5-seat SUV with pricing around $44K.
Rivian R1S Quad Trim Highlights
- 7 seats Capacity
- 11-camera surround view system
- 12 ultrasonic surround sensors
- Regenerative braking system
- Quad-Motor AWD 2 in front, 2 in back
- 1,025 Horsepower
- 1,198 lb-ft Torque
- 7,700 lb Towing
- 1,724 lb Payload
- 12.3″ driver display screen
- 15.6″ infotainment screen
- 2 – 120V three-prong outlets
- Rivian navigation
- 374 mi (EPA est.) Max battery range
- 2.6 sec to go from 0 to 60 mph
- Sound + Vision Package Standard
- Rivian Premium Audio Standard
- Air Compressor Included Standard
- NACS Charging Port Included Standard
- 5 premium wheel options
- Premium wood interior with plaid accents and soft-touch sueded headliner
- Sound + Vision Package
- Darkout Package
- Laguna Beach Blue exterior accents and calipers
- Air compressor
- Reinforced underbody shield
- 11 drive modes including Launch mode, Kick Turn and RAD Tuner
Who is Rivian?
Rivian is an American electric vehicle maker founded in 2009 by CEO Robert “R.J.” Scaringe. Headquartered in Irvine, California.
Rivian builds consumer adventure vehicles and commercial delivery vans at its main plant in Normal, Illinois, focusing on sustainable outdoor-lifestyle transport.
Rivian History and Phylosophy
Rivian tells us that they are here for the future of kids. Their phylosophy as an automotive eco-builder is that to build the future our kids, extraordinary steps must be taken.
It seems that these steps include producing amazing electric cars, powerful and full of features, at a reasonable price.
“We’re here to keep the world adventurous forever. An American company with a global mindset, we’re focused on building electric vehicles that inspire exploration of this planet we all call home.”
Rivivan became public in a massive 2021 initial public offering and secured major commercial backing and fleet orders from Amazon.
Going by a different name they ended up going with Rivian as a as a combination of Indian River.
Charging Network: Rivian operates its own dedicated fast-charging infrastructure called the Rivian Adventure Network.
Rivian Foundation
Rivian’s goal to preserve and have clean mobility for a better environment gets enhanced by their own foundation.
The Rivian Foundation is working to safeguard a healthy planet so future generations can experience a world of abundance, wonder and adventure. The idea of clean mobility for Rivian is not a solo job, they are working in partnership with organizations, groups, corporate and foundation to achieve their goal.
Rivian set aside one percent of Rivian equity to establish a foundation that aligns its efforts to keep the world adventurous forever.
The Rivian Foundation awards grants to high-impact efforts to protect the environment, safeguard the climate and advance clean energy solutions that help build a healthier planet for the new generations to come.
Rivian Warranty
Not all Rivian vehicles have the same warranty. The vehicle’s battery and drivetrain warranty is determined by the specific model configuration. Most Rivian cars have a battery warranty of 8 years or 120,000 miles, but some models receive 8 years but more miles, like 150,000 miles
Most Rivian cars receive a comprehensive warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles.
Additional New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for Rivian cars includes:
- 8-year corrosion (perforation only) limited warranty.
- 8-year or 100,000-mile (whichever occurs first) occupant active restraint system limited warranty.
- 3-year or 36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) 12-volt battery limited warranty
- 1-year or 12,000-mile (whichever occurs first) adjustment warranty.
- Tire limited warranty provided by the tire manufacturer.
Rivian offers products that are not common in other car companies, like their own insurance agency, Rivian Insurance Services LLC, to help Rivian buyers obtain the best car insurance for their vehicle.
Rivian R1S Quad: The Tarzan of the Electric High-Performance Cars Jungle.
Written by Marco V. Carvajal
