“A thousand horsepower SUV that actually earns its price tag.”
8.4
Inside Scoop Score
Buy · 8.4 / 10
THE VERDICT
The Rivian R1S Quad-Motor Max Pack is a genuinely remarkable machine — 835-1000hp, 338 miles of EPA range, and real-world highway efficiency that holds up under testing. It starts at $122,000 and climbs to $128,000+ with options, which is a lot of money, but reviewers from Car and Driver to MotorTrend agree it delivers on the promise. The one legitimate gripe is the charging architecture: a 144kWh battery on 400V means peak charge speeds cap around 220kW, and a 5-to-80% fill takes nearly an hour.
Anchored by Out of Spec Testing's review
With 835-1000hp and over 1,100 lb-ft of torque, MotorTrend called it the quickest SUV tested, and TikTok reviewers noted it 'effortlessly dispatches slower traffic' without drama or fuss.
Out of Spec Testing recorded consistent 2.0-2.07 mi/kWh at a steady 70 mph in real-world conditions, making the 338-mile EPA figure credible rather than optimistic marketing.
Out of Spec's reviewer noted the R1S delivers a 'real SUV experience for ride height and comfort' without traditional body-on-frame harshness, calling it 'unlike anything else I've driven.'
We analyzed the expert reviews and owner discussions to surface the surprises buyers only learn after.
Despite the enormous Max Pack battery, the R1S Quad is still on 400V architecture, capping peak charge at roughly 220kW — meaning a 5-to-80% charge takes about 55 minutes, which feels slow for a $125k vehicle in a world of 800V competitors.
— from MotorTrend tested, Out of Spec Testing transcript
lightbulb Plan charging stops around meals or rest breaks; the 338-mile real-world range means you'll stop less often, but when you do, budget a full hour.
Even in Conserve mode on the highway, the Quad Motor configuration keeps both front motors active — unlike the Dual Motor which runs one, meaning efficiency gains from 'conserve' are more limited than buyers might expect.
— from Out of Spec Testing transcript
lightbulb Accept the efficiency trade-off as the cost of having instant quad-motor performance on demand; real-world highway efficiency still came in around 2.0-2.07 mi/kWh in testing.
The quad comes standard with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport S5 summer tires in aggressive widths (305mm rear), and switching to 20-inch all-terrain tires drops EPA range from 338 miles down to approximately 325 miles — a meaningful hit buyers on the fence about tire choice should factor in before purchase.
— from Out of Spec Testing transcript
lightbulb If you prioritize range over performance or off-road capability, stick with the stock summer rubber and avoid the all-terrain upgrade.
Performance-obsessed buyers who want the quickest three-row SUV on the planet and won't flinch at $125k-plus, especially those doing long highway trips where range matters more than charge speed.
Practical family buyers who can be honest with themselves — the Dual Motor R1S covers 99% of real needs for $30,000 less, and anyone in a city who charges daily will never touch the top of that battery.
Out of Spec Testing • 4600
"Today, Wes and Logan take the second-generation 2026 Rivian R1T (Gen 2) and R1S with the Max 144 kWh battery pack and ..."
Raiti's Rides • 38377
"The 2026 Rivian R1S Quad-Motor is a better SUV than a Cadillac Escalade IQ! **Please click the link to get your Raiti's Rides ..."
Everyday Chris • 54848
"2026 Rivian R1S Quad Motor with NACS charging. Did it finally get better? ⚡︎ Get FREE Credits / Cash with your Tesla or Solar ..."
MilesPerHr • 78450
"Join Miles as he gets coffee, commutes, runs errands, pursues hobbies, enjoys family time, and has some fun with the 2026 ..."
Doug DeMuro • 389328
"Visit https://joindeleteme.com/DEMURO for 20% off! CHECK OUT CARS & BIDS! https://crsnbds.com/doug This is the new Rivian ..."
Tailosive EV • 24579
"ALWAYS Use a Rivian Referral Code: https://rivian.com/configurations/list?"
Mike Kantorski • 10327
"Who Actually Needs the Gen 2 Quad-Motor Rivian R1T or R1S? With 1025 horsepower, a 0-60 time as fast as 2.5 seconds, and a ..."
Out of Spec Testing • 5191
"Today, Wes takes the 2026 Gen 2 1025 hp Rivian R1S Quad Motor around the Out of Spec Track, driving it all the way down to ..."
@drivenproductions
Got to spend the morning with the new Rivian R1S Quad Motor 835 HP all-electric SUV. This is a top-spec $98k (currently) vehicle and we shot a comprehensive review for YouTube. This is one of the cars that I would trade my Tesla Model X P100D in for frankly. #rivian #rivianr1s #electriccar #electricsuv #ev #evlife #nogas #fast #electricvehicle #tesla #teslamodelx #teslalife #future #futuretechnology #popular #dailydriver #carreviews
favorite 28
@globedrive
Globe Drive’s Matt Bubbers tests the new Rivian R1S Quad-Motor. He says it is impressive … and scary. #rivian #rivianr1s #carreview #ev #electriccar #suv
favorite 18
@24.7_auto_reviews
6/7 — One word…. FAST! This R1S is the quad motor and it is something else. Super fast acceleration. Effortlessly gets you around the slow cars 🤣. #fast #electric #rivian #smooth #carreview #electricsuv #lightingquick
favorite 32
@coolcarfeatures
Let me show you some of the cool features you can find in the 2026 Rivian R1S luxury electric SUV. Price as shown for this Quad Max trim is $126,385. ##Rivian##RivianR1S##CarFeatures##CarReview##CarTech
favorite 206
@abigailmartiin
Still the coolest car I’ve ever had the privilege of driving 😮💨 #rivian #rivianr1s
favorite 2.6K
@aftyrn_
To me this is the perfect mom car!!! #rivian #rivianR1S #momcar #cartour #luxerycar
favorite 836
@austintechtips
I Drove the $130,000 Ultimate Rivian R1S
favorite 163
@carconfections
Is this new Rivian R1S an Escalade and Range Rover killer?? Rivian may be a new company, but this car is not to be underestimated! Especially when you put your foot down and put all 835 hp to the ground! Do you like the new Rivian R1S?? Let us know in the comments!! #rivian #rivianr1s #suv #electric #ev #evsuv #coolest #fancy #luxurycars #awesome #cars #carreview #carconfections #carsofinstagram #automotive #fyp #youtube #rivianfans #rivianclub
favorite 5.3K
Rivian's quad-motor vehicles have a ton of range, They're stunning on the road and impressive off-road. VERDICT: Glorious overkill. 5-passenger ...
Final Verdict: Would I Buy It Again? Absolutely. The R1T Tri-Motor is a significant improvement over the Gen 1 Quad. It's more stable, more ...
Replenishing that Max Pack takes a long time given the merely decent 220-kW peak charge speed; charging from 5 to 80 percent took 55 minutes in ...
Producing 850hp and 1,102lb ft, it surpassed the first gen's quad-motor capabilities. It comes at a price, but the quad-motor has the power and ...
Gen 2 Rivian R1S Quad: My thoughts! For the first time since the Gen 2 launched (18 months ago already) I’ve driven one that has me toying with the ...
"What an amazing highway cruiser. The way it drives is really unlike anything else I've driven, I think."
Out of Spec Testing (top reviewer transcript)
"Tested: 2025 Rivian R1S Quad Motor is the quickest SUV — replenishing that Max Pack takes a long time given the merely decent 220-kW peak charge speed."
MotorTrend
"Glorious overkill — stunning on the road and impressive off-road."
Car and Driver
The R1S Quad-Motor Max Pack is one of the most capable vehicles ever built — but you are absolutely paying for that privilege, and the charging hardware doesn't match the powertrain ambition.
Buy on Amazon open_in_newScoped 12 days ago across 34 sources on 5 platforms.