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Rivian R1T and R1S Quad-Motor review: extraordinary performance, but not unbeatable

Rivian’s Gen 2 Quad is exceptionally quick and capable off-road, but it does not beat every rival in every condition. Here are the tested speed, range, towing, charging and ownership trade-offs.
Entry821 Date Time7 min MechanicCarCody Team
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No. The second-generation Rivian R1T and R1S Quad-Motor are among the quickest and most capable electric vehicles available, particularly on difficult terrain, but the evidence does not support saying they beat every competitor in every condition. Rivian claims a 0–60 mph time as low as 2.5 seconds, while independent testing recorded 2.6 seconds for the R1T Quad—exactly matching the Tesla Cybertruck Beast. Range also varies sharply with battery, wheels, tires, weather and load, and a 6,100-pound trailer cut one observed R1T Quad test to 110 miles.

What the second-generation Quad-Motor includes

The Gen 2 Quad uses four electric motors, one at each wheel. Rivian lists 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. That layout lets the control system vary torque at each corner rather than relying only on axle-level adjustments.

Item Rivian Quad-Motor information
Vehicles 2026-model-year R1T pickup and R1S SUV
Motors Four, with one motor at each wheel
Output 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque
Rivian 0–60 claim As little as 2.5 seconds
R1T comparison-page figure 2.6 seconds in Rivian’s stated comparison configuration
Maximum EPA-estimated range Up to 374 miles with the Max battery, depending on configuration
Conserve-mode claim More than 400 miles under suitable conditions
Charging hardware Native NACS inlet beginning with model year 2026; a CCS DC adapter is included

Rivian’s acceleration and quarter-mile figures require Launch mode and specified 22-inch road wheels and tires. The company says battery state, tires, drive mode, payload and weather can change the result, and Launch mode is intended for closed-course use.

How fast is the 2026 Rivian Quad?

Claimed acceleration

Rivian advertises 0–60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds. Its comparison material lists 2.6 seconds for the R1T configuration shown there. Those are not universal results for every wheel, tire or battery combination.

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Independent instrumented result

Car and Driver measured an R1T Quad-Motor Max Pack at 2.6 seconds to 60 mph. In the same publication’s testing, that tied the Tesla Cybertruck Beast rather than beating it. The tie is the clearest available apples-to-apples acceleration check against a high-performance rival.

Comparison Measured or stated result Qualification
R1T Quad 2.6 seconds to 60 mph Car and Driver instrumented test; Max Pack
Tesla Cybertruck Beast 2.6 seconds to 60 mph Car and Driver instrumented comparison
Rivian manufacturer claim As little as 2.5 seconds Launch mode and specified 22-inch road wheels/tires

Why the Quad is so effective off-road

Independent wheel control

Rivian says the Quad can adjust torque independently at each wheel. If one tire starts spinning, the system can reduce power to that wheel without taking the same amount of drive from the other three. That is useful on loose gravel, cross-axle articulation, steep rock and uneven climbs where a conventional axle or two-motor system may have fewer ways to manage traction.

Observed trail behavior

During a Lake Tahoe drive, Ars Technica’s Tim Stevens reported that the R1S Quad climbed difficult rock, gravel and articulation sections while the software continuously managed traction. He also observed regeneration changing dynamically on descents, helping control speed without relying solely on the friction brakes.

That evidence supports a strong off-road case, but it was a manufacturer-organized first drive with Rivian-provided travel and accommodation. Ars says it does not accept paid editorial content; the organized setting still matters when judging how broadly to generalize the impressions.

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Quad versus Cybertruck off-road

The available evidence does not establish a universal winner between the R1 Quad and Cybertruck Beast on every trail, surface or tire. The Rivian’s four-corner torque control is a meaningful technical advantage in situations that demand fine wheel-by-wheel intervention. A complete head-to-head comparison would also need identical tires, pressures, payloads, weather, obstacles and driver technique; those conditions are not established here.

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Real-world range: battery and tires matter more than the headline

Rivian’s estimates

Rivian lists up to 374 miles of EPA-estimated range for a Max-battery configuration and says Conserve mode can exceed 400 miles. Those figures are configuration-dependent. Wheel and tire selection materially changes efficiency, so the maximum number should not be treated as the expected result for every Quad.

Independent testing

Car and Driver recorded 250 miles in a Quad-Motor Large Pack range test. That is a measured result for that battery and test conditions, not a replacement for the EPA estimate across the lineup.

What to expect with all-terrain tires

No quantified all-terrain-tire range result is established in the available testing. Rivian explicitly warns that tire choice affects results, so an all-terrain setup should be expected to trade some efficiency for traction and durability. Treat any exact all-terrain figure quoted elsewhere as configuration- and test-specific unless it identifies the battery, wheels, tires, weather, speed and load.

