It’s time for Rivian’s changeover from model year 2026 to 2027, and the electric vehicle startup has decided to take a page from its recently released R2 SUV and apply it to the company’s larger, more expensive R1 line. The changes aren’t massive—the R1 got a refresh back in 2024 that saw the R1S SUV and R1T pickup each get some comprehensive re-engineering with new powertrain options, a new electronic architecture, and new batteries.
But among them is the No. 1 most-requested feature by Rivian R1S customers, the automaker told Ars: captain’s chairs for the second row. The six-seat interior is an alternative to a middle bench, and the Rivian captain’s chair looks thoughtfully designed, with a hidden cupholder that I’m not sure I’ve seen on any other SUV before. The chairs are also spaced so it’s easy to get to the third row, or use that volume between them for skis or snowboards or surfboards.
Rivian has also changed the trims, bringing them into line with the offer structure on the recently released R2. Instead of choosing from Dual, Tri, or R1s, Rivian is now calling them Premium and Performance; Quad stays Quad. But the base price for each stays the same: The R1T still starts at $79,990 and the R1S at $83,990.
But the technical specs haven’t changed. Premium R1s still have the same 329 mile (530 km) range, with a larger battery as an option that increases range to 410 miles (660 km) for the R1S and 420 miles (675 miles) for the R1T. Power is still 533 hp (397 kW), upgradable to 655 hp (488 kW). And you still have a choice of the same two interiors (now named Black Mountain and Ocean Coast), although only the black one can be specified with the middle bench seat. Captain’s chairs add $1,500 on top of the required $2,500 Sound+Vision package, or $4,500 if you want the Ocean Coast interior (which also includes the Sound+Vision package).
The Performance R1s feature Rivian’s tri-motor powertrain, still with 850 hp (634 kW) and a range of 371 miles (597 km). And the R1 Quads keep their name together with the same powertrain specs. There are still three interior trim options with the new names: Black Mountain, Ocean Coast, and Slate Sky. Here, the bench seat is only available with the black interior, with black captain’s chairs adding $1,500. The other two interiors are only available in the six-seat configuration; Ocean Coast will cost $4,000, and Sky Slate will cost $4,500.
Additionally, there’s a new Esker silver paint that replaces the old LA Silver Rivian previously offered, and a new 20-inch all-season tire and wheel for the R1T that better balances on- and off-road performance.
