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Rivian R1S Gen 2 Review: A Capable Electric SUV, With Key Questions Still Open

The Gen 2 R1S pairs an adventure-focused electric SUV concept with evolving software and a high-output optional Quad. Here’s what Rivian’s claims establish—and what still needs independent testing.
Entry427 Date Time6 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The second-generation Rivian R1S has a clear proposition: an electric SUV built around adventure use, backed by Rivian’s expanding vehicle software and charging ecosystem. Its strongest documented headline is the optional Quad configuration’s immense claimed output. But official specifications and software announcements are not a substitute for independent road testing: measured range, ride comfort, braking, cargo capacity and real-world charging-stop times are not established here. Buyers should treat the R1S as a promising, highly configurable vehicle—not assume every Gen 2 trim has Quad performance or that manufacturer charging figures describe every trip.

What is different about the Gen 2 Rivian R1S?

Gen 2 is the second-generation R1S, with vehicle hardware and software that Rivian continues to develop. Rivian says Gen 2 vehicles include its Autonomy Platform, and its technology page describes over-the-air software updates. That makes the R1S more than a fixed set of launch specifications: features and interfaces can change after delivery, subject to vehicle eligibility and rollout timing.

Rivian’s June 2025 software update introduced a refreshed Energy experience and on-demand battery preconditioning for Gen 2 vehicles. In September 2026, Rivian announced RivianOS 2 for eligible Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1 vehicles, with a phased OTA rollout. The company says some functions, including mobile live trips, require Connect+. Check the software version, eligibility and current service terms for the specific vehicle rather than assuming every feature is available on every R1S. Rivian’s 2025.18 Energy and charging update and its RivianOS 2 announcement describe these changes.

Do not confuse Gen 2 with the 2027 lineup

Rivian’s August 2026 announcement describes changes for the 2027 R1S and R1T, including a redesigned trim structure and second-row captain’s chairs. Those are model-year-specific announcements, not evidence that every Gen 2 R1S has captain’s chairs or the same trim and equipment. When shopping, verify the model year, seating layout, motor and battery configuration on the actual vehicle. Rivian’s 2027 R1S and R1T announcement is the relevant reference.

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#1 Best Overall
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

How powerful is the R1S Gen 2?

The answer depends on configuration. Rivian says the second-generation Quad produces 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. Those are manufacturer figures for the Quad; they should not be applied to every Gen 2 R1S. Rivian’s announcement also qualifies acceleration estimates by wheel and tire selection, launch mode and safety conditions. Rivian’s Gen 2 Quad announcement has the configuration-specific details.

That headline output makes the Quad the clearest performance statement in the available official material, but it does not establish how the R1S rides, brakes or handles on a road. No independent instrumented results are available here for acceleration, braking distance, cornering, cabin noise or ride comfort. Buyers weighing performance against everyday comfort should seek tests of the exact model year and configuration rather than treating a power figure as a complete driving assessment.

Rank #2
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

How fast does the Rivian R1S charge?

Charging speed varies with the vehicle’s battery capacity and state of charge, battery temperature, charger capability, weather and site conditions. Rivian’s 2025.18 update reported that Gen 2 Large Pack vehicles reached up to 215 kW in tested conditions and gained 15% more driving range in 15 minutes. These are Rivian’s claims for that update and configuration, not a guaranteed charge rate or a measured stop time for every R1S. Rivian’s charging-update announcement sets out the qualifications.

Rivian also said the update added on-demand battery preconditioning and reworked the in-vehicle Energy experience to help drivers understand range and plan charging. Preconditioning can prepare the battery for charging, but it does not remove the effects of the charger, battery state, temperature or conditions at a particular site. Independent route tests would be needed to establish realistic charging-stop duration and trip energy use for a particular configuration.

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Rank #3
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.

Charging hardware and connector checks

Rivian’s technology page lists a Wall Charger and J1772 AC and Combo CCS1 DC adapters among R1S accessories. Confirm the exact vehicle year, connector, accessory specification and local electrical installation requirements before buying a charger or adapter. The live accessory listing alone does not establish compatibility with every Gen 2 vehicle or a particular home setup. Rivian’s technology and support page is the place to check current accessory information.

What ownership features depend on software or subscriptions?

Rivian’s software announcements show that the ownership experience can evolve through OTA updates, but timing and access are not universal. RivianOS 2 is being rolled out in batches to eligible Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles; the company says mobile live trips require Connect+. Confirm a particular vehicle’s update status and check Rivian’s current Connect+ terms before assigning value to a subscription feature. Availability and service terms may change.

Rank #4
Diecast Model Car Compatible with Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green 1:18 31466GRN
  • Brand new box.
  • Real rubber tires.
  • Steerable wheels.
  • Has opening doors.
  • Detailed interior, exterior.

