Rivian R1S parked, editorial photograph
⚡ EV gear, tested & compared

Everything EV

Honest buyer's guides & how-tos for electric vehicle owners

Rivian R1S Owner's Guide

Accessories, owner reviews and fit — everything for your Rivian R1S, in one place.

The R1S is Rivian's three-row adventure SUV — a cavernous dual-layer frunk, underfloor storage, a huge fixed glass roof, height-adjustable air suspension with genuine off-road ability, in-cabin power, and Camp Mode. Unlike the R1T truck, the R1S has no gear tunnel, but between the frunk, the underfloor bin, and a big rear cargo hold there's a lot of surface to protect — and R1S owners tend to spend to keep an expensive, well-used SUV clean. Here's the gear that matters, each with a full buyer's guide, plus the model-specific pieces worth buying by name.

Accessories that matter for the Rivian R1S

Model-specific gear worth buying

Team 1EV Precision-Fit Floor & Cargo Mats (R1S)

CNC-cut carpet/rubber mats laser-fit to the R1S, covering all three rows and the cargo floor.

Check price on Amazon

BestEvMod Frunk Mat, Upper + Lower (R1S)

Two-piece TPE liner for the R1S's dual-layer front trunk, with raised lips and a drain hole so you can hose it out.

Check price on Amazon

All-Weather Rear Cargo Liner (R1S)

Waterproof liner with high walls for the big rear cargo hold — recovery gear, coolers, and wet dogs.

Check price on Amazon

R1S Glass-Roof Sunshade

Clip-in shade that blocks the bulk of solar heat through the panoramic roof; stows small when not in use.

Check price on Amazon

What owners actually say

Our editorial summary of what real Rivian R1S owners report — sentiment as of July 2026.

The R1S is a paradox owners describe honestly: near-bottom reliability rankings alongside near-top owner satisfaction. Adventure buyers tend to love it and keep it; others tire of chasing issues. Go in knowing it's still maturing.

Owners consistently praise

  • Cabin and comfort — a well-designed interior, supportive seats, flexible storage, and a commanding view out.
  • Drives big-but-sporty — thrilling acceleration and composed handling for a large SUV, with real off-road capability.
  • Adventure-ready — ground clearance, torque and drive modes make it a favorite for camping and dirt roads, backed by fast OTA updates and mobile-ranger service.

Common gripes

  • Reliability spread — body hardware (doors, seals, windows), electronics (frozen screens, camera glitches, proximity-lock quirks), suspension (half-shafts, dampers), water leaks and wind noise all show up.
  • 12V issues — a recurring problem that can leave an R1S with a full main pack stranded in the driveway or at a trailhead.
  • Software and service — failed updates that disable displays or HVAC, and occasional slow or canceled service tickets.
Reliability & recalls (the facts): Several 2025 recalls, most fixed over the air: a Hands-Free Highway Assist software fault (~24,214 R1S/R1T), cold-weather headlight low-beam failure (~17,260 units), a High-Voltage Distribution Box grounding issue that could cause loss of drive power, a front turn-signal fault, and a service-related toe-link reassembly. Consumer Reports scores the 2024 R1S around 62/100, and Rivian ranks near the bottom for brand reliability but near the top for owner satisfaction.

Bottom line: Adventure owners tend to love it despite the flaws — treat it as a capable work-in-progress, and target a well-sorted, fully-updated example with all recalls completed.

How we built this: an original summary of public owner discussion (Reddit, owner forums, and the consumer-review sections of Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book) plus factual recall and reliability data from NHTSA and Consumer Reports. We don't quote or republish anyone's reviews — we summarize the recurring themes in our own words. Sentiment reflects July 2026 and can shift as models age and updates roll out.

R1S fit notes

No gear tunnel — but huge storage. The gear tunnel is unique to the R1T truck; the R1S instead gives you a big dual-layer frunk, an underfloor bin, and a large rear cargo area, all worth lining. Charging: the R1S uses CCS natively; Rivian's NACS adapter opens Tesla Superchargers, and at home its large battery rewards a fast 48A Level 2 charger. In-cabin power and Camp Mode make it a basecamp on wheels. Off-road airdown: a portable compressor to re-inflate tires is a first buy. The large fixed glass roof heats the cabin — a sunshade is genuinely worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does the R1S have a gear tunnel like the R1T?
A: No — the gear tunnel is exclusive to the R1T truck. The R1S makes up for it with a large dual-layer frunk, an underfloor storage bin, and a big rear cargo area.

Q: Can the R1S charge at Tesla Superchargers?
A: Yes, with Rivian's NACS adapter (the R1S's native port is CCS). At home, go with a fast 48A Level 2 charger to keep up with the big battery.

Q: What's the best first upgrade?
A: All-weather floor mats plus an upper/lower frunk liner and a rear cargo liner — the R1S's whole appeal is getting dirty, so protect the surfaces first.

Q: Is a glass-roof sunshade worth it?
A: Yes — the R1S's large fixed glass roof heats the cabin noticeably, and a clip-in shade cuts heat and AC drain on hot days.

Specs current as of July 2026