The Gen 2 R1S is not a simple facelift; it features hundreds of hardware changes designed to improve efficiency and performance.

A revamped Quad-motor setup and a new "Launch Mode".

For available configurations in the Rivian R1 Shop , delivery typically takes 1–6 weeks . Custom-built orders through the configurator generally take a few months.

The originally went on sale in late 2022 . A major second-generation update (Gen 2) was launched in mid-2024 for the 2025 model year, and the 2026 Rivian R1S models went on sale in mid-2025 . Key Release Milestones First Customer Deliveries: Late August 2022. Second Generation (Gen 2) Launch: June 2024. 2026 Model Year Release: Mid-2025.

A dedicated Apple Watch app and improved hands-free driving via the Autonomy+ package.

Beginning with the 2026 model year. Current Model Options (2026)

Customer deliveries began in late August 2022 after initial production delays. This generation spanned the 2022–2024 model years.

As the calendar turned to 2020, the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc on global supply chains. Like many automakers, Rivian was forced to reassess its timeline. The company announced a delay, pushing the launch of the R1T and R1S into 2021. For a startup attempting to break into a market dominated by century-old giants, such a delay could have been fatal. Yet, the delay also served a strategic purpose; it allowed Rivian to finalize the engineering of their "skateboard" platform and secure further capital through high-profile investments, most notably from Amazon and Ford.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive industry, few events have signaled a paradigm shift quite like the arrival of Rivian. While legacy automakers were slow to embrace the utility of electric vehicles (EVs) beyond compact sedans, Rivian identified a gaping hole in the market: the adventure vehicle. The Rivian R1S, an all-electric sport utility vehicle, was not merely a product launch; it was a litmus test for the American consumer’s readiness to embrace an electric future without sacrificing capability. The release date of the R1S was a journey marked by high expectations, pandemic-induced hurdles, and a gradual rollout that tested the patience of early adopters.