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2025 Rivian R1S Review: What Changed in Its Second Generation

The 2025 Rivian R1S is a substantial refresh with new motor options and revised suspension. Its firm ride, touchscreen controls, and child-friendly third row deserve a test-drive check.
Entry817 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The 2025 Rivian R1S is a substantial engineering refresh beneath an almost familiar exterior: it brings revised suspension, new motor choices, and updated technology while keeping the three-row, all-electric SUV formula. Its appeal is clear, but the ride, touchscreen-heavy controls, and compact third row are worth checking in person before you buy.

What changed on the 2025 Rivian R1S?

Rivian calls the 2025 R1S second-generation. That label refers to broad hardware and software revisions, not a dramatic redesign of the body. Car and Driver highlights revised suspension tuning and the addition of a Tri-Motor version alongside Two-Motor and Quad-Motor configurations. Cars.com notes updated adaptive LED headlights and the removal of the former foglights, with more consequential changes underneath: new oil-cooled motors, a new air suspension, an updated infotainment interface, and additional driver-assistance technology.

The result is a familiar-looking SUV with meaningfully revised engineering. The changes do not establish that every earlier concern has been resolved: one independent review still found the ride firmer than expected.

How much range and performance does the R1S offer?

Performance and range depend heavily on motor and battery configuration. Review figures are not guarantees of real-world range or results, and they should not be treated as specifications for every R1S.

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#1 Best Overall
Sale
Matchbox Rivian R1T 2022 Collector #38/100 Electric Truck EV Blue
  • Matchbox 2022
  • RIVIAN R1T
  • Color RIVIAN Blue
  • Ages 15+
  • Included components: 1 DieCast Vehicle
Configuration or measure Reported figure Source and qualification
Longest-range version Up to 410 miles Car and Driver’s 2025 model review; configuration-dependent.
Tri-Motor Up to 850 horsepower Car and Driver’s 2025 model review; configuration-dependent.
Quad-Motor Up to 1,050 horsepower Car and Driver’s 2025 model review; configuration-dependent.
Dual Max Performance reviewed by Cars.com 665 horsepower; 829 lb-ft; manufacturer-quoted 0–60 mph in 3.4 seconds Cars.com’s 2025 review; the acceleration figure is the manufacturer claim for the reviewed configuration.
Base version Up to 258 miles Cars.com’s 2025 review; configuration-dependent.
DC fast charging, 10%–80% 30–41 minutes Cars.com’s 2025 review; reported interval varies with outside temperature and other factors.

Standard air suspension provides up to 15 inches of ground clearance, according to Car and Driver, giving the R1S some useful off-road ability as well as a tall-SUV stance. Motor count, battery, wheels and tires all affect what the vehicle is best suited to do. Compare configurations against your priorities: quick acceleration, longer trips, everyday passenger duty, or occasional travel off pavement.

Is the R1S practical for passengers and cargo?

The R1S combines an electric powertrain with three rows of seating and capacity for as many as seven, according to Car and Driver. Cars.com found the first two rows roomy and the front seats supportive. Its reviewers considered the third row better suited to children than adults. If adults will use those seats regularly, sit back there yourself and check headroom, legroom, access, and comfort before committing.

Rank #2
Sale
Maisto 1:18 Scale Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green Diecast Model Car 31466GRN
  • Brand new box.
  • Real rubber tires.
  • Steerable wheels.
  • Has opening doors.
  • Detailed interior, exterior.

Folding the rear seats expands cargo capacity, making the R1S adaptable to changing passenger and luggage needs. As with any three-row SUV, carrying a full passenger load leaves less room for cargo than traveling with some seats folded.

What is the ride like?

Revised suspension is an important part of the refresh, but comfort still depends on the wheel-and-tire setup. Cars.com found its 22-inch-wheel test vehicle lively and responsive, but stiffer than expected for a luxury SUV—even in Comfort mode. That road-test result is a reason to drive the exact configuration you are considering, rather than assume the revised suspension will feel plush on every wheel size.

