If you’re eyeing a Rivian R1S or already have one in the driveway, you’re probably wondering what the Rivian R1S resale value forecast looks like over the next five to ten years. The R1S is still a young nameplate in a young segment, and early resale data is noisy. But there are already enough signals, from pricing data, depreciation studies, and broader EV trends, to sketch a clear picture of where values are heading and what you can do about it.
The short version
Why Rivian R1S resale value matters now
Depreciation isn’t just an accounting abstraction. On a vehicle that often stickers between **$75,000 and $105,000**, a swing of 10 percentage points in 5‑year resale value can mean the difference between losing $40,000… or $50,000+ out of pocket. If you’re financing, it affects how quickly you get out of negative equity. If you’re leasing, it quietly shapes your monthly payment via residual value. And if you’re buying a used R1S, it helps you tell the difference between a fair price and wishful thinking.
The complication with Rivian is timing. The first R1S examples only reached customers in meaningful volume around 2022. That means the usual 5‑year depreciation curves are still partly modeled rather than fully observed. What we do have is a blend of:
- Real‑world used listings and transaction data
- Third‑party depreciation forecasts
- Rivian’s own residual assumptions in lease programs
- Broader EV resale trends, both the boom and the recent correction
Early Rivian R1S resilience in the numbers
Context matters
Current used R1S prices and early signals
As of early 2026, used **2025 Rivian R1S** models are already hitting the market in meaningful numbers. CARFAX data shows average transaction prices for 2025 R1S examples clustering in the **low‑$70,000s**, against original MSRPs ranging from about **$75,900 to $105,900**. In other words, nearly‑new trucks are often selling just slightly under sticker, hardly a fire sale.
Earlier model years tell a more nuanced story. Kelley Blue Book’s 3‑year depreciation tracking for the **2023 R1S** suggests a roughly **30% loss of value over three years**, leaving a resale price in the mid‑$50,000s for a typically‑equipped example. That puts the R1S in the **top quartile of 2023 SUVs for value retention**, despite the EV segment’s recent pricing turbulence.
What this means if you own one
If you bought early at peak pricing and incentives, you’ve likely given back more in resale than Rivian’s latest buyers will. But relative to many luxury EVs, your R1S has held its own.
The upside: if Rivian stabilizes production and demand, depreciation should flatten, not accelerate, from here.
What this means if you’re shopping used
Lightly used R1S inventory is already discounted vs. MSRP but still priced like a desirable niche product. You’re not buying a distressed asset; you’re buying into a still‑hot segment that’s come off its speculative highs.
This is where careful battery and condition vetting become crucial, exactly what the Recharged Score was built for.
5-year Rivian R1S resale value forecast
Every forecast is a bet on three things: the product, the brand, and the market. The R1S is strong on product, promising on brand, and lives in a market that’s volatile but maturing. Stitching together KBB’s resale awards, CARFAX value curves, Rivian lease residuals, and broader EV data, here’s a reasonable **2026–2031 depreciation picture** for a typical R1S in the U.S.:
Illustrative 5-year Rivian R1S value curve
Approximate resale percentages for a new R1S bought in 2026, assuming average mileage (12,000–15,000 miles per year), clean history, and good battery health.
| Age | Calendar example | Estimated resale % of original MSRP | Example value on $85,000 R1S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2027 | 75–80% | $63,750–$68,000 |
| Year 3 | 2029 | 60–65% | $51,000–$55,250 |
| Year 5 | 2031 | 45–55% | $38,250–$46,750 |
These figures are directional, not guaranteed. Local market conditions, options, and future Rivian decisions will move real‑world numbers up or down.
Where the R1S stands
Looking out beyond 5 years, the curve flattens. Once an R1S crosses the 7‑ to 8‑year mark, **battery health and software support** dominate the conversation more than brand heat. If Rivian continues long‑term over‑the‑air (OTA) updates and offers clear, reasonably priced battery service options, we’d expect **10‑year residuals in the 30–35% band** for clean examples.
What drives R1S depreciation vs other EV SUVs
Resale value is not magic; it’s a popularity contest scored in dollars. With the R1S, a few key factors explain why it’s holding up better than some EVs and worse than a few others.
Key forces shaping R1S resale value
The levers that push your Rivian’s value up, or drag it down
Segment & demand
The R1S sits in a hot niche: three‑row, off‑road capable, luxury electric SUV. That makes it scarce and desirable today, especially among adventure‑oriented families who don’t want another anonymous crossover.
Performance & capability
Quad‑motor performance, genuine off‑road chops, and a distinctive design give the R1S more staying power than spec‑sheet competitors that feel like software beta tests wrapped in sheet metal.
EV market volatility
At the same time, the wider EV market has been on a roller coaster. After sky‑high values in 2021–2022, used EV prices corrected sharply, especially for older, short‑range models. The R1S is not immune to that gravity.
Brand risk & financials
Rivian is still a young automaker spending heavily to scale, and analysts have openly worried about its path to profit. Any serious stumble, production, recalls, or funding, would pressure resale values.
Charging ecosystem & tech
Access to fast, reliable charging is now a core part of EV resale. Rivian’s growing network and support for NACS (Tesla’s charging standard) both help keep the R1S relevant late into its life.
Recalls & reliability
Like any complex EV, the R1S has seen software recalls, including driver‑assist issues addressed via OTA updates. Recalls that are fixed cleanly tend to have limited long‑term impact, but repeated problems can spook used buyers.
Biggest risk to the forecast
Battery health and range: How much do they matter?
