- I drove the Rivian R1S, a brand-new electric SUV from a California startup.
- Inside, the $90,000 R1S is comfortable, high-end, and jam-packed with interesting features.
- It has three rows, room for seven people, a giant touchscreen, and genuine wood trim.
Electric-vehicle startup Rivian just started shipping out the long-awaited R1S, a large, luxurious SUV that's built in Illinois but lives squarely in dream-car territory.
There are hardly any of these SUVs on the road yet, and you'll have to wait years for one of the hot models if you order one today.
But I got to test drive the R1S for a few days earlier this summer, and I'm here to show you what it's like inside the futuristic and feature-packed SUV.
The first R1S models available (and those I drove) start at around $90,000. For that price, you get a fair bit of luxury and heaps of utility.
After all, the R1S is equal parts high-end family hauler and off-road adventurer; it rivals luxe Teslas and rugged Land Rovers all at the same time.
Let's work our way from front to back. The driver and passenger get heated and ventilated seats made from vegan leather.
They're comfortable and feature bold stitching that gives off an upscale yet technical vibe.
They fit the R1S perfectly, as the EV is for Patagonia-wearing outdoorsy types with a bit of money to burn.
The dashboard is clad in wood trim that you'll also find elsewhere in the cabin.
Rivian offers a few different color schemes. This one is called Black Mountain.
Right smack in the middle of the dash is a 15.6-inch touchscreen that controls basically everything in the vehicle.
It's where you go to change drive modes and ride height ...
... adjust the stereo system ...
... and do a host of other things like find charging stations and activate Pet Comfort Mode, which keeps the A/C on for your dog.
It's simple to use and an aesthetic masterpiece, but tapping to adjust things like the air vents, heated seats, and mirror positioning can be cumbersome.
The 12.3-inch screen for the driver is just as graphically impressive and displays a map, speed, and remaining range.
Between the front seats there's a deep center console and a wireless charging pad.
A pair of cup holders slide out when needed.
Near the driver's feet, there's a spot for a bag or backpack. Just like the charging pad, it's rubberized and dotted with dozens of tiny Rivian logos.
Nearby, you'll find Rivian's built-in bluetooth speaker, which lives and charges below the center console.
The R1S has three rows, making it the only battery-powered SUV aside from the Tesla Model X to offer room for seven.
The second row slides forward and backward to give third-row passengers a bit of extra legroom when required.
And back-seat passengers can adjust the climate controls using a little touch panel.
The R1S offers little storage pockets all over, and plenty of USB-C ports for charging phones.
There's a sprawling sunroof over the front two rows…
… and another smaller one above the third row, so nobody feels left out.
The third row isn’t massive, but it’s spacious enough for adults to use without feeling too squished. I’m just over six feet tall and I fit back there just fine.
People riding in the way-back get most of the same amenities as more privileged passengers, including air vents, cupholders, storage cubbies, and charging ports.
The R1S also provides vast amounts of storage space, particularly when you don't need to transport seven people.
The second and third rows can fold flat, creating a huge loading zone that can fit an entire Tim.
You can even throw in a twin-sized air mattress for car camping.
In the back, you get handy adjustable tie-down points for securing cargo.
Rivian envisions that owners will use those rails to mount accessories like tool boxes and storage bins.
The company plans to sell its own trunk-mounted camping kitchen down the line, similar to the slide-out kitchen available on its R1T pickup truck.
A lower storage area holds a first-aid kit and the hose for the R1S's air compressor (more on that in a moment).
Remove that insert and you'll find an even deeper storage area that's big enough for a carry-on or a spare tire.
That's the beauty of electric powertrains: Without an engine, transmission, gas tank, and other bulky components, car companies have a lot more space to play around with, and that leads to some clever storage areas and packaging.
On the left wall of the R1S, you'll find a couple of power outlets. You're hauling around a giant battery all the time anyway, so why not use it to plug in some speakers, tools, or a laptop?
Below that, there's the aforementioned air compressor, which comes in handy for refilling tires after a drive on the beach or on some off-road trails.
R1S owners will surely use it to pump up bike tires and air mattresses too.
Bottom line: The Rivian R1S is the whole package.
It's stylish, fast, and astonishingly capable (read our full review for more on that), with a comfy, sleek, and functional interior that only sweetens the deal.
'
Read the original article on Business Insider