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Rivian had an amazing year thus far, and things are only looking up for the American electric vehicle company going into the new year. The arrival of the R1T as the first mass-produced electric full-size pickup truck available to American consumers was historic. Now, Rivian R1S electric SUVs are being delivered.

The 2022 Rivian R1S is here to shake up the electric SUV scene

With the release of the exciting R1T electric truck model, it’s easy to forget about the R1S electric SUV. The R1T was in the spotlight because of its unique capabilities. It was a huge part of the American automaker’s historic valuation after its initial public offering.

The R1T may have stolen the show over the last few months, but the Rivian electric SUV is equally impressive. Like the R1T, it is also an electric adventure vehicle. Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe claims that the R1S was “designed to take families, friends, dogs and all your gear on road trips to the places you love.” This claim hints at the electric SUV’s impressive range estimates.

R1S Launch Edition models will achieve about 300 miles of range. Today, EVs with range above 250 miles are considered as impressive. According to MotorTrend, the R1S is capable of going from 0-60 miles per hour in just 3.0 seconds.

Rivian R1S models are already being delivered to consumers, so reviews and critiques should be out in the next few weeks. One thing is clear: Rivian is wasting no time introducing EVs to the market compared to other automakers. It has already shocked the industry with the R1T, and now the R1S has arrived.

The 2022 Rivian R1S is trail-ready

A green Rivian R1S electric SUV is on display.
A green Rivian R1S electric SUV is on display | Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Another quality that the Rivian R1S shares with its pickup truck sibling is off-roading ability. The electric SUV has a max ground clearance of a whopping 14.5 inches. Any vehicle with ground clearance above about 8.5 inches is considered to be capable of off-roading. The R1S also has a wading depth of over three feet in the event that the EV has to cross through a very shallow body of water.

The Rivian R1S is capable of much more than the average electric SUV. As expressed in RJ Scaringe’s claim, this SUV will get you where you want to go, no matter what it’s up against.

Should you buy a Rivian R1S?

A blue 2022 Rivian R1S electric SUV is parked in a driveway.
A blue 2022 Rivian R1S electric SUV is parked in a driveway | Rivian

The 2022 Rivian R1S comes in a Launch Edition, Adventure Package, and Explore Package. The Launch Edition, the current model, being delivered, starts at $75,500. The Explore Package model also starts at $75,500. The Explore Package is the most affordable model, it starts at $70,000.

The Rivian R1S boasts amazing range, power, and off-roading ability. It is an incredible electric SUV model. Sadly, the average consumer isn’t willing or able to cough up $70,000 on an SUV model. The R1S is unattainable for the majority of Americans, and that could work against Rivian in the long run as cheaper alternatives are released.

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