Rivian R1S Dual vs. Tri vs. Quad Comparison Review by Out of Spec

[Zorg]

My current winter range (~3900 miles started trip around Thanksgiving), is 1.96

Assuming that’s true, I am likely getting ~180 miles of range, on average, this winter. It’s been quite cold basically the entire winter and the truck has lived outside the entire time as my garage is full of construction materials. I would imagine this is absolute worst case scenario since my battery starts cold on every trip unless I happen to have charged overnight, which doesn’t happen super often as I have solar and another EV so I often charge during the day.

I do often have multiple people in the truck and my most common driving is about 30-45 miles round trip on windy rural two lane highways at 45-65mph.

I did also use snow mode probably about 50-60% of the time this winter when local driving until this past week it has warmed up a little.

I didn’t get any real insight into warm weather efficiency as it was delivered 9/28. It was 2.12 for those two months on average. I suspect based on that limited info during fall, I will hopefully get pretty close to the 2.6-2.8 needed to hit the EPA range during warm weather season.

Stock 20” AT/AS Goodyear Wrangler with powered tonneau cover, typically closed.

Ty. How do the Goodyear tires do in the snow?

Tahoe basin is probably warmer than Maine and our vehicles stay in the garage

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[DuoRivian]

Cue all the snowflakes complaining it's too long.

Cue the people who bow down to Kyle and his ultra long, repetitious videos. At least AI has saved hours of people’s time to be used for something for useful.

 

[Zorg]

Cue the people who bow down to Kyle and his ultra long, repetitious videos. At least AI has saved hours of people’s time to be used for something for useful.

Can you show us where Kyle hurt you?

 

[bfilippo]

Ty. How do the Goodyear tires do in the snow?

Tahoe basin is probably warmer than Maine and our vehicles stay in the garage

Quite well. They’re not as good as the Nokian studded tires I had on the Tesla, of course, but I have felt stable on all but the most miserable day of heavy snow on top of recently refrozen ice on windy roads. Even then, I just drove slowly and was fine.

 

[malditofman]

I know we have a lot of OoS fans here
Idk why it needs to be feature film length video ?

Filmed 6 months ago. So might not have much new info. Mainly on track.


ADDED AI SUMMARY:

? Summary

• Introduction to Rivian R1S Lineup: The presenter sets the stage by comparing Rivian R1S's latest powertrain offerings—Dual, Tri, and Quad Motors—under high-performance conditions in the Mojave Desert. The focus is on evaluating whether the price upgrades translate into meaningful differences for buyers.
• ? Battery Technology Deep Dive: Rivian offers three battery packs—Standard (LFP), Large, and Max. LFP is robust and cheaper but offers lower range. The Large and Max Packs use higher-density chemistry (NMC/NCA), with Max unlocking high-performance capabilities. Interestingly, some early Large Packs were software-locked Max Packs.
• Software-Based Power Upgrades: The Dual Motor variant offers an upgradeable performance package—via software—for $5,000, boosting horsepower and enabling new off-road modes like rally and soft sand. This creates a compelling value proposition for performance-seeking buyers who don’t want to go all-in on a Tri or Quad.
• ? Performance Stats and Real-World Driving Experience:
  • Dual Motor Standard: Delivers a surprisingly rapid 0–60 of 4.5 seconds.
  • Dual Motor Performance: With 665 hp, shaves time to 3.4s—great bang for the buck.
  • Tri Motor: Hits 0–60 in 2.9s with 850 hp, introduces torque vectoring, new drive modes, and seamless AWD engagement.
  • Quad Motor: Offers 1025 hp and a 2.5s sprint, with ultimate torque vectoring and dedicated motors per wheel.
• ? Real-Life Testing Insights: Each drivetrain was subjected to launch, handling, and figure-8 dynamics testing. Key findings:
  • Dual Motor setup feels natural and well-balanced, though rear motor clutch engagement quirks persist.
  • Tri Motor impresses with smoothness and rear traction but lacks refinement in torque vectoring.
  • Quad Motor feels overkill for most, with the main performance gain attributed more to sticky tires than additional motors.
• ? Tech Talk: Inverters & Thermal Management: Rivian uses silicon carbide inverters in Max Pack vehicles for improved efficiency. Thermal issues are better controlled at the drivetrain level, but battery cooling still limits extended performance sessions.
• ? Software and Drive Mode Tuning: Rivian's clutch disconnect and reconnect systems in Dual and Tri Motors are improved but still interrupt seamless power delivery in certain driving modes. Tri Motor has a key benefit—always connected AWD in all-purpose mode, unlike Dual Motor which constantly cycles its rear axle.
• ? Off-Roading Performance Comparison:
  • Dual Motor relies on brake-based torque vectoring—not ideal but workable.
  • Tri Motor improves off-road control with rear-wheel independence.
  • Quad Motor has the potential for best off-road performance but requires more software fine-tuning to fully deliver its capabilities.
• ? Pricing vs Value Assessment: The Dual Motor LFP variant remains the sweet spot in terms of value. Performance upgrades provide a cost-effective power bump. The Tri Motor, while positioned as a balanced solution, has questionable value for average drivers. Quad Motor is best suited for EV enthusiasts who crave the pinnacle of EV power, though it comes with tuning limitations and an expected price range exceeding $115,000.
• ? Final Thoughts:
  • For most users: Go Dual Motor.
  • For performance-lovers who occasionally hit the track: Tri Motor is a balanced choice.
  • For those who want bragging rights and extreme power: Quad Motor is unmatched—though likely more impressive on paper than on road for now.

