Electric SUVs promise to be the future of family hauling, but can they handle the chaos of real mom life? I spent a week with the 2025 Rivian R1S finding out.
The 2025 Rivian R1S isn’t just another electric SUV trying to win over families, and I didn’t quite understand this until I got a chance to review one. It’s sleek, smart, undeniably luxurious, and surprisingly practical (well, mostly). From the quiet luxury of the cabin to my 5-year-old’s brutally honest feedback—she had a lot to say—here’s what it’s really like to live with the Rivian R1S as a woman, mom, and someone who just wants things to work without overthinking them.
With a base price of $75,900 and a maximum of $110,400, there are very few SUVs at the top of the mountain with it. There’s the upcoming Lucid Gravity with a price range of around $80,000 to $120,000, the Tesla Model X Plaid for up to $110,000, the Volvo EX90, which has a max price of around $95,000, or the Audi e-tron Q8 for around $90,000 at the top of the line. The Rivian R1S is a pricey SUV, but the features, style, ease of use, technology, and versatility helped justify it (at least a little bit).
As a Virgo who appreciates clean lines and organized spaces, the 2025 Rivian R1S’s minimalist interior immediately spoke to me. Everything has its place, nothing feels cluttered, and the design feels intentional rather than overwhelming. But does beautiful design translate to real-world functionality for busy families?
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
What’s So Special About the Rivian R1S’s Ascend Package?
The 2025 Rivian R1S is a three-row electric SUV that’s positioned as luxury family transportation with serious adventure capabilities. Think of it as what happens when outdoor gear meets high-end technology. We drove the tri-motor with the Ascend package, an AWD off-road-oriented SUV that produces 850 horsepower and a whopping 1,100 lb-ft of torque from one motor in the front and two in the rear or two in the rear for extra traction and capability. There is a dual motor version that delivers 533 HP and a Quad motor version for extreme off roading that produces 1,025 HP.
My kids were immediately wowed by the updated interior. They actually exclaimed, “Mommy, this is better than your car!” and honestly, I couldn’t argue. The space, the materials, the attention to detail; it all feels premium without being pretentious. The beautiful plaid carpets, an electrochromic full-length fixed glass roof (that we wished would open for some fresh air), bright yellow calipers, and a wonderful 18-speaker “Elevation” sound system. And, of course, trim-specific 22-inch wheels. The seats are covered in a gorgeous vegan leather material with quilted plaid inserts, and beautiful wooden finishes that aren’t in any other trim levels.
The Black Mountain and Brown Ash Wood interior creates this beautiful contrast against the Glacier White exterior paint ($1,750 option that’s absolutely worth it for photos alone). Those plaid floor mats tie everything together with a cute detail that feels both luxurious and approachable.
The Ascend Package Truly Brings the R1S to New Heights
More power isn’t just he only thing that comes with the Ascend package. When the going gets tough, you can choose between Sport, Rally, Rock Crawl, and employ the Kick-Turn feature (which is only available in the quad-motor setup) that enables a tight, 360-degree spin in loose terrain so you can shake (or spin) yourself loose if you’re stuck.
Despite having air adaptive air suspension, the ride wasn’t as smooth as expected. We felt every bump, and my oldest daughter complained she couldn’t sleep during our drive due to the bumpiness.
Thanks to the max battery pack that comes standard, the range is about 371 miles on a full charge, and all that torque helps the Rivian R1S get to 60 mph from a stop in just 2.9 seconds. I didn’t test that, as I had my 5-year-old in the car with me, but it was certainly much quicker than you’d think it is just by looking at it. If you want more power, the Ascend is the only R1S model that can be bought with the quad-motor setup, and that increases the output to 1,025 horsepower.
READ MORE: I Drove the Rivian Gen 2 R1 Quad and Now I’m A Rivian Person
Charging On the Road Was a Harsh Reality Check
Here’s where things get real. We charged the Rivian R1S at a rest stop when we had about 21% range on our way back from Philadelphia. It took 30-45 minutes to reach 80%; not terrible for a bathroom break or a quick power nap before hitting the road again.
But finding available charging stations is where stress lives. I spent one evening driving around with my 5-year-old (who goes everywhere with me), trying to find a working charger as we approached 20% battery. No luck. It was getting late and dark, so we headed home and tried again the next day. I eventually found an Electrify America station a few miles from home, but it cost about $60 to charge to 85%, slightly more than filling my Acura MDX with gas.
The good news? Rivian introduced a Google Maps integration update (unfortunately, right after my test week ended) that should solve the navigation issues that sent us on wild goose chases for nonexistent charging stations. But if you’re not charging at home, you’re constantly planning ahead. We don’t own an EV, so no at-home charging port.