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Rank #3
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Forest Green)
  • Realistic features with doors, front trunk, and gear tunnel that open and wheels that turn
  • Interior details: wood grain panel and patterned stitching on the seats 
  • Four wheel suspension
  • Panoramic glass roof
  • Popular Colors: Available in Forest Green and Glacier White

Road comfort and off-road capability are separate strengths to assess. The air suspension’s ground clearance supports off-pavement use; it does not by itself tell you whether the ride on your usual roads will suit you.

How are the controls, and does it have Apple CarPlay?

In the Cars.com-reviewed model, the central touchscreen handles virtually all audio, climate, and vehicle controls, including air-vent adjustment. Cars.com found the interface responsive and reasonably logical, but preferred physical controls for frequently used functions. The reviewed R1S does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Rank #4
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Glacier White)
  • Realistic features with doors, front trunk, and gear tunnel that open and wheels that turn
  • Interior details: wood grain panel and patterned stitching on the seats 
  • Four wheel suspension
  • Panoramic glass roof
  • Popular Colors: Available in Forest Green and Glacier White

That layout is a matter of daily preference, not a minor specification. Try common tasks—adjusting the temperature, directing airflow, and changing audio—during a test drive to see whether touchscreen operation works for you.

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Can a 2025 R1S use Tesla Superchargers?

Rivian’s July 2025 R1S Owner’s Guide says model-year 2022–2025 vehicles use the Rivian NACS DC adapter at NACS DC fast chargers. The guide also addresses J1772, CCS1, and NACS public charging and cautions against unauthorized or incompatible equipment; damage from such equipment may not be covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

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Best Value
Matchbox Rivian Rit
  • Metal Parts
  • Theme: car
  • Toy vehicle form: Car
  • Model year: 2023

For a 2025 R1S, check Rivian’s current owner guidance and use the specified adapter for your vehicle and charger. Do not assume an adapter is approved just because a listing says it is compatible. The guide’s rules are specific to the model years it names and should not be applied automatically to newer vehicles.

What recall should a used 2025 R1S buyer check?

NHTSA recall 25V585, acknowledged September 11, 2025, covers certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles running software earlier than 2025.18.30. The agency said Hands-Free Highway Assist software could fail to identify a lead vehicle, increasing crash risk; the stated remedy is a free over-the-air software update. Coverage and repair status are vehicle-specific, so check the VIN rather than assuming every 2025 R1S is affected or already updated.

In its Part 573 report, Rivian described a May 14, 2025 low-speed incident involving a 2025 R1S running software version 2025.14. The vehicle made contact at 6 mph, with no injuries reported. Rivian classified an update as safety-related and proceeded with a voluntary recall. The report’s statement that more than 99% of potentially affected vehicles had software 2025.18.30 or later was progress data from the report date, not proof of the status of a particular vehicle today.

The same report describes Highway Assist as SAE Level 2: the driver remains responsible for the vehicle and must stay attentive and ready to intervene. Rivian’s filing states, “When HWA is engaged, as with all SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance features and systems, the driver is the operator of the vehicle.” Highway Assist does not replace an attentive driver.

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Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Matchbox Rivian R1T 2022 Collector #38/100 Electric Truck EV Blue
Matchbox Rivian R1T 2022 Collector #38/100 Electric Truck EV Blue
Matchbox 2022; RIVIAN R1T; Color RIVIAN Blue; Ages 15+; Included components: 1 DieCast Vehicle
$21.48
SaleBestseller No. 2
Maisto 1:18 Scale Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green Diecast Model Car 31466GRN
Maisto 1:18 Scale Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green Diecast Model Car 31466GRN
Brand new box.; Real rubber tires.; Steerable wheels.; Has opening doors.; Detailed interior, exterior.
$44.99
Bestseller No. 3
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Forest Green)
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Forest Green)
Realistic features with doors, front trunk, and gear tunnel that open and wheels that turn
$79.95
Bestseller No. 4
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Glacier White)
Rivian R1T 1:20 Scale (Glacier White)
Realistic features with doors, front trunk, and gear tunnel that open and wheels that turn
$80.00
Bestseller No. 5
Matchbox Rivian Rit
Matchbox Rivian Rit
Metal Parts; Theme: car; Toy vehicle form: Car; Model year: 2023
$26.79

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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