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Rivian R1S dual-Motor Max Pack

“The coolest EV SUV alive, with asterisks you need to know.”

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8.4

Inside Scoop Score

Buy · 8.4 / 10

auto_awesome INSIDE SCOOP

The Inside Scoop

THE VERDICT

The 2025 Rivian R1S Dual-Motor Max Pack delivers 410 miles of range, genuinely impressive ride quality for a 6,500-lb SUV, and an interior that embarrasses rivals like the Kia EV9 on materials and vibe. It starts around $76K but real configurations push past $100K fast, and the all-screen interface plus missing Apple CarPlay demand real lifestyle adjustment. If you can live with the tech quirks and the price, there is nothing else quite like it on the road.

Anchored by CarGurus's review

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410-mile range with fast charging

The Max Pack delivers up to 410 miles of real-world range and supports 220 kW DC fast charging, getting you from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 40 minutes — competitive with any three-row EV on the market.

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Ride quality defies its weight

Updated air springs, adaptive dampers, and a hydraulic roll mitigation system make the 6,500-lb R1S feel planted and composed over rough pavement, with steering and brake pedal feel that reviewers describe as natural and predictable rather than twitchy.

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Interior materials are genuinely premium

Open-pore wood, metal trim pieces where rivals use plastic, and a 15.6-inch display with a redesigned, fast interface give the R1S a cabin that Car and Driver and CarGurus both note outclasses the Kia EV9 in feel and finish.

warning WATCH OUTS

Before You Buy — What Nobody Tells You

We analyzed the expert reviews and owner discussions to surface the surprises buyers only learn after.

  • heart_broken

    No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Ever.

    Rivian does not offer CarPlay or Android Auto at all, so if you want streaming music, podcasts, or familiar navigation, you are paying $14.99 a month for Rivian Connect Plus or you go without — this is not a software update coming later, it is a deliberate omission.

    — from CarGurus top reviewer transcript

    lightbulb Budget the $149.99 annual Connect Plus plan into your ownership cost from day one; it adds Spotify, Apple Music, Audible, and hotspot so the screen-only ecosystem becomes livable.

  • construction

    Third-row is a manual nightmare to reset

    Once the third-row seats are folded flat there is no strap or powered control to pull them back up — you either climb into the cargo area or fold the second row first, a genuinely frustrating process in a $100K-plus SUV.

    — from CarGurus top reviewer transcript

    lightbulb Fold the third row only when you are sure you need the cargo space; otherwise leave it up and use the powered second-row buttons instead.

  • emergency_share

    Highway range falls well short of 410 miles

    The 410-mile figure assumes mixed city and highway driving at roughly 3 miles per kWh; sustained highway speeds will pull that number down meaningfully, something buyers anchoring to the headline range only discover on their first long road trip.

    — from CarGurus top reviewer transcript; Facebook Rivian cross-country trip discussion

    lightbulb Use Rivian's built-in navigation for trip planning — it accounts for real-time conditions — and treat 410 miles as a best-case ceiling rather than a guaranteed number.

groups VERDICT

Who it's for

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Best For

Adventure-oriented families who want a capable, long-range electric SUV with premium materials, strong off-road credibility, and do not depend on CarPlay or Android Auto.

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Skip If

Buyers who want three genuinely usable rows for full-sized adults, hate subscription fees, or need Apple CarPlay as a daily non-negotiable.

smart_display VIDEO REVIEWS

Video reviews

12:24
person

2025 Rivian R1S Review: The Futuristic SUV

CarGurus • 126290

"Shop for a Rivian R1S on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/18nFxK The 2025 Rivian R1S takes the concept of an all-electric, three-row ..."

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20:23
person

2025 Rivian R1S Review | Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports • 64200

"We bought a Dual Motor Max Pack model for our test program to find out: Has Rivian fixed the stiff ride, touchy regen braking, and ..."

rocket_launch TIKTOK

TikTok takes

@recharged.com

You can’t even order this spec on Rivian’s site anymore. That’s why this R1S sold the moment it arrived. #rivianr1s #electricvehicles #carreview

favorite 85

@recharged.com

Tesla who? This Rivian R1S is stealing the entire EV spotlight with power and space. #rivianr1s #electricvehicles #usedcarmarket

favorite 149

@carconfections

The 2025 Rivian R1S might be a legitimate alternative for a full gas SUV, even for long road trips! Not only does the R1S have plenty of comfort and space for every passenger, but it also has a realistic range! Compared to a V8 Tahoe or Escalade, you could go about the same distance on a full charge. So, would you pay six figures for this new R1S?? #carreview #carsofinstagram #cars #automotive #carconfections #rivian #rivianr1s

favorite 1.1K

Show 5 more expand_more

@thetopherr6

Exploring The Impressive 370mile Range Of Our Suv #TheTopher #pov #driving #cars #carreviews #fyp #foryou #viral #trending

favorite 8

@drivingsports

Testing the off-road capabilites of the new 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Max SUV.

favorite 2.6K

@recharged.com

This is why the Rivian R1S is the hottest SUV in the game right now. Do you agree? #usedevmarket #rivianr1s #allterrainvehicle

favorite 280

@omardrives

The 2025 Rivian R1S is pretty wild #rivian #r1s #suv #cartok #carcommunity #carsoftiktok

favorite 31.9K

@themevich

Is Rivian R1S worth $90K?🧐 #rivian #rivianr1s #electricsuv #suv #carlovers #awd #evcar #awdnation #electriccar #cars @Rivian

favorite 2.3K

menu_book Editorial reviews · 4 expand_more
article
Car and Driver
Editorial

2026 Rivian R1S Review, Pricing, and Specs

We'd go for the Dual-Motor Large Pack model, as it comes with plenty of performance and up to 329 miles of driving range. Of course, if your money tree is in ...

article
Facebook · RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion
Editorial

Rivian R1S Max pack long trip review and discussion

Some observations about cross country travel in an R1S. I drove from Miami to New Mexico at normal freeway speeds (overall trip average of 60mph - but typically ...

format_quote What people are saying · 3 expand_more

"It is not the perfect EV SUV but it is definitely the coolest."

person

CarGurus top reviewer

"The Dual Max checks all the boxes. Acceleration is predictable, smooth, and there is more than enough torque."

person

MotorTrend

"The 2025 Rivian R1S might be a legitimate alternative for a full gas SUV, even for long road trips."

person

TikTok — @carconfections

The R1S Dual-Motor Max Pack is the best EV SUV for people who actually want to go somewhere wild — just walk in knowing about the screen dependency, the subscription, and the third row before you sign.

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Scoped 12 days ago across 33 sources on 5 platforms.