The 2022 Rivian R1S was the first fully electric three-row adventure SUV to actually make it into American driveways. Three model years later, the question isn’t “Is it cool?”, that was settled the first time someone quietly launched from a stoplight. The question now is whether a 2022 R1S is a smart buy on the used market, with real miles, real wear on the battery, and a few recalls in the rearview mirror.
Why this 2022 R1S review matters now
2022 Rivian R1S overview
Rivian’s R1S arrived for 2022 as the SUV sibling to the R1T pickup, sharing a skateboard chassis, air suspension and quad-motor powertrain. The early run was mostly Launch Edition and Adventure trims with the so‑called Large Pack battery (about 135 kWh usable) and a standard three-row, seven-seat layout. Think of the R1S as a Jeep Grand Cherokee that went off to Stanford for a degree in electrical engineering and came back with 835 hp.
2022 Rivian R1S key numbers
On paper, the 2022 R1S reads like an enthusiast’s fever dream: four independent motors, adaptive air suspension, up to 15 inches of ground clearance, and genuine off‑road hardware. In practice, it’s a very civilized family crossover that just happens to be able to rock crawl and outrun sports cars.
Powertrain, performance and driving experience
Most 2022 Rivian R1S models you’ll see on the used market are quad‑motor, all‑wheel drive. Each wheel gets its own motor, orchestrated by software that thinks faster than any mechanical differential. Total output is a claimed 835 hp and 908 lb‑ft of torque, routed through single‑speed gearboxes front and rear.
How the 2022 R1S drives
From silent stoplight assassin to composed family cruiser
Violent acceleration
Comfortable, not floaty
Quiet, with some tire roar
Steering feel is modern EV: light at parking speeds, firmer at a clip, with not much road texture making it through. You sit high, on thickly padded seats, looking over a flat hood and a simple, horizontal dash. It’s more Range Rover‑adjacent than Tesla in the way it rides and steers, but with the instant response of four electric motors instead of turbos and gearboxes.
Wheel choice matters
Battery, range and charging for the 2022 R1S
Early R1S models shipped with Rivian’s Large Pack battery, roughly 130 kWh usable, giving official EPA range around 316 miles in 2022 trim on smaller wheels. Real‑world range, of course, is a more complicated story.
2022 Rivian R1S range: what to expect
Approximate real‑world range for a healthy battery, depending on how you drive.
| Scenario | Environment | Approx. Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal cruising | 70 mph, mild temps, 21" wheels | 260–280 miles |
| Typical highway road trip | 75–80 mph, mixed weather | 220–250 miles |
| Cold-weather city/suburbs | Below freezing, mixed use | 190–230 miles |
| Heavy towing | Mid-size trailer, highway speeds | 120–160 miles |
Your actual range will depend heavily on speed, temperature, elevation and wheel/tire choice.
The R1S will fast‑charge at up to around 220 kW on a compatible DC fast charger, though you’ll spend more of your session in the 100–150 kW band. Rivian’s own Adventure Network sites tend to play nicest, but the R1S also works with most major CCS networks.
Home charging reality check
If you’re considering a used 2022 R1S, battery health is the single most important question. A three‑to‑four‑year‑old pack with 40,000–60,000 miles doesn’t scare us in itself, big packs age gently, but you want data, not vibes. This is where a Recharged Score battery health report becomes invaluable; it lets you see how that specific R1S has been charged, driven and aged before you wire a five‑figure payment.
Off-road capability and towing
The marketing photos of an R1S fording alpine streams aren’t pure fantasy. Thanks to its quad‑motor powertrain and sophisticated air suspension, the 2022 R1S is one of the few EVs that can credibly replace a Land Cruiser or 4Runner for real off‑road use, if you can live with the realities of charging in the woods.
Off-road and utility highlights
Where the 2022 R1S earns its adventure stripes
Serious ground clearance
Quad-motor traction
7,700‑lb towing
The catch: trail charging
Interior, third row and cargo space
Inside, the 2022 R1S does an impression of a Scandinavian lounge: open‑pore wood, vegan leather, matte metal trim, and a panoramic fixed glass roof that floods all three rows with light. There’s a strong “outdoor gear catalog” vibe to the color palettes, Forest Edge greens, Ocean Coast creams, more REI than Ritz‑Carlton.
Space for people
- Front row: Tons of head- and legroom, high seating position, wide armrests. Very comfortable over long days.
- Second row: Adult-friendly, with a sliding bench to share legroom with the third row.
- Third row: Kids and shorter adults will be fine; taller passengers get a knees-up, low-cushion posture that’s best for shorter stints.
Space for stuff
- About 17–18 cu ft of cargo behind the third row, decent but not minivan-like.
- Fold the third row and you open up roughly 46–48 cu ft, plenty for a family road trip.
- With both rear rows flat, you’re looking at around 88–90 cu ft of total cargo volume, plus an 11‑cu‑ft frunk that swallows carry‑on bags or a stroller.
Family road-trip friendly
Fit-and-finish in early Rivians is generally strong: tight panel gaps inside, quality materials where your hands fall, and clever touches like built‑in LED flashlights and numerous USB‑C ports. It doesn’t quite have the vault‑like solidity of a German luxury SUV, but it also doesn’t feel like a first‑draft start‑up experiment.
Infotainment, tech and driver assistance
Here’s where the 2022 Rivian R1S feels most like a gadget. Two large screens, one central touchscreen and one driver display, run Rivian’s in‑house software. The interface is clean and attractive, with rich maps and an outdoorsy theme. Over‑the‑air updates have steadily added features and smoothed rough edges since launch.
- No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then or now. If you live inside those ecosystems, you’ll be using Bluetooth audio and Rivian’s native apps.
