Yahoo Autos 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.
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.
Read our first drive review of the Rivian R1S here: I drove Rivian's new R1S — it's like 3 dream cars wrapped up in one ultra-cool electric SUV
After months of delays, Rivian is finally delivering the SUV to customers.
The California startup invited me to get up close and personal with the R1S — and drive it both on-road and off. I can confirm it's fabulous.
Read more: The 4 most important things to consider before buying your first electric car, according to experts
I found it extremely capable, comfortable, and spacious. Plus, the R1S packs plenty of impressive features.
Here's a full tour of what the R1S has to offer, from its wildly useful frunk to its third-row seats.
Read more: Electric truck showdown: Why I'd buy Rivian's R1T over the Ford F-150 Lightning after driving both
First, some background: The R1S follows up the R1T pickup truck as Rivian's second consumer vehicle. It's also making a delivery van for Amazon.
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.
Source: Rivian
The R1S Launch Edition (the first model out and the one I tested) has all-wheel drive by way of four motors — one powering each wheel.
It promises a whopping 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, making it much, much quicker and more agile than its size suggests.
Rivian says the R1S will launch to 60 mph from a standstill in three seconds flat, which feels downright bizarre in such a large SUV.
The EPA pegs range at 316 miles, which places the R1S among the longest-range electric vehicles you can buy.
Read more: The 15 longest-range electric cars you can buy in 2022 from Kia, Tesla, Ford and more
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.
Read our review of the Rivian R1T here.
Most owners won't push the limits of their R1S on a regular basis. But the SUV excels at the everyday stuff too.
Instead of the R1T's truck bed, the R1S gets a third row, which means seating for seven.
The way-back is a bit tight for big adults, but it'll work in a pinch if you scoot the second row forward.
Overall, the interior feels super spacious and open, thanks in part to the R1S's two expansive sunroofs.
