Although most Rivian attention is on the R2 right now, the automaker is still giving its midsize R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck some updates for the new model year, among them new color schemes that will help them fit in with their stylish kid brother. Much more importantly for many buyers, however, is the R1S’ newly available six-seat configuration for better access to the third row.
In High Demand
The Rivian sport-ute will enter the 2027 model year with a newly available pair of second-row bucket seats, which replace the three-position bench that comes standard. According to the company, those captain’s chairs are the single most requested feature in R1S history, which is why it’s a little surprising that Rivian took five years to make them happen – especially since the SUV saw a major technological and engineering update for the 2025 model year.
Still, the second-row bucket seats should make access to the third row a little less cumbersome, especially for families with small children who may now be able to climb aboard without Mom and Dad’s help. The new arrangement still includes LATCH anchors for child restraints, as well as seat heating for the individual buckets. There’s also a fold-down armrest and a pop-out cupholder in each chair for a little more practicality and comfort. Furthermore, a pass-through feature will allow the 2027 Rivian R1S to carry six people in relative comfort while sliding longer cargo, like skis, down the center aisle of the rear seating area.
2027 Rivian R1S Captain’s Chair OptionRivian
On the base R1S Premium model, the captain’s chairs are a $1,500 option that also requires selecting the $2,500 Sound & Vision package, effectively turning them into a $4,000 prospect. Those who want a different color scheme than the standard Black Mountain upholstery can select a new Ocean Coast light gray interior, although it will cost an additional $2,000 on top of the existing $4,000. The R1S Performance and R1S Quad will also offer second-row buckets at a cost of $1,500 with the Black Mountain interior, $4,000 with the Ocean Coast motif, or $4,500 for the Slate Sky color (a cool, chilly gray inspired by a cloudy day at a Northern California beach).
No-Compromises Range And Ruggedness
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The outgoing Rivian R1T pickup requires its owner to make a challenging choice when building their dream electric truck. Opting for all-terrain tires cuts range by about 50 miles, dropping a Max Battery–equipped Riv from 420 to 370 miles between charges. For 2027, Rivian is splitting the difference by making a Goodyear adventure all-season tire standard equipment on the Premium trim and a no-cost option on the Performance, balancing low rolling resistance and reasonable aerodynamics with off-road competence and grip.
The result is an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range on the standard battery, 380 miles on the long-range, and 348 miles on the performance. Compared to their 2026 equivalents, the no-cost adventure all-season rubber improves on its all-terrain kin by at least 10 miles or so in government testing.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Rivian is still a relatively young company, and although its products have become a sort of the de facto 4Runner replacement for adventurous environmentalists, listening to its clients is vital for the company to establish long-term relationships with those potential repeat customers. Since the proletariat has been overwhelmingly demanding second-row captain’s chairs, Rivian did well to pay attention to those requests. That bodes well for the company’s future, especially if it keeps making small but desired changes to its lineup.
Source: Rivian
