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A Closer Look at the 2022 Rivian R1S

2022 Rivian R1S

Rivian, an amazon-backed electric van, and truck maker, already have an award-winning electric pickup in production, the Rivian R1T. Now, the company is coming out with an electric SUV, the 2022 Rivian R1S. The R1S comes with all the good points of the R1T but with an added advantage of a fully enclosed SUV, such as a spacious cargo area and a third seat row to carry more passengers. So, what should you expect from the 2022 Rivian R1S? This review will take a closer look at the 2022 Rivian R1S.

2022 Rivian R1S Design

The 2022 Rivian R1S takes the same R1T basic formula and designs it into an attractive SUV design. On the car’s surface, there is little that differentiates the two models. Starting on the head, the models look identical, with the similarity continuing from the driver seat, where the interior design, dash, and seating position look alike. Despite R1S having a lot of similarities with the R1T, here are some significant differences. One of the notable differences in the length, with the R1S being around 16 inches shorter than the R1T truck. According to Industry Leaders, the R1S rolls on a 14.7-inch shorter wheelbase and is also an inch lesser in height than the truck. However, the R1S still makes sufficient room for three-row seats that are highly comfortable with a standard seven-passenger space. At a length of 200.8 inches long, the R1S has a closer size to most mid-size three-row SUVs.

2022 Rivian R1S Interior

Overall, the R1S features a comfortable, well-equipped, and premium interior. It comes with a seven-seat interior on three rows. The seats have been designed with vegan faux leather, and buyers can select between different design packages that provide matte or wood-finished surfaces. It has a full-length glass roof that makes the interior airy and bright. Rivian claims that an optional removable top for an open-air experience will be available by mid-2022. The three-seat rows are very comfortable and have many power options. The cabin features eight USB-C ports, two 120-volt, and three 12-volt outlets. Don’t forget it also has a wireless charging pad.

What is Its Performance And Range?

The 2022 Rivian R1S has three battery sizes; 105-, 135- or 180 kWh. Based on your chosen battery size, the R1S generates up to around 800 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. Like the R1T, the R1S features an electric motor at every wheel. The EPA-rated range for the 2022 R1S launch model is 316 miles with 69mpg-e. Based on the chosen battery, the company estimates a capacity of 240 to 400 miles on a single charge for the rest of the lineup. However, the biggest battery is not available in the seven-seat configuration. Another clever trick of the Rivian vehicles, including the R1S, is how you can tow-charge them. The car can be hooked up to a towing semi-truck and pulled forward during emergencies. The gear should be in reverse, and you need to apply a small amount of pressure to the accelerator pedal. This enables kinetic energy to be fed to the battery. According to Tom’s Guide, Rivian is also looking to make its high-speed charging network instead of relying on the inconvenient public networks.

Towing, Cargo Room, and Capability

The 2022 Rivian R1S has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. when well equipped. This is 3,300 lbs. less than the R1T. The common characteristic between the R1T and R1S is the 11.0 cubic foot front trunk which gives the R1S extra space for cargo. With the three-row seats in place, R1S leaves a cargo space of 7.1 cubic feet. The rear Rivian R1S tub has an extra 6.4 cubic feet capacity when you remove the spare tire.

2022 Rivian R1S Technology

Similar to the R1T, the 2022 Rivian R1S comes with two cabin displays. A 12.3 inches touchscreen on the dash room controls navigation, media, and temperature adjustment, while a 15- inch digital gauge cluster substitutes the analog instruments. The landscape-oriented touch screen comes complete with wireless charging and Wi-fi connectivity. The Rivian operating system also comes with an Alexa voice assistant. The second-row seat also has a touchscreen at the back of the center console for temperature control. Another excellent feature is the removable rear speaker that allows you to continue the music fun even at the beach bonfire.

Driving The R1S Off and On-Road

On the road, the 2022 Rivian R1S still offers a truck-like feel. You will be sitting way up tall. Steering resistance and the ride are more similar to a standard half-on machine. The R1S comes with a firm ride quality providing a planted feel on the road. It has a heavily weighted steering and a highly subdued body roll. According to Car and Driver, the 2022 Rivian R1S is a stronger off-roader compared to the R1T because of its shorter wheelbase and enhanced departure angle. You can raise the air suspension to offer up to 15.0 inches of ground clearance. Rivian states that the electric SUV can ford water to 39 inches deep. Additionally, the car monitors the driver and road input per five milliseconds and adjusts the suspension appropriately.

What is the 2022 Rivian R1S Pricing and Availability?

The price of the Rivian R12 starts at $91,075. While expensive, the R1S is a provably upscale, highly capable, elegantly designed electric SUV that is nice to drive. Rivian aims to ramp up its production to attain its goal of producing 25,000 EVs by the end of the year. However, the company claims to have received 90,000 orders for both R1S and RIT models, which still leaves many people waiting. Their official website estimates that if you order one of the models now, you will probably get it towards the end of 2023. But you will not be disappointed when you finally get your R1S.

Bottom Line

Does the R1S live up to the expectation set by the open-bed R1T truck? The 2022 Rivian R1S all-electric performance certainly doesn’t disappoint. It features a similar high-end, distinctive design that many people love on the R1T. While the Rivian R1T is the electric future of Trucks, the R1S is leading the way in the electric SUVs, although competition is coming up quickly. Unfortunately, the R1S has a high pricing edge, meaning it’s not affordable to all admirers. But for those that can afford it, the SUV won’t disappoint.

Benjamin Smith

Written by Benjamin Smith

Benjamin Smith is one of the managing editors of Moneyinc. Ben's been focusing on the auto and motorcycle sector since 2005. He's written over 1000 articles in the space and continues to learn about it each day. His favorite car is "any Bugatti" and he's a die hard Harley Davidson fan.

Read more posts by Benjamin Smith

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