Rivian Is Finally Warming Up in 2023
Rivian had a rough entrance into the automotive world. That’s partially due to the high prices of its EVs, production hiccups, and stiff competition from rivals. However, recent Rivian sales figures suggest the brand’s vehicles are on the rise. Let’s examine Rivian’s standing in the market, the EVs in its current lineup, and the company’s plans.
Rivian sales keep growing
The company had a slow start in January 2023, selling only 1,382 units. Still, that figure exceeded the EV maker’s total for the first quarter of 2022. Rivian’s 2023 sales trended slightly downward in February, only to bounce back to 1,493 in March.
A huge sales boom happened in April 2022, when the company moved 4,255 vehicles. It maintained the 4,000-plus streak through June, with nearly 13,000 units sold during the second quarter. By the end of last year’s summer season, Rivian had sold only 700 units.
A look at the latest Rivian EVs
Rivian sells only two all-electric models. The R1S three-row SUV with a dual-motor setup produces 533 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. It also has all-wheel drive and drive modes for snow, towing, and uneven terrain.
The Performance upgrade adds Sport mode, 132 more horses, and a torque output of 829 lb-ft. The optional quad-motor configuration harnesses 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque. That setup grants five extra drive modes, including Rock Crawl, Soft Sand, and Drift.
All are designed to increase enjoyment and stability while off-roading. The Rivian R1S also has a maximum ground clearance of 14.9 inches and can traverse more than three feet of water. An adjustable air suspension is standard, and the solitary Adventure trim rides on 21-inch wheels.
The Performance dual-motor powertrain — the most efficient setup — boasts an estimated 340 to 390 miles of range. The base powertrain is rated for 260 miles.
On top of all that utility and efficiency, the R1S has comfortable vegan leather seats with standard heating and ventilation. Cargo capacity maxes out at 104 cubic feet, and seating for seven is generous. A 16-inch infotainment touchscreen is the centerpiece, but smartphone integration is notably absent.
The Driver+ suite includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation aids, various lane safety features, and blind-spot monitors.
That tech and all the R1S’s creature comforts are also standard on the Rivian R1T truck. But the pickup seats only five.
Because it shares a platform with the R1S SUV, the Rivian R1T touts the same off-roading specs and drive modes. However, its dual-motor setup gets slightly better range estimates, between 270 and 400 miles, than the R1S. It also has an impressive maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, whereas the R1S can pull 7,700.
The automaker is on track for a record-breaking year
Rivian has already surpassed its 2022 sales by a large margin, so the company can consider 2023 a success. Those profit increases will only further aid the development of other models. CarScoops reports the automaker is working on an R2 platform to accommodate a smaller truck and SUV.
They will also be cheaper than their larger siblings but probably won’t get an unveiling until 2026. Until then, we hope to see more R1S and R1T updates and increased production. Rivian doesn’t have it easy as a small start-up, but its EVs hold the potential to be best-sellers.
