For years, SUVs weren’t typically associated with high performance or fun driving dynamics on the road. That began to change when Porsche introduced the game-changing Cayenne, paving the way for other fast SUVs. Now, Rivian has set a new standard with the 2025 Rivian R1S, boasting an incredible 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque from its quad-motor configuration. According to an independent test, the R1S has become one of the fastest production vehicles, not just SUVs, ever made.
The test showed the R1S accelerating from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.6 seconds, matching the speed of the latest C8 Corvette Z06 and E-Ray. This impressive performance surpasses renowned supercars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the McLaren 750S, and the Lamborghini Huracan STO. While those are all specialized sports cars, how does the R1S fare against other high-performance SUVs?
The answer: it dominates. Competitors like the BMW XM, Lamborghini Urus Performante, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, and Aston Martin DBX 707 can’t keep up with the R1S, according to Motor Trend. In the quarter-mile, the R1S clocks in at 10.4 seconds, with a top speed of 128.2 mph (206.3 km/h). That’s right—this 6,824-pound (3,095 kg) SUV is a legitimate 10-second car. Imagine if Brian O’Connor had shown up in the first Fast & Furious driving one of these.
While it’s not designed to carve canyons like a Lotus, the Rivian R1S can off-road in ways that none of its rivals can. Some might argue that for an SUV to be truly “ultimate,” it needs a long towing range. Perhaps that will be important when the vast majority of SUV owners actually tow regularly, but for now, the Rivian R1S seems to be the king of super SUVs on the market today.
Curious how it compares to the Tesla Model X Plaid? Motor Trend hasn’t tested it yet, though Tesla claims the Model X Plaid is faster, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 9.9 seconds. We’ll be sure to report back when independent tests confirm these figures.
