Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Rivian R1S Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Rivian R1S Model Years (Ranked)
The Rivian R1S is a three-row electric SUV built on the same skateboard platform as the R1T pickup, and it arrived as one of the first credible American EV alternatives to the gas-powered luxury family hauler. Since deliveries began in late 2022, Rivian has rapidly iterated: the original quad-motor launch trucks, a broader dual-motor rollout, the cost-cutting Standard pack, and a sweeping Gen 2 redesign for 2025 that rewired the entire vehicle and added tri-motor and quad-motor performance variants.
Because each model year brought meaningful hardware and software changes, picking the right one matters. This ranking covers the best Rivian R1S model years, their motor and battery configurations, the early software and service bugs to verify, and where the smart value sits on the used market.
Direct Answer
The best overall Rivian R1S is the 2025 Gen 2 Dual-Motor (Large pack), which keeps the spacious cabin and excellent off-road hardware while consolidating to Rivian's in-house motors and a simplified, faster electrical architecture that fixed many first-generation software gremlins.
For shoppers chasing value, the best value is the 2023 Dual-Motor Large pack, an early-production R1S that now sells for far less than its original sticker while still delivering roughly 260-plus miles of range, three rows, and the core R1S experience. Be cautious with the very earliest 2022 quad-motor launch builds, which carried the most software bugs and the most service-center growing pains, and always confirm outstanding recalls and over-the-air updates are complete before buying.
1. 2025 Gen 2 Dual-Motor (Large Pack) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The second-generation R1S is the high point of the lineup. Rivian re-engineered the vehicle from the ground up, cutting wiring harness length dramatically, moving to zonal electronics, and switching to its own Enduro drive units. The Dual-Motor with the Large pack is the sweet spot, offering around 330 miles of range, strong acceleration, and the full Driver+ assistance hardware suite.
Gen 2 also addressed the biggest first-generation complaint: software stability and build consistency. Phantom drain, glitchy screens, and inconsistent panel gaps were materially improved. The cabin remains one of the most usable three-row EV interiors, and the off-road hardware, including air suspension and configurable drive modes, carries over.
This is the R1S to buy if your budget reaches a recent example.
2. 2023 Dual-Motor (Large Pack) 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2023 Dual-Motor Large pack is the value champion. By 2023 Rivian had widened production beyond the launch quad-motor trucks, and the dual-motor setup delivers roughly 260-plus miles of range with plenty of power for a family SUV. Many early software bugs were progressively fixed through over-the-air updates, so a well-updated 2023 drives far better than its launch reputation suggests.
The best value is a 2023 Dual-Motor Adventure trim, which now trades well below its original price thanks to steep first-generation EV depreciation. You get the spacious three-row cabin, air suspension, and genuine off-road capability for a fraction of the original cost. Confirm the latest software build and any recall work before purchase.
3. 2025 Gen 2 Tri-Motor
The Gen 2 Tri-Motor slots in as a performance bridge between the dual-motor and the range-topping quad. It uses three of Rivian's in-house motors for roughly 850 horsepower, delivering sub-three-second acceleration while keeping respectable range near 380 miles on the Max pack.
It is genuinely quick yet still a usable family vehicle.
The tri-motor benefits from all the Gen 2 architecture improvements: cleaner software, faster boot times, and better build quality than first-generation trucks. Torque vectoring across the three motors sharpens both on-road handling and off-road control. It costs more than the dual-motor, so buy it only if you want the extra performance and range headroom.
For most buyers the dual-motor is the smarter spend.
4. 2024 Dual-Motor (Large/Max Pack)
The 2024 model year is the most mature version of the first-generation R1S. By this point Rivian had introduced its in-house dual-motor Enduro units on many builds, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on the supplier-sourced Bosch motors used at launch. Software had also matured through dozens of OTA updates.
