2027 Rivian R1: Captain’s Chairs, Fewer Trims, Less Complexity
Rivian has announced a meaningful refresh for the 2027 R1S and R1T, and the changes go well beyond a spec bump. The company is replacing its motor-count naming system — Dual, Tri, Quad — with three curated trim tiers: Premium, Performance, and Quad. Alongside that structural overhaul, the R1S gains second-row captain’s chairs, the R1T gets a new trail-ready wheel standard, and a new Esker Silver paint joins both models. Configuration is open now, with the R1S starting at $83,990 and the R1T at $79,990.
The trim restructuring is the headline move. Rivian says the goal is to shift 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.
Three Trim Tiers Replace The Old Motor-Count System
Premium sits at the entry point, pairing 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 bumps those figures to 665 hp and 829 lb-ft, cutting 0-60 to 3.4 seconds. Buyers who want range can add the Long Range battery, which Rivian rates at up to 410 miles on the R1S and 420 miles on the R1T.
Performance steps up to three motors producing 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and an EPA-estimated range of 371 miles on both models. At the top, the Quad trim — which keeps its name as the halo of the lineup — delivers 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. On the R1T with Launch Mode active, Rivian says it covers 0-60 in 2.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds. Range on the Quad is rated at up to 374 miles for both variants.
Performance and Quad buyers get three Signature interior options: Slate Sky (grey tones with walnut wood accents), Black Mountain (warm ash wood with an organic feel), and Ocean Coast (sandy and cool tones inspired by northern California beaches). Premium trims offer Black Mountain and Ocean Coast interiors without the Signature designation. The seven-seat bench remains available on R1S Premium and on Black Mountain Signature configurations for Performance and Quad.
Captain’s Chairs Are Finally Coming To The R1S
Rivian describes second-row captain’s chairs as its most-requested interior feature to date, and the 2027 R1S is where they finally land. The new six-seat layout is built around a center pass-through — wide enough for skis, surfboards, and other long gear to slide straight through the cabin while all six passengers stay seated. Crucially, the pass-through also means anyone can reach the third row without adjusting or folding the second-row seats, which matters a lot when car seats are installed.
Each captain’s chair includes an individual armrest that stows flush into the seat when not in use, plus a push-to-release cup holder that folds down from the inside edge. Both seats are heated, fold flat, and retain full car-seat tie-downs — so families don’t lose any practical functionality compared to the bench. Rivian says cargo capacity remains class-leading despite the more open cabin feel.
R1T Gets A New Trail Wheel Standard And A Fresh Color Option
The R1T picks up a new 20-inch Adventure All-Season wheel and Goodyear tire combo as standard equipment on Premium and as a no-cost option on Performance. Rivian says the tire balances off-road traction with low rolling resistance, avoiding the range penalty that typically comes with a more aggressive tread. EPA range estimates with the 20-inch setup are 300 miles on Premium, 380 miles on Premium Long Range, and 348 miles on Performance.
Both models also get Esker Silver, a liquid-metal finish that Rivian first introduced on the R2. The paint features fine metallic flakes meant to give the color depth and movement, and it replaces LA Silver as the included paint option across the R1 lineup. The addition ties the R1 and R2 into a unified color palette — a small but deliberate step toward visual consistency across Rivian’s growing vehicle family.
The 2027 R1S and R1T are available to configure on Rivian’s website today. For buyers who have been waiting on captain’s chairs specifically, the wait is over — and the rest of the lineup changes make the configuration process considerably more straightforward than it used to be.
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments