The Rivian R1S Electric Adventure SUV: Your Off-Road EV Awaits

As an avid outdoorsman always plotting my next backcountry adventure, I‘m intrigued when a vehicle promises to blend extreme capability with sustainable transportation. That‘s why the Rivian R1S has grabbed my attention as the first luxury SUV designed specifically for electric off-road domination straight from the factory floor.

Dubbed an "Electric Adventure Vehicle", the R1S combines legitimate zero-emission credentials with the four-wheel-drive confidence and cargo room adventurers need for epic trips outside the city limits.

In this hands-on guide, we’ll take a deep dive into Rivian’s battery-powered trail-tamer to see what secrets hide beneath its futuristic skin, and whether it lives up to the thrill-seeking hype.

Overview

The Rivian R1S slots into the midsize luxury SUV segment with a total length of 200.8 inches. What sets it apart is the bespoke skateboard platform optimized specifically for housing a high-capacity battery pack.

Available in 5, 7, or 8 passenger configurations, the quintessential EV startup promises up to 316 miles of range and a staggering 835 horsepower in top-trim quad motor spec.

That means the all-wheel drive R1S can silently storm from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds – quicker than a Ferrari F8. Of course stump-pulling torque matters most for actual off-road prowess…and this EV SUV boasts up to 908 ft-lbs ready to turn 35-inch rubber into weapons of traction.

While those supercar rivaling specs tickle the adrenal glands of an adventure junkie like myself, actual capability when pavement turns to gravel also impresses thanks to Rivian’s focus on delivering a true 4×4.

Pricing & Order Status

Let’s kick off by getting the sticker shock out of the way. The R1S isn’t aiming for value – rather it occupies the premium tier starting at $72,500. Spring for quad motors and larger battery pack, and you’re looking at an $87,000 SUV before any additional options.

Of course with Extreme E off-road racing inspiring more environmentally conscious adventures, perhaps the ask isn’t outrageous for a crew cab EV that reduces your carbon tires while trace treading sensitive ecosystems.

Speaking of waiting, that delivery timeline reflects huge demand, with pre-orders surpassing 90,000 units since late 2018.

Rivian ambitiously targeted manufacturing 40,000 vehicles in 2022 but cut production goals in half due to supply chain and parts shortages. Those issues continue delaying deliveries, though Rivian hopes to fill all pre-orders by the end of 2023.

Early owners praise off-road talent but identify quality concerns – perhaps the reality check needed for new brands scaling rapidly. Yet software updates address issues quickly – the beauty of connected EVs.

For now, the R1S remains an aspirational halo for outdoor lovers craving emission-free adventure. Let’s examine why Rivian is confident this SUV levels up freedom beyond the Jeep and Land Rover establishment.

Technical Specifications & Performance

Rivian vehicles ride on a skateboard-style chassis optimizing interior volume and lowering the center of gravity by placing the battery pack and motors below the passenger compartment.

Let’s examine key technical specifications of the R1S that translate that architecture into actual gas-trumping performance.

|| Dual Motor AWD | Quad Motor AWD |
|–|–|–|
| Battery Capacity | Standard: Unknown kWh
Large: Unknown kWh | Standard: Unknown kWh
Large: Unknown kWh|
| Power | 600hp | 835hp |
| Torque | 600 ft-lbs | 908 ft-lbs |
|0-60 mph| 4 seconds | 3 seconds|
|Top Speed|125 mph|125 mph|
|Max Towing|7,700 lbs|7,700 lbs|
|Max Payload|1,800 lbs|1,800 lbs|
|Ground Clearance|14.9 inches|14.9 inches|

While Rivian plays its battery capacity close to the vest, CEO Scaringe promises an energy-dense pack with impressive thermal control allowing repeated hard driving without throttling output.

That theory proves out as several publications managed to complete 0-60 mph runs over ten times in succession without performance tapering off whatsoever.

For adventurers planning to tow equipment deep into the wilderness, note that max tow rating requires upgrading to the quad motors and larger battery pack. That provides necessary low-end torque critical for maintaining speed on steep grades – an advantage over rival EVs homologated only for modest trailing loads.

Mashing the throttle reveals neck-snapping pickup thanks to immediate electric torque. But the finely tuned air suspension and adaptive dampers actually make for a compliant ride whether bombing down loose gravel roads or cruising pavement on longer transits.

Multiple drive modes allow customizing performance – conserve battery on highways then amp up torque split for precise off-road spotting over technical terrain. It‘s inspiring flexibility few combustion SUVs match.

Interior Comfort & Technology

Given its exterior dimensions, Rivian makes smart use of the R1S footprint to deliver best-in-class interior roominess and storage versatility.