Nothing new. All well known information in that summary. Drive well.

 

[mcarver316]

Watched video, here is what I understood:

Dual Standard - Recommended for majority of the population to get
Tri - Get the PSS5 tires to match Quad driving dynamics performance
Quad - Not quite there, could be outperformed by Tri with identical sticky tires

Both Tri and Quad suffer from outer wheel underpowering on turns due to Rivian engineering choice (possibly for safety), outperformed by Ioniq 5N on the same course.

Other tidbit: Quad pulled consistently into right lane on the zero to 97 mph to zero test.

 

[Pacernow]

bfilippo,
Currently own a 21 Model Y, but considering buying a R1S Dual Motor with the Standard battery. Can you compare the Model Y to the R1S Dual Motor Standard? Very interested in your comparison. Thanks in advance.

 

[cmsmith]

Wow this did a great job!

It really did! A question for those of us that would be everyday drivers (not much off roading, but occasionally do some towing (Uhaul or utility trailer)). What would be the recommended setup? I'm thinking dual motor but am unsure what battery pack (LFP vs Large).

 

[bfilippo]

bfilippo,
Currently own a 21 Model Y, but considering buying a R1S Dual Motor with the Standard battery. Can you compare the Model Y to the R1S Dual Motor Standard? Very interested in your comparison. Thanks in advance.

Just to clarify, I have a Model Y Long Range AWD and a R1T Dual Standard, I’m getting a used Quad R1S Large and trading in the Tesla.

I can compare the model Y long range and the R1T Dual Standard, but that wouldn’t be very fair. Based on loss of range due to weather, I would say the R1T Dual Standard battery likely gets about the same amount of range as the “regular range” model Y (performance or RWD)

 

[mcarver316]

It really did! A question for those of us that would be everyday drivers (not much off roading, but occasionally do some towing (Uhaul or utility trailer)). What would be the recommended setup? I'm thinking dual motor but am unsure what battery pack (LFP vs Large).

I don't think you'd see much difference between the two for towing. The range theoretically could be cut down as much as half the range when towing, so practical difference (410 - 329 / 2) is only about 40 miles more with the max pack. If money is no object, go for the max pack.

This thread goes into some details:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ery-prior-logic-still-hold.38828/#post-702409

 

[DayTripping]

I would love to see them compare it to the Gen 1 quad as well in an unbiased manner.

 

[Pacernow]

bfilippo,

Thank you for your response.

 

[A_E]

I’m really curious to see what type of performance increase the Tri motor can get with optional tires like the PSS5 tires.

Will better tires move the needle on the acceleration times? Can the Tri motor get closer to 2.5-2.6 0-60? If so the quad seems like a non starter.

Anyone with a tri motor willing to test this?

 

[bmedfo1]

@OutofSpecKyle I loved the length and content and than you for putting this together. I can not understand anyone who complains about there being more content or info, but then has time to visit the forms to discuss after.

Anyway a few interesting things I noticed.

my Quad launch speculation:
Hopefully the timing of this video is a sign the Quad is right around the corner.

At one point I remember something like "in 6-9 months hopfully they can fix this" being shot 6 months ago I am speculating this is some sort of hint the gen 2 quad is coming soon. (regardless of if Kyle knows anything more than us)

Speculations on the Quad:
Kyle mentions the brakes more than once. Maybe Rivian listened and will give the quad upgraded brakes.

I agree with Kyle 100% that almost all of the preformance improvments on the Quad over the tri come from the tires. Adding power to the front is really not going to make much on road performance gains other than maybe highway speed pulls after traction and tourqe steer are not as relevant. Maybe Rivian will program in a bit more power to the rear for the quad during certain situation in order to keep it a step ahead of the Tri with a tire swap.

I am excited to see what the final quad product comes out as. with Rivian obviously now at least having more interest than gen 1 did in on road performance (Launch mode, competed in Pikes peak, performance tire options) I think that Rivian is going to nail the programning and this thing is going to be killer.

I am sure they are going to benchmark the cybertruck and make sure it will consistently outperform that.

A lot of comparisons to the Ioniq 5 n when I feel like these are apples to oranges. Maybe they are close in preformance but a well speced gen2 quad is going to cost as much as 2 Ioniq 5s. The R1s is also a true SUV vs while the Ioniq seems more like a hot hatch than an SUV at all.

I would have really loved to have seen a drag and Rolling race with data. specifically like Carwow is know for.

But clearly Rivian imposed so type of high 90s speed limit. I wonder if this was done to prevent OOS and others from benchmarking, insurance related, or if something was not production ready enough to handle more speed? (brakes?)

Kyle mentions @MountainPassPerformance who has said they are working on some brake hardware other than just the SS lines they have out. Hopefully they can get these before these out soon especially if rivin is not upgrading the brakes on the quad.

 

[cmsmith]

I don't think you'd see much difference between the two for towing. The range theoretically could be cut down as much as half the range when towing, so practical difference (410 - 329 / 2) is only about 40 miles more with the max pack. If money is no object, go for the max pack.

This thread goes into some details:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ery-prior-logic-still-hold.38828/#post-702409

Thanks for the thread. Now I'm even more curious, is the LFP battery not recommended for towing? Does anyone have an LFP and tow? From the videos, I know @OutofSpecKyle has the large pack.

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