Rivian’s Smart Charging Schedule Recommendation announcement said that over 70% of EV charging sessions do not occur during off-peak hours. That is a Rivian-published statistic, not an independently verified industry figure in the available material. The feature is intended to help owners consider when to charge; whether it lowers a household’s bill depends on the utility rate plan and charging routine. Rivian’s charging and autonomy update announcement describes the recommendation.

What driver assistance does the R1S offer?

Rivian describes Enhanced Highway Assist as allowing hands-free driving on compatible highways while the driver remains attentive. Hands-free operation is not autonomous driving: the driver must continue paying attention and be ready to respond. Highway compatibility and feature availability should be checked for the vehicle and region.

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Best Value
Sale
KUST Windshield Sun Shade for Rivian R1T R1S Accessories 2022-2025 2026 Sunshade Window Sun Visor Protector Foldable Blocks UV Rays Keep Your Car Cooler
  • 【Vehicle Specific】KUST Windshield Shade Cover custom fit for 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Rivian R1T R1S, Full covered your windshield,No Gap,100% Perfect fit.
  • 【Double Thickness Fabric】Made of 250T Reflective Fabric, this material features higher density.Double-layer design including black heat insulation layers and silver reflective layers,providing better protection against Sun, blocks up to 99% of damaging UV rays and Heat build-up.(NOTE:The Silver side is OUTWARD,while Black side is INWARD.)
  • 【Air Condition Works Faster & Easier】Using less energy and gas instead of having to wait 15 minutes for your AC to cool off your car, the AC cools faster & easier. Saves your money while making your drive much more comfortable and enjoyable.
  • 【Great Protection】With KUST windscreen sun shade,it can protect car interior from harmful UV rays and heat that will fade dash and seats.Also when you travel by car or need a nap,our Custom fit Windshield Shades can block 99% sun shine and UV rays,give you and your family more protection.
  • 【Easy to install and store】With a fit precise,you just need to align and install, stable and displacement.Very easy to store due to the strong resilience and foldability.(NOTE: The key to success is to grab the sun shade diagonal and twist like''8'')

At its March 2025 launch, Rivian described 135,000 miles of highway coverage in the United States and Canada. That is a dated launch figure, not a verified statement of current coverage. Rivian’s Enhanced Highway Assist announcement and March 2025 R1 software update explain the feature and its original scope.

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Are the 2027 R1S range and price figures Gen 2 specifications?

No: they are 2027 model-year figures and should not be presented as a blanket specification for Gen 2 R1S vehicles. On October 4, 2026, Rivian’s live configurator surfaced a 2027 R1S Quad configuration with a $121,990 starting price and 338 miles of EPA-estimated range. Separately, Rivian’s August 2026 announcement said 2027 Performance models reach up to 371 miles EPA-estimated. These figures refer to different stated configurations; the configurator’s price and range may change, and the Performance maximum should not be assigned to every trim. Check the live R1S configurator and 2027 model announcement for current model-year information.

EPA-estimated range is not the same as independently measured highway range or a guarantee for a road trip. No independent range, route-specific energy-use or charging-stop tests are established here. Compare estimates for the same model year and configuration, then use a test that reflects the speeds, weather and route you expect to drive.

What should a buyer verify before choosing an R1S?

  • Model year and seating: Confirm whether the vehicle is Gen 2 or part of the 2027 lineup, and inspect the actual second-row layout.
  • Motor and battery: Verify the trim and configuration; Quad output figures are not a specification for every R1S.
  • Range and charging: Check the current EPA estimate for the exact configuration, then look for independent route and charging tests if trip planning is central to the decision.
  • Software and assistance: Ask which OTA updates and driver-assistance features are active, which are eligible, and whether a subscription is required.
  • Home charging: Confirm connector and accessory compatibility and assess installation needs with a qualified local professional.
  • Ownership costs and support: Obtain current warranty, repair-cost, service-access and transaction-price information directly for the region and vehicle under consideration; those details are not established by the figures above.

A full competitor ranking is not supported by the available evidence. A useful same-year comparison should line up EPA-estimated range, battery and motor configuration, charging connector and curve, seating and cargo layout, driver-assistance terms, transaction price and warranty or service access.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
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. 2
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
SaleBestseller No. 3
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. 4
Diecast Model Car Compatible with Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green 1:18 31466GRN
Diecast Model Car Compatible with Rivian R1T Pick Up Truck Metallic Green 1:18 31466GRN
Brand new box.; Real rubber tires.; Steerable wheels.; Has opening doors.; Detailed interior, exterior.
$59.99

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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