By: Krish Persaud
Photos By : Josh Coish
April 4, 2026
Electric SUVs tend to follow a predictable formula. Quiet, efficient, packed with screens, and designed mainly to make family life easier rather than more exciting. The 2026 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor looks like it belongs in that category at first glance. It is a three-row SUV with plenty of space, a large battery underneath, and enough practicality for road trips, hockey bags, or weekends at the cottage.
Then you remember something important. This SUV can sprint to 100 km/h in roughly three seconds.
That realization alone tells you the R1S is playing a very different game.
Finished in Storm Blue, the Rivian has a presence that feels understated but expensive. In darker lighting the colour reads almost slate grey, though in sunlight the blue tone becomes far more noticeable. This example rides on Rivian’s 20 inch All-Terrain Dark wheels, which give the SUV a slightly tougher stance compared to the larger road-focused options. Bright yellow brake calipers peek through the spokes as a quiet hint that there is serious performance hiding underneath.
Rivian’s design language is refreshingly simple. The tall oval headlights and horizontal light bar have already become the brand’s signature look. At night the rear light bar stretches across the tailgate like a glowing horizon line, making the R1S instantly recognizable from a distance.
Underneath that clean design sits Rivian’s Tri-Motor powertrain. One electric motor drives the front axle while two motors power the rear, delivering a combined 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft. of torque. For a three-row SUV, those numbers still feel slightly ridiculous.
Press the accelerator and the R1S backs it up immediately. There is no build-up, no hesitation, just a clean, uninterrupted surge that pins you into the seat. It does not feel dramatic in the traditional sense, there is no noise, no gear changes, no sense of strain. Instead, it feels like the entire SUV simply compresses the distance in front of it. You glance down and realize you are already well past highway speed.
Despite weighing well over 3,000 kilograms, the R1S never feels intimidating behind the wheel. The steering is light at low speeds and weights up naturally as you pick up pace, but more importantly it is predictable. You always know what the front end is doing, even if it is not feeding back much texture through the wheel. It does not try to pretend it is a sports SUV, but it does a convincing job of shrinking around you in tight spaces.
Rivian’s camera system plays a big role here as well. The resolution is sharp, the angles are useful, and it removes a lot of the guesswork when maneuvering something this large through narrow streets or crowded parking lots.
Ride quality leans slightly toward the firm side, particularly over rough pavement. Rivian’s adaptive air suspension does a good job managing it, and the difference between drive modes is noticeable. In its softer settings the R1S settles down enough for daily driving, while the firmer modes tighten things up without becoming harsh.
The suspension also allows the R1S to dramatically adjust its ride height. Off-road modes lift the SUV high enough for trails or deep snow, while kneel mode lowers the vehicle when parked to make entry easier. Watching it drop down into kneel mode almost makes it look like a lowered SUV, which is slightly funny considering it can climb over obstacles minutes later.
Range proved strong during our time with the vehicle. A full charge showed an estimated 545 kilometres of driving range. Temperatures hovered around minus four degrees Celsius during testing, which makes that number feel realistic for late winter conditions rather than an optimistic estimate.
Charging performance was equally reassuring. At home the R1S was connected to a Level 2 charger running at 40 amps, delivering roughly 9.7 kW. Plug it in overnight and it easily keeps up with daily driving needs.
Out on the road, the Rivian handled DC fast charging well. We saw charging speeds peak around 144 kW, with the battery climbing from roughly 30 percent to full in just under 50 minutes. For something this large and this heavy, that level of consistency matters.
Driving the R1S also means adapting to one-pedal driving. Lift off the accelerator and the SUV slows itself down through regenerative braking. It becomes second nature after a short adjustment period, though it is worth noting that the system cannot be fully disabled.
Step inside and the Rivian starts to justify its price. This example features the Slate Sky interior paired with Walnut wood trim, and the combination feels thoughtfully put together rather than overdesigned. The leather has a thickness to it that feels durable, not just soft, and the wood adds warmth to what could have otherwise been a very tech-heavy cabin.
Build quality throughout feels solid. Doors close with weight, panels feel properly fitted, and nothing comes across as experimental or unfinished. Small touches like the Rivian badge integrated into the headrests give the cabin a bit of personality without trying too hard.
The dashboard follows Rivian’s minimalist philosophy. A large central touchscreen handles most vehicle functions including drive modes, navigation, and climate settings. Steering wheel and mirror adjustments are controlled through the screen first, then fine-tuned using the steering wheel controls, which takes a minute to understand but becomes straightforward after.
Driver assistance systems are present and work well, though Rivian stops short of suggesting full autonomy. Lane keeping is effective on the highway, but lane changes still require driver input. The driver monitoring system can be slightly sensitive depending on your seating position, occasionally asking for attention even when your eyes are forward.
One of the more interesting features is Rivian’s Gear Guard system. When the R1S is parked and locked, the cameras stay active. Walk up to the vehicle and the screen wakes up with a small animated character acknowledging your presence. It is a simple idea, but it adds a layer of personality to the vehicle that most EVs completely lack.
For an SUV riding on large all-terrain tires, cabin quietness is impressive. There is some wind noise at highway speeds, but it stays in the background and never becomes intrusive. Considering the tire setup, the level of refinement here stands out.
Pricing reflects the Rivian’s premium positioning. In Canada, the Tri-Motor configuration starts around $194,690 CAD, with standard fees bringing the subtotal to roughly $197,807 before taxes.
Spend a few days with the R1S and something interesting happens. The performance stops feeling outrageous. The technology fades into the background. You stop thinking about the numbers entirely.
What stands out instead is how naturally it fits into everything you ask of it.
It can be a quiet daily commuter during the week, a long-distance road trip vehicle on the weekend, and something that still feels genuinely quick every time you find an open stretch of road. Few SUVs manage to blend those roles without compromise.
Park it, walk away, and the Storm Blue paint catches the light just enough to make you turn back for one more look.
That feeling alone says a lot.
