2026 Rivian R1S

If you want an electric vehicle that's legitimately capable off-road and has a traditional SUV design without any military cosplay, meet your new ride: the 2026 Rivian R1S. This midsize sport-utility vehicle offers three-row seating for seven people, more cargo space than is typical for the class, and nearly as much towing capacity as a full-size SUV. Generous ground clearance, quick acceleration, and long-distance driving range ensure the R1S impresses on and off the road.

The most off-road-capable alternative to the Rivian R1S is the GMC Hummer EV SUV. However, since the R1S is just as likely to prowl city streets and suburban boulevards as it is parts unknown, it counts other three-row electric SUVs like the Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity and Volvo EX90 as its rivals. However, those and others like them aren't nearly as capable as the Rivian when the pavement ends.

Rivian has made several changes to the 2026 R1S, not the least of which is a switch to a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. That makes the SUV compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network, which makes long-distance driving easier because of the sheer number of stations available for fast charging. The biggest news is the return of the quad-motor drivetrain, featuring an electric motor at each wheel. With 1,025 horsepower and nearly 1,200 lb-ft of torque, it's no surprise the R1S Quad will sprint to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds.