Rivian didn't just build an electric truck; they built the ultimate tool for the great American outdoors. Combining the acceleration of a supercar with the off-road prowess of a mountain goat, Rivian proves that sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing fun. It is the brand for those who treat the world as their playground.
Explore the current production vehicles.
The truck that started the electric adventure revolution. The R1T was the first electric pickup to market, combining supercar-like acceleration with incredible off-road prowess. With its clever Gear Tunnel and Quad-Motor drive, it's the ultimate do-everything, go-anywhere machine.
The 3-row, all-electric SUV built for the modern family's grandest adventures. The R1S shares the R1T's astounding performance and capability, but in a spacious, versatile package that can carry your whole crew and their gear to the mountains or the coast with zero emissions.
The adventure you've been waiting for, now more accessible than ever. The upcoming R2 is a smaller, more affordable SUV that distills the essence of the Rivian brand into a clever, practical package. It's designed to bring electric adventure to everyone.
A surprise vision of the future that blends a crossover with a rally-inspired hatchback. The R3 and the performance-focused R3X promise a new dimension of fun and versatility, showcasing Rivian's commitment to innovative design and driving pleasure.
The friendly-faced workhorse designed to electrify global logistics, famously in partnership with Amazon. The EDV is a ground-up redesign of the delivery van, focused on driver safety, efficiency, and creating a better last-mile delivery experience for everyone.
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For a long time, the electric car narrative was dominated by one name. Then, out of the cornfields of Normal, Illinois, came a company that asked a different question: "What if an EV could climb a mountain?" Rivian beat Ford, GM, and Tesla to the market with the first production electric pickup truck, but they didn't just win the race; they changed the sport. A Rivian isn't just a vehicle; itâs a Swiss Army Knife on wheels designed for the REI demographic.
If Tesla is the iPhone of cars, Rivian is the Garmin watch. Itâs rugged, purpose-built, and unapologetically outdoorsy. While other brands obsess over 0-60 times on drag strips (which Rivian is surprisingly good at, by the way), Rivian obsesses over wading depth, approach angles, and how easy it is to cook a meal in the wilderness.
The design language tells you everything. The "Stadium" headlights (the vertical ovals) give the vehicle a friendly, cartoon-character face. It lacks the aggression of a Ram TRX or the dystopian angles of a Cybertruck. It looks like a friend that wants to go camping.
The secret sauce is the "Skateboard" platform. By packaging the battery, motors, and suspension flat at the bottom, Rivian creates massive interior space and a low center of gravity. But the real magic is in the motors.
Rivian's flagship setup uses four independent motorsâone for each wheel. This allows for torque vectoring that defies physics. The computer can send 100% of power to the outside rear wheel to push the truck around a corner, or instantly lock a wheel that is in the air while off-roading. It mimics the capability of locking differentials without the mechanical weight.
In the Gen 2 updates (2024+), they introduced an in-house Tri-Motor setup (two rear, one front) that offers a staggering 850 horsepower, proving they aren't just integrators; they are powertrain engineers.
The R1T is a mid-size truck with full-size capability. But itâs the quirks that make owners fall in love.
The R1S is the SUV sibling. It is boxy, handsome, and seats seven adults comfortably. With the second and third rows folded flat, you can inflate an air mattress and sleep in the back looking up at the stars through the panoramic glass roof. It has become the status symbol of choice for affluent families in coastal cities, replacing Range Rovers in school drop-off lines.
Here is a deep cut for the nerds: Rivianâs suspension system is conceptually similar to a McLaren supercar. It uses a hydraulic cross-linked roll control system. There are no physical sway bars.
On the road, the hydraulics stiffen to prevent body roll, making this 7,000-pound truck handle like a sports sedan. Off-road, the system goes limp, allowing for wheel articulation that keeps the tires planted on uneven rocks. It is a brilliant "have your cake and eat it too" solution.
Rivianâs infotainment software is beautiful. Built using Unreal Engine (yes, the video game engine), the graphics are buttery smooth. When you change drive modes, the vehicle render on the screen changes the background environmentâsand for off-road, asphalt for sport. It features native Spotify and Apple Music integration, though they famously resist Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, preferring to control the full stack experience.
In 2024, Rivian dropped a bomb with the reveal of the R2, R3, and R3X.
The R2 is the mass-market playâa smaller, cheaper SUV aimed directly at the Tesla Model Y, but with a rugged soul.