A 2024 Dual-Motor with the Max pack offers up to roughly 400 miles of range, the longest of the first generation, making it an excellent long-distance family EV. Build quality and reliability are noticeably better than the 2022 launch trucks. It sits just below the Gen 2 cars on this list because the newer platform is more refined, but a clean, fully-updated 2024 is a strong, lower-risk first-generation buy.
5. 2025 Gen 2 Quad-Motor
The Gen 2 Quad-Motor is the range-topping performance flagship, using four in-house motors for roughly 1,000 horsepower and a claimed 0-60 in around 2.5 seconds. It pairs supercar acceleration with full three-row practicality and serious off-road hardware, an unusual combination in any vehicle.
Because it carries all the second-generation architecture upgrades, it is more refined and reliable than the original 2022 quad-motor launch trucks. Independent quad-motor control enables features like tank turns and precise off-road traction management. The downside is price: this is the most expensive R1S, and the extreme power is overkill for typical family duty.
Buy it for the capability and acceleration, not as a value play.
6. 2024 Standard / Standard+ Pack
For 2024 Rivian introduced the more affordable Standard and Standard+ packs, using a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) or smaller battery chemistry to lower the entry price. These trims offer reduced range, roughly 240 to 270 miles, but make the R1S accessible to more buyers and tolerate frequent 100% charging better thanks to LFP chemistry.
The Standard pack keeps the same spacious three-row cabin and off-road hardware, just with less battery and slightly slower charging. The value here is the lower acquisition cost, both new and used. If your driving is mostly local and you rarely road-trip, the Standard pack is a sensible, cheaper way into the R1S.
Long-distance drivers should step up to the Large or Max pack instead.
7. 2023 Quad-Motor (Large Pack)
The 2023 Quad-Motor carried over the launch performance configuration with four motors and roughly 835 horsepower, delivering quick acceleration and the most off-road capability of the first generation. By 2023, production was more consistent than the very first 2022 trucks, and many software issues had been addressed through updates.
The quad-motor's appeal is capability and acceleration, but it uses more energy and the supplier-sourced motors are less efficient than Rivian's later in-house units. Range lands around 320 miles on the Large pack. It is a compelling used buy if you want maximum capability and find one with a clean update and service history.
Verify recall completion, as early quad-motor trucks saw several campaigns.
8. 2024 Quad-Motor (Large/Max Pack)
The 2024 Quad-Motor is the most refined first-generation quad, benefiting from a full year of additional software maturity and production improvements. With roughly 835 horsepower and available Max pack range near 380 miles, it blends strong performance with usable long-distance ability.
This version sidesteps many of the earliest launch-truck quality issues while keeping the four-motor capability enthusiasts want. Build consistency and panel fit are better than 2022-2023 cars. It ranks below the dual-motor 2024 here mainly on value and efficiency grounds, since the quad uses more energy and costs more.
For a buyer set on a first-generation quad-motor R1S, a clean, fully-updated 2024 is the version to target.
9. 2023 Dual-Motor (Standard / Performance)
Through 2023 Rivian expanded its dual-motor offerings, including a Performance dual-motor tune that boosted output meaningfully over the base dual setup. These trucks brought the R1S price closer to the mainstream while keeping the three-row layout and off-road hardware intact.
Range varies by pack, generally landing in the 240 to 320 mile band depending on configuration. As early-production dual-motors, they benefited from ongoing OTA fixes but can still show the first-generation quirks: occasional screen lag, accessory glitches, and phantom drain if software is out of date.
The appeal is affordability with solid everyday usability. Buy one with the latest software, documented service, and confirmed recall completion for the best ownership experience.
10. 2022 Quad-Motor Launch Edition (Caution)
The 2022 Quad-Motor Launch Edition is where it all started, and it holds historical significance as the first R1S delivered to customers. It used four supplier-sourced Bosch motors for about 835 horsepower and a Large pack good for roughly 316 miles. As a collector-interesting first-year build, it has appeal for early adopters.
However, the 2022 trucks carried the most software bugs, the most service-center delays, and the least consistent build quality of any R1S. Several recalls affected early units, including airbag and seatbelt-sensor campaigns. Buy one only with full documentation that all recalls, OTA updates, and any hardware fixes were completed.