READ MORE: EV Charging’s Dirty Little Secret — Why It Can Cost As Much As Gas, And How to Pay Less
The Rivian R1S is Best for Affluent Families
From a family perspective, I loved that it could fit up to four car seats in the second and third row seats, and each row had plenty of space for both little ones and adults. Installing the seats was super easy thanks to the LATCH system, the seats had tons of room to tilt and slide with seats installed for easier access to the third row, and large windows (and that sunroof) are perfect for entertaining small children.
Rear climate control is easy to control from the central screen, and the ride and entry height made getting kids in and out of their car seats a breeze. While driving, it was smooth, but the price makes it a very niche family hauler. If you’re a family that values cutting-edge technology, appreciates thoughtful design, and doesn’t mind being an early adopter of electric luxury, the Rivian R1S Ascend is a great option. My family of four was perfectly comfortable.
READ MORE: The Rivian R2 Reveal, Plus a Surprise R3 & R3X Too!
Customization Helped Amplify the Interior (And Exterior) Atmosphere
The configurable accent lighting became an instant family favorite. The 2025 Rivian R1S offers six preset themes: Glacier Fog, Forest Valley, Alpine Lake, Twilight Trail, Pacific Sunset, and Canyon Glow. My favorite was definitely Twilight Trail with its purplish color; it transforms the entire cabin atmosphere and perfectly matches my love for all things purple.
Here’s something unexpectedly delightful: the R1S offers several unique sounds for the lock confirmation feature. Our favorite was the Owl sound. I kept it on that setting because it was the loudest and consistently had people looking around in bewilderment when I locked the car. It became our little family entertainment, especially in parking lots.
A Tech-Laden SUV Came with Some Seriously Cool Features
Aside from being able to hang my purse on the back of either the passenger’s seat or the driver’s seat to not take up any of the center console space, there were more than a few features that helped me understand the six-figure price tag. One being the built-in air compressor, which would come in handy in off-road or roadside emergencies.
The Blind Spot View became my favorite feature, especially on highways like I-95 with trucks everywhere. It shows a live camera feed from whichever side you’re signaling toward, giving you an extra visual check for vehicles in your blind spots. Game-changer for confident lane changes.
Regenerative braking takes some getting used to, but becomes second nature quickly. I actually miss it now that I’m back to driving a gas-powered SUV. Highway Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control make long drives less stressful—essential for family road trips. Automatic Emergency Braking provides peace of mind with kids in the car, and Surround Sensors give you parking confidence in tight spots.
READ MORE: The 7 Best EVs for Families Under $60,000—And Yes, There are Deals Right Now
Not All That Glitters is Gold, Though
Overall, the Rivian R1S Ascend gets a very enthusiastic thumbs-up from my family and I. However, there were a few things that left us scratching our heads. One of the first criticisms came from my five-year-old. She said, “It needs a step!” She meant a running board. Getting in and out was challenging for her, and honestly, for me too, at 5’3″. It sits higher than expected, making independence difficult for little ones like her.
Rear passengers have a lot of features to enjoy, but no rear entertainment system feels like a miss for a family SUV at this price point. My kids have their own devices, but not all families operate that way. Despite having air suspension (which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s height and stiffness for different driving conditions and loads), the ride wasn’t as smooth as expected. We felt every bump, and my oldest daughter complained she couldn’t sleep during our drive due to the bumpiness.
The seats, while adjustable in every way imaginable, weren’t as comfortable as I’d hoped for long drives. I struggled to find the right position for our New York to Philadelphia trip. And, as I mentioned before, Rivian’s charger station navigation system is in its infancy, and led us to stations that weren’t working or didn’t exist at all. So, if you have to rely on public charging, do your planning with a backup app like PlugShare so you’re not left feeling frustrated.
READ MORE: EV Charging Hiccups Remedied by Home Charge Adapters
The Rivian R1S Ascend Left One Hell of an Impression
The Rivian R1S was everything I hoped for and several things I didn’t expect. It’s gorgeous, capable, and made me feel like I was driving something important. But it’s not perfect, and if you’re a mom like me, the details—like ease of entry for little ones and charging logistics—matter just as much as the luxury badge.
Would I drive it again? In a heartbeat. Would I buy it? I honestly would, because no car is perfect. While there are things I’d change, the combination of luxury, technology, and environmental consciousness makes it compelling for families ready to embrace electric.
The best electric SUV for families might still be evolving, but the Rivian R1S is definitely pushing the conversation forward in meaningful ways.
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