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Towing can cut range dramatically

In Car and Driver’s test, towing a 6,100-pound trailer at 70 mph reduced observed range to 110 miles. That result illustrates the aerodynamic and weight penalty of towing at highway speed; it is not a universal range rating for every trailer or route. Headwind, temperature, grade, trailer profile, speed and starting charge can all change the outcome.

Rivian’s published information does not establish a Quad payload figure or a complete trailer-rating table. For a specific job, use the truck’s certification label, owner’s information and trailer requirements rather than inferring payload from the motor output.

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Charging and road-trip practicality

Connector change for 2026

Quad vehicles beginning with model year 2026 use a native NACS charging inlet. Rivian includes a CCS DC adapter, allowing use of compatible CCS fast chargers. This gives owners a choice of connector standards, but charging speed and availability still depend on the station, battery temperature, state of charge and site conditions.

What the numbers do not tell you

A 374-mile EPA estimate, a 250-mile independent test and a 110-mile towing result describe three different use cases. They should not be averaged into a single “real-world range” number. Plan trips around the configuration you actually drive and leave a larger buffer when carrying cargo, using aggressive tires or towing.

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Ride, noise and everyday usability

The Quad’s performance hardware can impose daily-driving compromises. Ars Technica found the performance-tire R1T harsh over broken asphalt, noisy and short on steering feedback. The same review noted that the vehicles lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those observations do not erase the Quad’s capability, but they matter if the truck will spend more time commuting than climbing trails.

The R1T is the pickup version and the R1S is the SUV version. The available material does not provide directly comparable cargo-volume or seating measurements, so choose between them by body style and your required bed or enclosed-cargo configuration rather than assuming one is universally more practical.

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Price and model choice

Model Starting price announced July 2025 Price qualification
R1T Quad $115,990 Rivian announcement; Launch Edition pricing was higher
R1S Quad $121,990 Rivian announcement; Launch Edition pricing was higher

These are announcement starting prices, not a guarantee of today’s configured transaction price. Options, destination charges, taxes and later pricing changes can alter the amount paid.

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Which Rivian accessories are actually useful on trails?

Recovery equipment

An Rivian R1T/R1S off-road recovery kit is the most directly trail-focused item in Rivian’s accessory list. Recovery gear is useful only when its ratings, attachment points and operating instructions match the vehicle and the recovery situation; it does not replace safe route selection or another capable vehicle.

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Carrying and charging

  • Rivian-compatible cargo crossbars: useful when you need to carry equipment outside the cabin or pickup bed.
  • Rivian portable charger: a backup for locations with suitable AC power, not a substitute for planning DC fast-charging stops.
  • Combo CCS1 adapter: included with 2026 Quad vehicles for compatible CCS DC stations.
  • J1772 AC adapter: useful for compatible AC charging equipment.

Protection and organization

  • R1 Quad all-weather floor mats: sensible for mud, sand and wet gear.
  • Field kit: potentially useful for remote travel, depending on the contents and your existing equipment.

Verify current compatibility, stock and pricing for the exact R1T or R1S model before ordering. The accessory list alone does not establish that every item fits every wheel, bed, roof or model-year configuration.

Is the Quad better than the competition?

Decision area What is established for the Rivian Quad What remains unproven as a universal advantage
Acceleration 2.6 seconds to 60 mph in Car and Driver’s R1T test It tied the Cybertruck Beast in that test
Off-road traction Four independently controlled motors and strong observed performance on rock, gravel and articulation No controlled, identical-condition sweep against every rival
Range Up to 374 EPA-estimated miles with Max battery; 250 miles in a Large Pack test All-terrain range is not quantified here; tires and conditions change results
Towing 6,100-pound trailer at 70 mph produced 110 miles in one test Result varies with trailer, speed, terrain and weather
Charging Native NACS from model year 2026 plus included CCS adapter Actual trip convenience depends on station coverage and operating conditions
Price R1T from $115,990; R1S from $121,990 in July 2025 announcement Launch Edition and configured prices were higher or may differ
Ride and infotainment Performance-tire R1T review found harshness, noise, limited steering feedback and no CarPlay/Android Auto Those are compromises, not a performance advantage

Verdict: exceptional capability, not an “any conditions” sweep

The Gen 2 Quad is a compelling choice if you want supercar-level acceleration, sophisticated wheel-by-wheel traction control and either a pickup or SUV body. Its strongest case is difficult terrain, where independent motors can keep three wheels working while one loses grip. Its weakest assumptions are the headline range and the idea that towing is effortless: tire selection changes efficiency, and a heavy trailer can reduce highway range to a fraction of the unladen figure.

Buy the R1T or R1S Quad for its combination of speed and control, not because it has proven superiority in every metric. Against the Cybertruck Beast, the best published acceleration test is a tie; against any rival, a fair off-road or range verdict requires matching tires, loads, weather and test methods.

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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