The R3X is a retro-futuristic rally hatch that looks like a Lancia Delta Integrale from the year 2050. These models show that Rivian isn't a one-hit wonder; they are building a design legacy.
Rivian didn't just rely on public chargers. They built the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN). These are high-speed chargers located near national parks, trailheads, and remote destinations where regular chargers don't exist. Itâs a brilliant strategy: they aren't just selling you a car; they are selling you the infrastructure to get to Yosemite.
Youâve probably seen the cute, boxy Amazon vans delivering packages. Those are Rivians (the EDV). This commercial partnership provided the cash flow and scale to keep the company alive during the "production hell" phase. It proved that Rivianâs platform is durable enough for the grueling stop-and-go abuse of delivery routes.
You choose a Rivian because you want an EV, but you don't want to be associated with the "Tech Bro" stigma of Tesla. You want something that feels warmer, more human, and more capable.
It is the vehicle for the person who actually uses their weekends. Whether itâs hauling mountain bikes to Moab or just hauling mulch from Home Depot, the Rivian does it with a silent, effortless competence that makes gas trucks feel archaic.
Rivian is the most exciting American automotive startup since Tesla. They have successfully carved out a niche as the "Premium Adventure" brand. Their build quality has improved drastically, and their vehicles offer a unique combination of on-road comfort and off-road invincibility. If your life involves dirt, snow, or gear, Rivian is the electric answer.
The Gear Tunnel is a signature feature of the Rivian R1T truck. It is a fully enclosed, waterproof storage compartment located between the rear seats and the truck bed.
It offers 11 cubic feet of storage space, accessible from either side of the vehicle. It is strong enough to stand on (for loading roof racks) and was famously designed to house the optional "Camp Kitchen." It is perfect for storing muddy hiking boots, snowboards, or golf clubs securely.
Yes. In a major move for the industry, Rivian has gained access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Current owners can use an NACS (North American Charging Standard) adapter to charge at compatible Superchargers.
Furthermore, future Rivian vehicles (starting around 2025) will come factory-equipped with the NACS port, eliminating the need for an adapter. This grants Rivian owners access to the largest and most reliable fast-charging network in North America.
This choice comes down to performance versus range:
The Rivian R1T is a serious workhorse. It has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs.
However, it is important to note that towing heavy loads will significantly impact electric range (often cutting it by 50%, similar to how gas mpg drops). The truck's software is smart enough to learn your trailer's weight and aerodynamics to provide adjusted range estimates so you don't get stranded.
Camp Mode transforms the vehicle into the ultimate campsite basecamp. Its coolest feature is Vehicle Leveling.
Using the air suspension, the R1T or R1S can individually adjust each wheel to make the cabin perfectly flat, even if you are parked on uneven, rocky terrain. This ensures you don't roll off your sleeping mat if you are sleeping inside the vehicle or in a rooftop tent.
The Rivian R1S is widely considered one of the best electric family haulers. Unlike many competitors where the third row is "kids only," the R1S third row can accommodate average-sized adults reasonably well.
With all seats flat, it offers over 104 cubic feet of storage. Plus, it features a "Frunk" (Front Trunk) for groceries or charging cables, adding to its practicality for family road trips.
The Tank Turn (spinning the vehicle 360 degrees in place) was a viral feature showcased in early prototypes. However, Rivian officially cancelled the feature for production vehicles.
The company cited reasons including potential damage to trails (it tears up the ground significantly) and the difficulty of ensuring safety in real-world conditions. Rivian chose to prioritize "Tread Lightly" principles over the party trick.
Rivian vehicles are designed for extreme adventure. Both the R1T and R1S can wade through water as deep as 43.1 inches (over 3.5 feet).
This is deeper than many modified Jeeps. The vehicle has a dedicated "Deep Sand and Water" drive mode that optimizes the throttle and traction control for these conditions. Since there is no air intake for an engine, the risk of hydrolocking is eliminated.
The Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) is a proprietary network of DC fast chargers built by Rivian, specifically located near outdoor destinations (National Parks, trailheads) and along major interstates.
These chargers are designed to be trailer-friendly (pull-through spots) and offer high-speed charging exclusively for Rivian owners (though they are opening up to other EVs over time), ensuring you can get deep into nature and back.
The Rivian R2 is the brand's upcoming, smaller, and more affordable SUV platform. It is designed to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y.
While the R1 series starts at a luxury price point (roughly $70k+), the R2 is targeted to start around $45,000. It retains the rugged "boxy" aesthetic and adventure focus of the R1S but in a more compact, mass-market friendly package.