2027 Rivian R1S Adds Captain's Chairs — Most-Requested Feature Finally Arrives

Following the R1T, Rivian has officially unveiled the 2027-model-year R1S and R1T. The most anticipated update in this refresh is the R1S's debut of second-row captain's chairs — a configuration Rivian calls the 'most-requested feature' since the R1S's launch.

Previously, the R1S offered only a three-seat bench in the second row, requiring seat folding or repositioning of child safety seats to access the third row. The new six-seat layout features a center aisle, enabling passengers to walk directly to the rear without disturbing installed child seats; long items like skis can also slide smoothly down the center aisle, with all six seats remaining fully usable.

Each captain's chair includes a stowable armrest, an inward-popping cup holder, full ISOFIX anchor points, and seat heating. When folded, they still achieve a completely flat load floor.

Notably, the seven-seat bench remains available: it continues as standard on R1S Premium and Performance/Quad trims with the Black Mountain Signature interior. Captain's chairs are offered exclusively as an option, with pricing varying significantly by trim and interior package:

• Premium models require the Sound + Vision package to enable the option — adding $4,000 for Black Mountain interior or $6,000 for Ocean Coast interior;
• Performance and Quad models start at $1,500; Ocean Coast Signature and Slate Sky Signature interiors are only available when selecting captain's chairs, priced at $4,000 and $4,500 respectively.

Meanwhile, Rivian has significantly simplified its trim naming: it has dropped motor-count-based labels (Dual/Tri/Quad) in favor of three unified tiers — Premium (dual-motor), Performance (tri-motor), and Quad (quad-motor). Premium delivers up to 533 hp and 610 lb-ft (≈827 N·m) of torque, accelerating 0–60 mph in 4.5 seconds; Performance offers 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft (≈1,500 N·m), hitting 60 mph in 2.9 seconds; Quad reaches 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft (≈1,625 N·m), with the R1T achieving 0–60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.

Exterior updates include 20-inch Adventure All-Season off-road wheels and Goodyear tires as standard on Premium trims; across all trims, Esker Silver liquid-metal paint replaces LA Silver as the base exterior color.

Pricing has increased: the 2027 R1S starts at $83,990, while the R1T begins at $79,990 — up $7,000 and $9,000 respectively from the 2026 model year. Analysts suggest this move aims to reinforce the R1 series' premium positioning, clearing market space for the upcoming more affordable R2, now entering production.