Rivian has launched its refreshed 2027 R1S and R1T lineup, headlined by a long-requested seating change that gives the full-size electric SUV a six-seat configuration for the first time and a streamlined trim structure that mirrors the R2.
Captain’s chairs and a new interior option
Rivian introduced the 2027 R1 updates on August 13, 2026, describing the refresh as shaped directly by feedback from people who drive R1 every day.
The headline change is for the R1S SUV: second-row captain’s chairs, which the automaker calls the single most-requested feature since the R1S launched. The new six-seat configuration is built around a center pass-through, so anyone can slide into the third row without adjusting the second-row seats, or disturbing car seats installed in them.
On Performance and Quad trims, the chairs start at $1,500 with the Black Mountain Signature interior; two other interiors, Ocean Coast Signature and Slate Sky Signature, are only available with the captain’s chairs selected, at $4,000 and $4,500 respectively. On the Premium trim, the captain’s chairs require the Sound + Vision package, so the option runs $4,000 with the Black Mountain interior and $6,000 with Ocean Coast.
Each captain’s chair gets an individual armrest that stows flush into the seat and a push-to-release cup holder that folds down from the inside edge.
Trim rename aligns R1 with R2
Rivian is transitioning the R1 lineup from motor-count naming, Dual, Tri and Quad, to three curated trim tiers: Premium, Performance and the halo Quad, shifting the buyer’s question from “how many motors?” to “how does this vehicle fit my life?”, a practical reframe that also brings the R1 lineup in line with the simpler structure already used on the R2.
Rivian is updating both the R1S and the R1T for 2027, more closely aligning them with the new R2 electric SUV. Key changes include a new no-cost exterior color, Esker Silver, replacing LA Silver, and trim levels rebranded to Premium, Performance and Quad, mirroring the R2 lineup.
The base dual-motor models are now called Premium, the tri-motor models become the Performance trim, while Quad keeps its name. The Premium tier pairs dual-motor all-wheel drive with 533 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque for a 0, 60 time of 4.5 seconds. An optional Power Upgrade increases output to 665 horsepower and 829 lb-ft of torque, lowering the 0, 60 time to 3.4 seconds.
Other changes include a new 20-inch Adventure All-Season wheel and tire as standard equipment on the R1T Premium, and Esker Silver joining the R1 palette.
Pricing and market position
The R1S starts at $83,990 and the R1T at $79,990. The R2 starts at $57,990. Ordering opened alongside the announcement, with deliveries beginning at the same time.
With the trim rebrand and new captain’s chairs, Rivian is showing it has not pushed its original product to the wayside. Revenue in Q2 2026 rose 27.2 percent year on year, though US unit sales through the first half of 2026 remained 7.2 percent below the same period in 2025.
With the Rivian R2 electric SUV slowly trickling out deliveries this summer, the original Rivians have been updated for the next model year. The R2 has become the brand’s volume focus, but the R1 lineup retains its role as the flagship for buyers who want maximum capability and space.
What comes next for the R1 platform
The 2027 R1 refresh lands as Rivian works to keep both ends of its lineup competitive. The compact EV segment below the R2’s price point is increasingly crowded, and the updated R1S must justify its premium over larger, more expensive rivals.
Rivian has said the R2 platform represents a major advance in engineering efficiency and cost improvement, and the company is using the momentum of that new platform to reinvigorate the original trucks and SUVs that established the brand.
Buyers considering the new captain’s chair configuration can configure their vehicle now through Rivian’s official announcement page, with deliveries of 2027 R1S and R1T models already underway.
