Families, luxury SUV purchasers, and anyone with internet access and a keyboard, Rivian has listened to your demands and responded: The R1S is now equipped with second-row captain’s chairs.
On Thursday, the 2027 Rivian R1T and R1S were unveiled with a revamped trim lineup, fresh color choice, and yes, second-row captain’s chairs for the R1S. Both are available for purchase with prices remaining the same. The R1T is priced starting at $81,885 and the R1S at $85,885 including an $1,895 destination fee.
Rivian is moving away from the current intricate motor-driven trim options and aligning the R1 models with the new R2 configurations. The base dual motor versions are now termed the Premium model, while tri-motor versions have become the Performance trim, and Quad remains as is. Power outputs, performance specifications, battery configurations, and range remain unchanged with up to 410 miles of EPA-estimated range on a Premium R1S and 420 miles on the R1T.
Rivian has indicated that second-row captain’s chairs have been the most sought-after interior feature to date. With the second-row captain’s chair option joining the R1S lineup, the three-row SUV can now be configured to accommodate six or seven passengers. However, this new seating setup is part of a complex pricing and options structure, where the six-seat configuration will add $4,000 to $6,000 to the total cost depending on trim and interior color. The seats themselves are essentially a $1,500 option but necessitate the bundling of packages or expensive interior colors.
The captain’s chairs are mounted on rails and can slide while tilting the seat back forward, allowing easy access to the third row with the press of a button on the seat-back, similar to the current bench seat. These chairs can fold flat, like the existing bench seat, creating a completely flat cargo area for those wishing to use the six-seat R1S for camping with an air mattress in the back at night. The captain’s chairs come heated, feature LATCH and top-tether anchors, have foldable individual armrests, and include flip-down cup holders from the inner edge of the seat.
Rivian clearly anticipates that the expensive second-row captain’s chairs will be a popular choice, as the bench seat will only be available for the R1S Premium and R1S Performance and Quad trims with the Black Mountain Signature interior. Buyers wanting to opt for an R1S Performance or Quad with a Slate Sky or Ocean Coast interior and second-row bench seat will find this option unavailable as they are now exclusively six-seater configurations.
A new Esker Silver hue that reportedly gives the R1 a liquid-metal look has joined the R1 lineup, replacing LA Silver. Rivian has also rolled out a new standard 20-inch wheel design on the R1T, equipped with Goodyear all-season tires, which will also be an option for R1T Performance models.
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