For most buyers, a later dual-motor or Gen 2 car is the smarter, lower-risk choice.
What to Watch For When Buying
- Confirm software is fully updated. First-generation R1S quality depends heavily on over-the-air updates; an outdated truck can show screen lag, accessory glitches, and phantom battery drain that updates have since fixed.
- Check recall completion via the VIN. Early R1S units saw several campaigns, including airbag and seatbelt-sensor recalls. Run the VIN through Rivian and the NHTSA database.
- Verify the motor configuration. Launch trucks used supplier-sourced Bosch motors; later builds use Rivian's more efficient in-house Enduro units. Confirm whether you are buying first-gen or Gen 2 hardware.
- Inspect the air suspension and battery health. Confirm the air suspension raises and lowers correctly and review charging behavior and any battery diagnostics.
- Match the pack to your driving. Standard/LFP packs suit local driving; Large and Max packs suit road-trippers. Range claims vary widely by pack and motor count.
- Prefer documented service history, especially given Rivian's evolving service network in early years.
How to Choose
Match the R1S to your priorities. For the best blend of refinement, range, and reliability, the 2025 Gen 2 Dual-Motor (Large pack) is the answer, with cleaner software and Rivian's in-house motors. For the best value, a 2023 Dual-Motor Large pack delivers the core R1S experience at a steep discount thanks to first-generation depreciation.
Long-distance drivers should target a 2024 Max pack for maximum range, while performance seekers can step up to the Gen 2 Tri-Motor or Quad-Motor. Budget-focused local drivers can consider the Standard/LFP pack. In every case, confirm software is current, recalls are closed, and service history is clean.
FAQ
Which Rivian R1S years should I avoid? Be cautious with the very first 2022 quad-motor launch builds, which had the most software bugs, the least consistent build quality, and several early recalls. They are fine if fully updated and recall-complete, but a later dual-motor or Gen 2 car is generally the lower-risk choice.
What changed with the 2025 Gen 2 R1S? Rivian re-engineered the vehicle with a zonal electrical architecture, far less wiring, and its own in-house motors. The result is faster, more stable software, better build consistency, and new tri-motor and quad-motor performance variants alongside the dual-motor.
How much range does the Rivian R1S have? It depends on pack and motors. Standard/LFP packs land around 240-270 miles, the Large pack roughly 260-330 miles, and the Max pack up to about 400 miles on efficient dual-motor first-generation trucks. Performance multi-motor variants trade some range for power.
Is the Rivian R1S reliable? Early first-generation trucks had software and service growing pains, most of which were addressed through over-the-air updates. The 2024 and Gen 2 2025 models are noticeably more refined and consistent. Buying a fully-updated, recall-complete example is the key to a good ownership experience.
Bottom Line
The Rivian R1S is a capable, spacious electric three-row SUV, but model year and configuration choice are critical given how fast Rivian iterated. The 2025 Gen 2 Dual-Motor (Large pack) is the best overall pick, with cleaner software and in-house motors, while the 2023 Dual-Motor Large pack offers the best value thanks to steep first-generation depreciation.
Whatever year you choose, confirm the software is current, all recalls are closed via the VIN, and the service history is documented. Buy carefully and the R1S delivers genuine off-road ability, strong range, and family practicality.
Sources
- Rivian official R1S model history, specifications, and configurator, rivian.com
- NHTSA recall database including Rivian R1S airbag and seatbelt-sensor campaigns, nhtsa.gov
- EPA Fuel Economy electric range ratings for Rivian R1S by model year, fueleconomy.gov
- Edmunds Rivian R1S generation reviews and used-car appraisals, edmunds.com
- Kelley Blue Book Rivian R1S used values by model year, kbb.com
- Car and Driver Rivian R1S testing and Gen 2 coverage, caranddriver.com
- Wikipedia Rivian R1S generations and technical specifications, en.wikipedia.org