Here’s a detailed look at how Rivian’s brand-new Quad-Motor R1T and R1S set a new benchmark for performance, versatility, and confidence—on-road, off-road, and in all weather conditions—outpacing the competition in virtually every scenario.
⚡ Unmatched Performance: Supercar Acceleration, Every Day Utility
At the heart of Rivian’s latest Gen 2 Quad-Motor R1T (truck) and R1S (SUV) lies a staggering 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb‑ft of torque—a dramatic increase over the previous generation and even most hypercars. Car and Driver, Jalopnik, and DuPont Registry all concur: these electric beasts sprint to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds for the R1T, and 2.6 seconds for the R1S. These are not just numbers—they signal mainstream hypercar-level acceleration packed in four-door, adventure-ready bodies.
Rivian’s engineers have swapped out outsourced motors for fully in-house designed units, installed a new front inverter, and slashed excess ECUs, all contributing to lightning-fast power delivery. The transition from 835 hp to over one thousand horsepower doesn’t come at the cost of control—the software systems, torque vectoring, and chassis tuning work together seamlessly to balance hypercar acceleration with SUV dynamics.
🧗 Off-Road Intelligence: Conquering Any Terrain
More power means more capability, but what drives these vehicles past their rivals is true off-road mastery. The quad-motor system places one motor at each wheel, allowing independent torque control in real time.
This translates to unparalleled grip, control, and adaptability when navigating loose gravel, mud, sand, or rocky trails. Car and Driver praises the ability to handle rock crawling, and the new Kick Turn lets drivers pivot almost in place up to about 15 mph—a feature Car and Driver calls “useful and less of a party trick.”
Rivian took their off-road suite further with the RAD Tuner, unlocking granular adjustments to torque split, regen strength, suspension damping, and slip thresholds. Whether carving through dunes or fine-tuning launch response, drivers get a near-personalized off-road setup at their fingertips.
🛣️ All-Weather Confidence: Gravel, Asphalt & Beyond
- Reviewers like Ars Technica highlighted the trade-offs—road noise and stiff ride over harsh asphalt—but firm handling remains intact even under stress.
- Owner reviews of prior tri-motor variants already praise how “aggressive all-terrain tires” ride quietly and confidently in snow, sand, and forest trails-quad-motor only enhances that.
These vehicles don’t just survive tricky road conditions—they thrive. Whether navigating ice, puddles, steep grades, or subzero temps, the independent wheel control and robust chassis setup consistently deliver.
🚀 On-Road Dynamics: Sports-Car Comfort In A 7-Seater
Despite its brute force and lofty off-road ambitions, the Quad-R1 preserves civility and composure behind the wheel. Compared to rivals like the Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Sierra EV, and even Tesla Cybertruck, it remains far more dynamic on twisty tarmac, with responsive steering and nearly neutral handling.
Edmunds and MotorTrend highlight that Rivian balanced its massive performance with refined ride quality: quad-motor torque is applied without unsettling the chassis, while launch control sessions are easily manageable on a 130‑mph track. Owners also appreciate the on-road comfort: smooth acceleration, refined gearing, and a cabin that’s quiet enough for conversation, even with off-road tires.
⛽ Range & Charging: Trail-Ready Endurance
Quad-Motor models come with Rivian’s Max battery pack (~140 kWh), enabling EPA-estimated range figures up to 374 miles, depending on wheel choice.
And to support all that exploration, Rivian’s Adventure Network chargers boast >99% uptime, and vehicles now include the industry-standard NACS port—unlocking Tesla’s Supercharger access alongside Rivian’s fast chargers.
💰 Price & Position: A Halo of Innovation
As Rivian’s “halo” offering in the R1 lineup, Quads sit at the top. Pricing ranges:
- R1T Quad: Starting at ~$117,885; Launch Edition around $121,885.
- R1S Quad: Starting at ~$123,885; Launch Edition at ~$127,885.
Yes, more affordable dual- and tri-motor versions exist (the upcoming R2 targets $45k), but Rivian purposely built the Quad to be aspirational. It’s proof that Rivian can outdo luxury SUVs, off-road trucks, and even performance cars—all in one package.
🔄 Versus The Competition: Simply Outclassing
Tesla Cybertruck
- Launches harder off the line—fine. But lacks refined handling, off-road articulation, and an established support network to match the Rivian Quad’s breadth.
Ford F‑150 Lightning, GMC Sierra EV
- Practical and capable in their own right, but none match quad-motor agility, sub‑3-second sprints, or advanced off-road systems.
Luxury Off‑Road SUVs (Range Rover, Mercedes G-Class, BMW iX)
- These excel in on-road refinement or sheer luxury, but Rivian threads the needle better, delivering both savage 0‑60 times and class-leading terrain adaptability. Compare Dual‑Motor R1S to BMW iX? Quad blows it out of the park in traction, terrain, and pure thrill.
🎯 Final Verdict
Rivian’s Quad-Motor R1T and R1S aren’t just incremental upgrades—they represent a paradigm shift in what an SUV or truck can be:
| Attribute | Quad-R1T/R1S | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration | 1,025 hp, 0–60 mph in 2.5 s | 3–4 s for EV peers |
| Torque | 1,198 lb‑ft | Usually ~600–800 lb‑ft |
| Off-Road Tech | Kick Turn, RAD Tuner, torque vectoring | Limited/differential-based |
| Range | Up to ~~374 miles EPA (~300+ realistic) | ~200–300 mi typical |
| Terrain Ability | Rock crawling, sand, and snow mastery | Competitive but less refined |
| Driving Comfort | Sports‑car dynamics in a 7‑seat body | Rugged, but heavier |
| Charging Access | Rivian + Tesla NACS, >99 % uptime | Varies by network |
- Urban to extreme terrain: Seamlessly blends.
- Overlanding to highway hunting: Allows both with ease.
- First-to-market EV supertruck: Rivian stretches the EV envelope and reshapes expectations.
💡 For Whom and When?
Choose the Quad-R1:
- Power seekers who crave sub-3‑second acceleration, but practicality matters too.
- Adventure travelers who go deeper off-road and need fine control and confidence.
- Tech enthusiasts who love tuning performance and exploiting feature-rich driving modes.
- Status-conscious buyers who want a statement: a vehicle that outclasses supercars, Sierras, and Range Rovers.
In Summary, Rivian’s Quad-Motor R1T and R1S rewrite the playbook for electric trucks and SUVs. They outperform rivals in any condition—on the strip, in the dunes, behind the wheel, and at the charger—while keeping a refined, usable package. They prove that Rivian doesn’t just build capable EVs—they build legends.