2025 R1S Gen 2 is the only large SUV to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (R1T as well)

[Jivian]

I just saw that IIHS released new crash test ratings and it looks like the Gen 2 R1Ss are the only large SUV to earn the top rating. Also, the R1Ts kept their top rating as well.

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2024/large-suvs/all?tspPlusOnly#award-winners

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[TollKeeper]

Listed as a Launch Edition? Seems a bit odd.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Safety never was something I considered in cars but now that I have one that's really safe it feels more important going forward.

 

[FinancialCents]

Interesting it applies to August 2024 forward. Glad mine was built in September 2024.

 

[Rividiculous]

What would be the difference between the pre-August Gen2s and the August and after Gen2s?

This top rating is a great selling point. I picked out my last car (an Outback) largely based on safety statistics. I already felt comfortable with Rivians given their size and the initial Gen1 ratings. Great to know Gen2 is awesome as well. The new headlights are spectacular for improving safety.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I don't really pay too much attention to the top safety pick.

Like how many years has Tesla had basically there entire line up as top safety picks?

But, who builds the most fatal cars? Tesla.

The safest cars in the US are the least safest cars.

I do think Rivian is both safe from an IIHS standpoint, but also safe from a driver/passenger fatality rate perspective. I'm only aware of one fatality being mentioned on this forum in my 2.5+ years of being here.

 

[Rividiculous]

I don't really pay too much attention to the top safety pick.

Like how many years has Tesla had basically there entire line up as top safety picks?

But, who builds the most fatal cars? Tesla.

The safest cars in the US are the least safest cars.

I do think Rivian is both safe from an IIHS standpoint, but also safe from a driver/passenger fatality rate perspective. I'm only aware of one fatality being mentioned on this forum in my 2.5+ years of being here.

Generally agree and appreciate where you are coming from. When I previously went with an Outback, it was in part based on overall statistics just showing a low death rate for Outback drivers and passengers. That was probably partially because it is well designed for crash safety but also because Outbacks aren’t really fun to drive fast and likely because Outback drivers are cautious types.

The Rivian is much more fun to drive faster and I try to remind myself constantly about its weight as I don’t want to do something boneheaded and hurt someone (or not be ready to compensate for someone else being boneheaded).

Safety is complicated. I’m glad Rivian seems to be doing things right to build a safe vehicle.

And I’m glad the company doesn’t do ridiculous s—- like label its assist features as “self-driving.”

 

[southerncadesi]

What would be the difference between the pre-August Gen2s and the August and after Gen2s?

This top rating is a great selling point. I picked out my last car (an Outback) largely based on safety statistics. I already felt comfortable with Rivians given their size and the initial Gen1 ratings. Great to know Gen2 is awesome as well. The new headlights are spectacular for improving safety.

I’m also interested in this as I have an August built Gen 2. Which category do I fall under, after August or before August?! lol! #nomansland

 

[C12farmer]

What about my R1S built on July 31st. Did Rivian really make some massive structural change the next day?

 

[BrayBay]

For everyone's viewing pleasure (or displeasure):

R1S


R1T

 

[Rividiculous]

For everyone's viewing pleasure (or displeasure):

R1S


R1T

I know a great PDR guy…

 

[TollKeeper]

I noticed something on both of the videos that I have not seen in many other crash test (and I have watched MANY of them thru the years)... As soon as impact is detected, and forward momentum stops, the brakes are applied. I have only seen this in Subaru's, and now Rivian.

Normally, if you watch the videos of other makes, the vehicle continues to roll in the rebound direction.

The Rivian, on both videos, promptly comes to a stop. On the S video, you can even hear a slight tire squeal as the traction is momentarily lost during the braking.

I completely missed this on the prior gen small overlap tests where you can even see the rear wheels lock up. Props to Rivian on this one.



Example of uncontrolled post accident movement..



Or even worse...

 

[kenyee]

I didn't know there are center console air bags now... There's an airbag on the driver's right side. The genesis wraps you in bubbles in an accident ?

 

[Rividiculous]

Hmmmm….. I wonder what the changes were. I wish mine had been made slightly later but, hey, I am guessing it is still pretty safe. And it’s great that Rivian is constantly making improvements.


From the IIHS website:
The Rivian R1S was redesigned for the 2025 model year. Beginning with 2025 models built after August 2024 Rivian made modifications to the front body structure to improve occupant safety in frontal crashes. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2025 R1S conducted by Rivian (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)”

 

[mpshizzle]

What would be the difference between the pre-August Gen2s and the August and after Gen2s?

I think the difference is "Tested by IIHS" vs "Not Tested by IIHS". If there even was a change (probably not) it would have been some minor change made with somthing ancillary that doesn't directly affect anything safety related. If there was a change to anything that would affect safety ratings, it would be an major structural or safety system overhaul. But that didn't happen.

So I think the IIHS is just limiting liability so they don't get sued, because their test units were produced later.

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