On any used EV, **battery health is the new odometer**. Shoppers have learned the hard way that a 70% battery is not “30% worn”, it’s a totally different car to live with. That’s doubly true for a big, heavy, adventure‑oriented SUV like the R1S.
- A healthy pack that still delivers close to original EPA range will support values at or above the forecast curve.
- Noticeable degradation (say, 10–15% range loss) will show up as lower offers and more time on market.
- Serious degradation (20%+ loss, pack faults, or repeated fast‑charge throttling) will drag a vehicle well below book value, even if cosmetics look great.
The good news: modern, liquid‑cooled packs like Rivian’s tend to age better than early‑generation EV batteries, especially when software keeps fast‑charging behavior in check. The bad news: measuring that health precisely has usually been hard for ordinary shoppers.
How Recharged quantifies pack health
Trim, year, and spec: How they shape resale value
If you strip away color, wheels, and marketing, resale boils down to capability and perceived scarcity. With the R1S, that means specific configurations will age more gracefully than others.
R1S configurations that tend to hold value better
1. Longer‑range battery options
All else equal, trucks with the higher‑capacity packs will stay attractive longer as expectations for EV range keep creeping upward. Shorter‑range specs may feel outdated faster, even if they fit many people’s real needs.
2. Dual‑motor sweet spot trims
Quad‑motor halo builds will always have fans, but well‑equipped dual‑motor trims often hit the best balance of price, efficiency, and capability, attracting a broader pool of second and third owners.
3. Popular, timeless colors
Wild paint is fun; neutral paint is liquid. Earth tones, whites, grays, and dark blues tend to turn faster and avoid the “that‑was‑so‑2023” effect five years out.
4. Tow package & adventure options
Functional options that expand what the R1S can actually do, towing, off‑road hardware, upgraded audio for long trips, tend to carry some resale premium over purely cosmetic addons.
5. Clean software & feature history
Future shoppers will care whether key features like driver assists, OTA updates, and connectivity still work smoothly. Trucks that have kept up with recommended software updates will be easier to sell at strong money.
How to protect your R1S resale value
You can’t control macroeconomics or Rivian’s stock price, but you have real leverage over where your individual R1S lands on the resale curve. Think of it as making friends with your future appraiser.
Practical steps to keep your R1S high on the curve
Simple habits today that matter thousands of dollars later
Be kind to the battery
- Avoid living at 100% or 0% state of charge; daily use in the 20–80% window is easier on the pack.
- Use DC fast charging when you need it, not as a daily habit.
- Store the truck with a comfortable charge level if it’ll sit for weeks.
Keep software current
- Apply Rivian’s over‑the‑air updates, especially those related to battery, drive units, and driver assistance.
- Document major updates and warranty work, buyers like to see a paper trail, even for digital fixes.
Treat cosmetics like money
- Fix significant curb rash, cracked glass, and visible dents; these are line‑items on every appraisal.
- Address interior stains and tears before they harden into a discount.
Mind mileage & usage profile
- High mileage is not fatal, but it must be consistent with a well‑maintained history.
- Off‑road use is fine, this is an R1S, but heavy wear on underbody components will be noticed and priced in.
Sell while the story is still exciting
Should you lease or buy a Rivian R1S?
Rivian’s own behavior is a window into how banks see long‑term value. Early R1S leases used conservative residuals and high money factors, a sign of uncertainty about where values might land. Over time, Rivian and its finance partners have adjusted, residual assumptions for some 36‑month terms have climbed into the high‑60% range, signaling growing confidence.
When leasing makes sense
- You want to offload residual‑value risk in a still‑evolving EV market.
- You plan to keep the R1S for 2–4 years, then move on to the next thing.
- You can access tax incentives or subvented leases that effectively bake in aggressive residuals.
In that scenario, the bank is betting on the resale market, not you. If values come in lower than expected, it’s their problem at lease‑end, not yours.
When buying (especially used) shines
- You intend to keep the vehicle 6–10 years and drive it deep into its curve.
- You can buy a lightly used R1S that’s already absorbed the steepest first‑year depreciation.
- You care about battery health transparency and want to cherry‑pick a proven example.
Here, your job is to buy well: strong discount vs. MSRP, verified pack health, and a configuration that will still make sense in a decade.
How Recharged thinks about this
Selling or buying a used R1S with Recharged
Because the R1S is still relatively scarce, traditional pricing guides sometimes lag behind what enthusiasts are actually paying. That’s where a dedicated used‑EV platform like Recharged earns its keep.
How Recharged helps you land on the right side of the curve
Whether you’re cashing out of your R1S or finally getting into one
Transparent, EV‑specific pricing
Every vehicle on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that blends market data, battery diagnostics, and condition to anchor pricing. You’re not negotiating in the dark against gas‑car depreciation models that don’t fit EV reality.
Verified battery diagnostics
Our Recharged Score includes pack‑health testing, so you can see how an individual R1S compares to peers. That protects sellers from lowball guesses and protects buyers from overpaying for a tired battery.
Flexible selling & buying paths
Recharged offers instant offers, trade‑ins, or consignment for sellers, plus nationwide delivery and EV‑specialist support for buyers. You can handle everything digitally or visit our Experience Center in Richmond, VA if you like to kick tires in person.
The upshot: the Rivian R1S looks set to be one of the **stronger‑resale electric SUVs** of its generation, provided Rivian stays healthy and owners treat these trucks like the long‑term assets they are. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply planning your next move, pairing a smart understanding of depreciation with hard data on battery health is the surest way to come out ahead.