- Physical buttons are almost entirely absent, climate, drive modes and most settings live on the main screen.
- Voice control is improving, but not infallible; some owners report the occasional need for a hard reset when the system misbehaves.
- Driver-assistance includes adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring and a highway assist system on many 2022 builds. It’s competent and continuously updated, but not fully hands‑off.
Try the UI before you buy
Reliability, recalls and ownership experience
Rivian is a young automaker, and the 2022 R1S was built in its earliest production years. That means you’re getting cutting‑edge hardware with a side of growing pains. On the upside, Rivian has leaned on over‑the‑air software fixes and mobile service to address many issues without traditional dealer visits.
What we know about 2022 R1S reliability
Early production quirks, recalls and owner reports
Common complaints
- Occasional infotainment glitches or black screens requiring a restart.
- Wind noise from frameless windows if they’re slightly misaligned.
- Minor trim rattles in cold weather.
Recalls and safety fixes
Warranty coverage
Service is the other piece of the puzzle. Rivian doesn’t have a dealer network in the traditional sense, but a combination of service centers, mobile technicians and parts shipped directly to owners. In dense metro areas, this has worked surprisingly well. In rural regions, you’ll want to make sure there’s a service solution that doesn’t turn every minor repair into a logistics exercise.
2022 R1S used-market pricing and value
MSRP for a 2022 Rivian R1S Launch Edition started in the mid‑$70,000s before options and easily crossed $90,000 as tested with the Large Pack, 22‑inch wheels and off‑road gear. On the used market in 2025–2026, you’ll typically see examples somewhere between well‑optioned luxury crossovers and six‑figure German SUVs.
Typical 2022 Rivian R1S used pricing bands
Approximate retail asking ranges in the U.S. as of early 2026.
| Condition / Mileage | Typical Equipment | Ballpark Asking Price |
|---|---|---|
| Higher mileage (60k+ mi) | Adventure trim, Large Pack, 21" wheels | Low–mid $60,000s |
| Average mileage (30k–60k mi) | Adventure/Launch, common options, mixed wheels | High $60,000s–mid $70,000s |
| Low mileage (under 30k mi) | Heavily optioned, 22" wheels, off-road package | High $70,000s–mid $80,000s |
Actual prices vary by mileage, condition, options, region and market swings.
Depreciation has been meaningful but not catastrophic. The R1S is still a rare, desirable product: a genuinely capable three‑row electric SUV with off‑road chops. That props up used values relative to more ordinary EV crossovers, but early buyers absolutely did subsidize the development curve.
How Recharged can help you price a 2022 R1S
Who the 2022 Rivian R1S is (and isn’t) for
Perfect match if you:
- Want a three-row EV that isn’t just a people-mover but also a legitimate adventure vehicle.
- Value design and cabin ambiance as much as hard specs.
- Have reliable access to Level 2 home charging and at least one fast-charging network.
- Are comfortable being an early adopter, software updates, occasional quirks, and all.
Probably not for you if you:
- Need maximum third-row comfort for adults every day, consider a larger SUV or minivan.
- Live far from Rivian service coverage and don’t want to coordinate mobile visits.
- Are allergic to touchscreen-heavy controls and the lack of CarPlay/Android Auto.
- Want absolute rock-bottom operating costs; huge tires and out-of-warranty repairs can sting.
Buying a used 2022 R1S: checklist
Key checks before you buy a 2022 Rivian R1S
1. Pull a detailed battery health report
Request a <strong>Recharged Score battery health diagnosis</strong> or comparable report. You want to see current usable capacity, DC fast‑charging frequency and any signs of abnormal degradation.
2. Confirm recall and service history
Ask for documentation showing completion of key recalls (seatbelt sensors, suspension-related campaigns) and any major warranty repairs. Verify with the VIN if possible.
3. Inspect tires, wheels and suspension
The R1S is heavy and powerful; it eats tires for breakfast if driven hard. Check for uneven wear, curbed 22‑inch wheels and any suspension clunks or squeaks over bumps.
4. Test all drive modes and ride heights
Cycle through Comfort, Sport, Off‑Road and different ride heights on your test drive. Listen for noises and make sure the air suspension raises and lowers promptly and evenly.
5. Live in the infotainment for 10 minutes
Try navigation, climate, audio, driver assists and profile settings. A few glitches are normal in tech-heavy cars, but persistent lag, freezing or reboots can foreshadow frustration.
6. Verify charging behavior
If possible, plug into both a Level 2 and a DC fast charger during your evaluation. Confirm the car negotiates expected charge speeds and the charge port door and locks behave properly.
7. Evaluate your local service options
Before you sign, confirm whether there’s a Rivian service center or mobile coverage that can reasonably support you. Owning one where the nearest tech is states away can make simple issues painful.
2022 Rivian R1S FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the 2022 Rivian R1S
Final verdict: 2022 Rivian R1S
The 2022 Rivian R1S is what happens when an adventure SUV is designed by people who actually go outside. It’s fast in a way that makes nonsense of physics, genuinely capable off‑road, and wrapped in an interior that feels more like a boutique hotel than a science project. The flip side is that you’re buying into an ambitious young automaker with a still‑maturing service footprint and software stack.
If you want a quiet, efficient commuter pod, there are cheaper, simpler EVs. If you want a three‑row family hauler with the soul of an overlanding rig and you’re comfortable being slightly ahead of the curve, a well‑vetted 2022 R1S is one of the most compelling used EVs on sale right now.
Just don’t skip the homework. Confirm recalls, scrutinize service history, and insist on objective battery health data, ideally via a Recharged Score Report. Get those pieces right and the 2022 Rivian R1S can deliver exactly what its design promises: a future‑proof family adventure machine that still feels special every time you thumb the start button.