The R1S Adventure trim brings warm wood accents and plush microsuede headliners for a premium yet earthy look echoing national park lodges more than cyberpunk spaceships.

Available heated/cooled seats coddle all passengers, with power operation and adjustable thigh support pampering the pilot over long journeys. Fold the 60/40 split middle row and cavernous trunk down, and gear gobblers gain a massive 104 cu-ft for camping or overlanding.

The driver faces Rivian’s in-house glass cockpit system anchored by a large 16-inch center touchscreen. The intuitive interface groups controls logically, allowing easy toggling driving modes or adjusting ride height on the fly.

Over-the-air updates bring continuous feature enhancements, fine tuning details like power delivery and charging logic based on input from actual owners. Compare that to aging combustion platforms abandoning model years the moment they leave dealer lots!

While rich with features, early adopters report concerning build quality gremlins from ill-fitting body panels to wonky drive unit vibrations. Yet Rivian’s customer service earns high marks addressing issues quickly. Growing pains are typical for new manufacturers, but close communication and rapid response builds brand loyalty.

Off-Road Capability

Incredible traction ultimately determines any 4×4, with sophisticated gadgets playing backup to the tires’ tenacious grip when surfaces slip. This electric SUV proves profoundly surefooted thanks to fierce torque vectoring coordinating with meaty rubber.

Generating immediate power at all four corners unlocks maneuvers challenging even for combustion crawlers. Activating the Tank Turn mode brakes inside wheels while spinning outside units at differing rates letting the R1S rotate within its own footprint.

That parlor trick amazes bystanders, but serious rock crawlers demand chassis articulation allowing wheels to maintain contact over obstacles. Here, Rivian’s adjustable air suspension flexes high enough to traverse boulders without exposing delicate underbody components to impacts.

Explorers venturing far beyond cellular coverage need confidence in self-recovery should things go sideways. Thankfully, the R1S carries robust tow hooks, steel bash plates, and an onboard air compressor for field maintenance.

While construction focuses on strength rather than featherweight finesse, Rivian still manages to delete nearly 1,000 pounds compared to an equivalent Hummer EV. Reduced mass equals improved maneuverability tackling technical climbs.

Range & Charging Considerations

Rivian targets over 200 miles of driving from its standard battery, essential for remote missions far from the grid. Forking over more green backs range anxiety another 100 miles courtesy of the upgraded large battery option.

Max pack variants require quad motors, so keeping your right foot light sees 300+ miles possible before recharging – enough for ambitious weekend escapes. Plugging into Rivian’s 160 kW DC fast charging adds 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes – perfect for coffee pitstops when pathfinding off the beaten path.

Those figures meet my frequency of backcountry forays, but hardcore overlanders demand more miles between plugs. Rivian promises a larger-still 400+ mile battery in future R1 models, but curious engineers are already stuffing salvaged Tesla modules into their Adventure trucks chasing the 1,000 mile unicorn.

I love tinkering to optimize my vehicles for specific adventures, so it will be fascinating to see what modifications emerge addressing real world use cases as owner ship grows.

Competition & Alternatives

While Rivian essentially created this category blending extreme EV off-road talent with high-speed luxury, success predictably spurs new challengers.

The GMC Hummer EV Pickup tempts with spectacular rock crawling capability from its electric crab walk to one pedal driving maximizing mechanical grip – plus GM knows a thing or two about manufacturing scale and reliability.

Jeep promises theemission-free Wrangler Magneto concept evolves into a production 4xe model combining eco-sensitivity with the iconic go anywhere Wrangler ethos.

Even from Europe, the INEOS Grenadier previews a hydrogen-electric power alternative for off-grid enthusiasts.

While those contenders circle, today no production EV exists delivering the combined backcountry talent and sustainably pampered luxury the ambitious R1S manages straight from the showroom.

Rivian set a high bar – now we get to watch this intriguing startup spur more EVs extending adventures beyond the last charging station!

Take Your Eco-Adventure Off-Road

After scrutinizing Rivian’s proposed Electric Adventure Vehicle, I’m confident the R1S earns consideration from fellow explorers craving off-grid escapades without fully sacrificing comfort or the planet in the process.

Clearly early production models suffer build quality hiccups. Yet the underlying strengths shine through thanks to Rivian’s laser focus engineering an EV SUV for off-road excitement versus mere eco-commuting.

As charging infrastructure and battery capacities grow, emission-free overlanding unlocks precious landscapes where internal combustion becomes an unwelcome guest.

The transformational R1S writes an exciting new chapter for keeping our adventures sustainable – and with upgrades like 400+ mile max packs coming soon, today’s aspirations edge closer to eco-friendly reality than ever!

I don’t know about you, but I’m eager to schedule my first test drive…then start planning an epic zero-emission overland trip far beyond the streetlight glow once my order gets fulfilled!