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Rivian’s second-generation R1T and R1S are substantially different beneath their familiar bodywork. Gen 2, introduced in June 2024, replaces much of the electrical, computing, sensing and drive-unit hardware. The 2027 model year builds on that foundation with revised trims, colors and R1S seating choices, while detailed pricing and equipment remain configuration-dependent until Rivian publishes a complete order guide.
What changed in the Gen 2 Rivian R1T and R1S?
The exterior redesign is restrained, but the underlying vehicle is not. Rivian reduced the number of electrical-control units, shortened wiring, added sensors and computing capacity, and reworked the motors and software architecture.
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| Area | Gen 1 R1 | Gen 2 R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical architecture | 17 electrical-control units | 7 control units and 1.6 fewer miles of wiring per vehicle, according to Rivian |
| Cameras | Earlier sensor and compute hardware | 11 cameras producing 55 megapixels in total |
| AI compute | Less local processing headroom | Three times the infotainment-computer AI compute power |
| Autonomy sensors | Earlier sensor suite | Five radars plus an onboard computer capable of more than 200 trillion operations per second |
| Software platform | Gen 1-specific hardware capabilities | RivianOS 2 compatibility with more local processing capacity |
Rivian says the zonal architecture is designed to scale across future vehicle platforms. Fewer controllers and less wiring can simplify manufacturing and leave more computing capacity for software, diagnostics and driver-assistance features, although the company has not published a direct Gen 1-versus-Gen 2 efficiency or repair-cost comparison.
Why the electrical redesign matters
Traditional vehicles distribute many separate controllers throughout the body. A zonal design groups functions by vehicle area and links them through a higher-capacity network. Rivian’s stated change—from 17 control units to seven and 1.6 miles less wiring—does not by itself guarantee a particular range increase, but it creates a simpler base for updates and new vehicle programs.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
More cameras, radar and onboard processing
Gen 2’s 11-camera, 55-megapixel system is paired with five radars and a computer rated above 200 trillion operations per second. Rivian describes its approach as early sensor fusion: raw camera, radar and other sensor data are combined into a unified model of the vehicle’s surroundings before driver-assistance decisions are made.
What does Gen 2 change for driver assistance?
The hardware gives Rivian more room to add locally processed features, but it does not turn an R1 into an autonomous vehicle. Rivian launched Enhanced Highway Assist in March 2025 on 135,000 miles of highways in the United States and Canada, with further expansion planned.
Rivian vice president for Autonomy and AI James Philbin said, “We are excited to continue releasing new updates and dramatically expanding our autonomy features. Everything on our Gen 2 roadmap is capable with the hardware on our vehicles today.” That is a statement about the company’s planned capabilities, not a guarantee that every feature is available in every region or on every R1 configuration.
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Rank #2
- Brand new box.
- Real rubber tires.
- Steerable wheels.
- Has opening doors.
- Detailed interior, exterior.
Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles can receive different software features because their sensors and computers differ. Buyers comparing used or remaining Gen 1 inventory with a new R1 should treat hardware generation as an important ownership distinction, not merely a cosmetic model-year change.
How much more powerful is the new R1 Quad?
The second-generation Quad uses four motors—one at each wheel—and is rated at 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque, according to Rivian’s 2025 specification. Rivian claims 0–60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds and a 10.5-second quarter mile for a specified configuration. Those are manufacturer claims, and acceleration varies with configuration and conditions.
Oil-cooled motors and a rear disconnect
The new motors use oil cooling to manage heat during low-speed, high-torque driving while supporting efficiency during highway cruising. In Conserve mode, an automatic rear disconnect can reduce drive-unit drag when full all-wheel-drive demand is unnecessary. The system is intended to balance strong launch performance with lower losses during steady driving; it does not mean every drive is front- or rear-wheel drive in every situation.
Rank #3
- 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
Choosing Dual, Tri or Quad
Rivian’s Dual, Tri and Quad powertrains represent different compromises among efficiency, price, acceleration and maximum performance. The Quad is the performance flagship described above. No single current range or price is published for each powertrain, so buyers should compare the exact build shown in Rivian’s configurator rather than applying one figure to every R1T or R1S.
What changed about charging?
Every model-year 2026 R1 vehicle has a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. Rivian says Quad vehicles include a CCS DC adapter, allowing access to CCS charging equipment as well.
This changes the practical charging routine: a 2026 R1 can connect directly to NACS equipment, while a CCS site may require the included adapter on applicable Quad vehicles. Before buying, check the connector used by your home charger, workplace and regular fast-charging stops, and confirm that any adapter is compatible with both the exact vehicle and the station.
Rank #4
- Brand new box.
- Real rubber tires.
- Steerable wheels.
- Has opening doors.
- Detailed interior, exterior.
What is new in RivianOS 2 and the cabin technology?
RivianOS 2 provides a common software stack for the R1 and the upcoming R2 family. The 2026.31 update introduced a redesigned interface with dynamic controls, a vertical status bar, rebuilt settings search and Unreal Engine 5 graphics. Google Maps route alerts were also added, while weather and mobile-trip features require a Connect+ subscription.
Rivian says it had added about 500 features through more than 30 over-the-air updates during the 2.5 years ending in June 2024. That is a dated company figure, not a promise of a fixed future update count. Gen 1 owners may receive the same software family but not the same functions when their hardware lacks the required sensors or processing capacity.
What does the 2027 R1T and R1S update add?
An independent report published in August 2026 describes a relatively light model-year refresh on top of the Gen 2 hardware:
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- Revised interior trims.
- New exterior colors.
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs for the R1S, creating a six-seat layout.
- Simplified Premium, Performance and Quad trim naming.
The report found no change to headline performance or range claims. Rivian’s official pages do not yet provide a complete 2027 order guide, so exact pricing, availability, standard equipment and regional combinations should be treated as configuration-dependent until Rivian confirms them.
R1S seating decision
The captain’s-chair option is the clearest functional 2027 change: it converts the R1S to six seats and creates a more separated second row. Buyers who need maximum passenger capacity should compare it with the standard three-seat second row before ordering, because the choice changes the vehicle’s seating layout rather than simply adding trim.
Should you buy a Gen 1 or Gen 2 Rivian?
Gen 2 is the stronger choice for buyers who value the latest electrical architecture, additional sensors, greater onboard compute, the newest autonomy roadmap and native NACS access on 2026 vehicles. Gen 1 can still make sense when a lower transaction price or a specific used-vehicle configuration outweighs the hardware differences.
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- Hardware: confirm the vehicle generation and compare its electrical, camera, radar and computing equipment.
- Powertrain: choose Dual, Tri or Quad based on your priority—efficiency, price, acceleration or maximum performance.
- Charging: map your regular charging locations and determine whether you need native NACS access, a CCS adapter or both.
- Software: check which RivianOS and driver-assistance functions are enabled for that hardware, and identify Connect+ features that require a subscription.
- 2027 configuration: compare colors, interior materials, trim names and the R1S six-seat option against available earlier inventory.
The bottom line for R1 shoppers
Gen 2 is a genuine internal overhaul, not a minor facelift: Rivian changed the electrical network, sensors, computing platform, autonomy hardware, motors and software foundation. The 2027 R1T and R1S mainly add choice—trim presentation, colors and R1S seating—without an established change to headline range or performance. Compare the exact model year, powertrain, connector equipment and software eligibility before treating two similarly styled R1s as equivalent.
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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.
