What is the R1S?
The Rivian R1S is the SUV version of the brand's R1T electric pickup truck. Brimming with smart design and copious amounts of on- and off-road capability, the Rivian R1S has piqued the interest of not only EV buyers but overlanding and tech enthusiasts as well. Offering three rows of seats, a choice of battery packs, and different motor configurations (the R1S can have up to four motors, one for each wheel), the R1S can be equipped to handle the daily commute or a rocky trail.
For 2024 the R1S offers the option of a dual-motor setup (one on each axle) and a new battery option known as the Standard pack. Rivian says the 105-kWh Standard battery pack is good for 260 miles of range. As for power output for the dual-motor setup, Rivian cites 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft, and the Performance Dual-Motor AWD model brings power up to a head-spinning 700 hp. Another change is the elimination of the five-passenger configuration. For 2024, only a three-row seven-passenger will be sold. Rivian is known to make rolling changes, though, so some of this information could change by the time the 2024 R1T becomes available.
While the truly off-road-ready electric SUV is still a fairly rare commodity, there are a growing number of electric trucks with the potential to take you nearly as far, or farther, than the R1S. Aside from its sibling, the R1T, there's Ford's F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet's highly anticipated Silverado EV and the outrageous Hummer EV.