2027 Rivian R1 Range Gains Captains Chairs and Simplified Trims
Rivian is adjusting its model year production schedule, pivoting its larger R1 electric vehicle line to adopt configuration strategies and naming conventions from its newer R2 SUV platform. According to details shared with Ars Technica, the 2027 changeover brings the manufacturer’s most requested interior layout to the R1S SUV alongside a streamlined trim hierarchy that mirrors broader corporate architecture updates.
The Tech TL;DR:
- Interior Upgrade: The 2027 Rivian R1S introduces second-row captain’s chairs, creating a six-seat configuration with a center pass-through designed for long cargo storage like skis or surfboards.
- Trim Restructuring: Rivian replaces the previous Dual and Tri trim designations with Premium and Performance, while Quad carries over unchanged.
- Base Pricing Stability: Starting prices remain level at $79,990 for the R1T pickup and $83,990 for the R1S SUV.
Architectural Alignment With the R2 Platform
The transition from model year 2026 to 2027 follows a comprehensive hardware refresh executed in 2024, which re-engineered the R1S SUV and R1T pickup with updated powertrain options, a revised electronic architecture, and new battery packs. Rather than enacting major mechanical overhauls for this iteration, engineering teams focused on feature parity and structural consistency with the newer R2 platform, as reported by Motor1.
The trim structure has been flattened to eliminate motor-count confusion. Customers shopping for a 2027 model now select from three tiers: Premium, Performance, and Quad. The entry-level Premium trim delivers 533 horsepower, with an optional software and hardware power upgrade pushing output to 655 hp and 829 lb-ft of torque, reducing the zero-to-60 mph sprint from 4.5 seconds to 3.4 seconds. The mid-tier Performance trim outputs 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, clearing 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. At the top of the stack, the Quad trim retains its 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft output, hitting 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds, according to manufacturer data supplied to Motor1.
Engineering the R1S Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
Addressing consumer demand documented throughout previous production cycles, Rivian has engineered a six-seat interior layout for the R1S featuring second-row captain’s chairs. The design includes armrests that stow flush against the seatbacks, integrated pop-out cupholders, and heating elements. The spatial arrangement maintains a center pass-through that facilitates third-row ingress and egress while accommodating elongated equipment such as skis, snowboards, or surfboards.
Sample Telemetry API Query for Rivian Fleet Monitoring
curl -X GET "https://api.rivian.com/fleet/v1/vehicles/status"
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN"
-H "Content-Type: application/json"
Interior Options and Pricing Tiers
Interior naming conventions have similarly been standardized across the lineup. The Premium trim offers Ocean Coast or Black Mountain finishes. Performance and Quad tiers gain three signature options: Slate Sky Signature, which pairs gray tones with plaid details and walnut wood accents; Black Mountain, utilizing warm ash; and Ocean Coast, featuring soft grays with dark ash wood trim.
Pricing across the lineup remains anchored to previous-generation MSRPs for entry points. The R1T pickup starts at $79,990 for the Premium trim, moving to $86,990 for the Premium Long Range, $100,990 for Performance, and $115,990 for Quad. The R1S SUV starts at $83,990 for the Premium trim, $90,990 for the Long Range variant, $106,990 for Performance, and tops out at $121,990 for the Quad variant. The optional power upgrade for Premium models carries a $5,000 add-on cost, per production details outlined by Motor1.
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