Meet the Rivian R1S, a 7-passenger electric SUV

I don't think it would be an overkill, but everyone's different. $65-70k is a lot of money to spend on any vehicle, not to mention that this is probably a starting price. I don't plan on taking my Rivian off-road on a weekly basis, but for me, it's the fact that when I do go camping or exploring a dozen or so times a year, I have the ability to do so in a fully capable EV and not have to worry about treating it with white gloves if I see a mud puddle or I spill something.

 

I noticed that the 180 kWh R1S has 5 seats instead of 7. I'm guessing that the 3rd row is dispensed with to allow for the extra batteries. Does anyone know if this means that there will be more interior storage space? I'd prefer that to a third row.

 

I think that each individual needs to make up his or her own mind about what type of car or light truck will best fit their individual needs, wants, and budget. Altho I'm an EV advocate, I would never try to tell anyone that they "should" or "ought to" buy a PEV (Plug-in EV); I would merely try to persuade them to consider whether or not a PEV would fit their lifestyle.

That goes double for an individual model of EV, and triple for one from an untried and untested company like Rivian. I have much hope for Rivian to be a success, but it seems foolish of me for anyone to commit to buying one of their vehicles before it's gotten some third-party reviews, let alone before it has entered production! (And yes, I am quite aware that many people did just that for the Tesla Model 3. But at least Tesla was not an untested company at that point; that was Tesla's fourth model, not its first.)

Re hazardous driving conditions, I'll say this: American auto makers have had much success in using psychological manipulation in marketing their bigger cars and trucks, marketing aimed at American buyers, especially women -- who make the buying decisions for a family car more often than men -- to convince them that the roads are dangerous, and that they need a big, "tough-looking" or even "mean-looking" SUV to keep them safe.

Even the Tesla Model X, which was very specifically marketed to "soccer moms", has a noticeably more "mean" or "angry" appearance to its "face" than a Model S. I used to wonder why; now, sadly, I understand.

Not that I think Rivian's R1S has a "mean" look, but with its "Land Rover" looks, it certainly is tough-looking!

So, VJS695, what I would hope is that you'll choose a car -- whether it's a PEV or a gasmobile -- based on what you really need in a vehicle, rather than buy into the "arms race" mentality of ever-larger, ever-heavier cars and light trucks on American roads.

 

To increase range it would be nice if you were able to "disable" 2 of the 4 motors while on the road. Seems like that would add a nice percentage range increase.

 

I think Rivian looks the opposite of mean,tough or menacing.

It looks like a friendly robot face.

 

R1S 7 seater will not be offering the larger capacity battery (180kwh battery).
Only the 5 seater R1S will have the option for the 180 kWh battery.

 

Towing a restored vintage 27’ Airstream (4-4500 pounds) with RS1? Tow mode? Anti-Sway technology? Trailer braking?

 

why is that?

 

Simple physics - no room. The 105 kWh and 135 kWh battery packs are made of 7 and 9 battery modules, respectively. The 180 kWh BP has 12 battery modules. The space for the 3 additional battery modules has to come from some where while still maintaining things like low center of gravity, wiring, cooling, and accessibility within the skateboard platform. Apparently Rivian decided to re-purpose the space where the 3rd row seats reside for the additional battery modules.

 

Range Rover front end looks dated and like "yesterday's" vehicle
The Rivian RS front end is iconic, futuristic & distinctive