The perception of SUVs as practical home haulers and mundane grocery stores has developed dramatically. Yes, they can still carry up to seven adults, but today’s SUVs can also take more power and be more fun. The SUV now boasts impressive performance, driven by a surge in powerful engines and cutting-edge electric powertrains. It even takes some SUVs directly into what was once unique to traditional supercars.
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The 2025 Rivian R1S TRI ranks No. 1 among the most powerful SUVs in the United States – Chinese automaker Byd’s 1200-horsepower Yangwang U8 is not for sale in the United States, and as the name implies, the all-electric R1S TRI revolves around a power building that includes three motors, including three electric motors. There is a front motor with two at the rear, driving the rear axle.
The in-house built electric motor is backed by a battery pack of up to 149 kWh (maximum package), with a combined output of 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of torque. This is more powerful than gas-powered performance SUVs, such as the 697-horsepower Aston Martin DBX 707, the 715-horsepower Ferrari Purosangue and the 789-horsepower Lamborghini Urus SE.
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2025 Rivian R1S TRI is a Performance Beast
One of the defining features of today’s electric vehicles is how much weight is added to the battery and electric hangar. With a curb weight of over 6,800 pounds (3,084 kg), the Rivian R1S TRI is no exception. However, it is impressive that the electric SUV can eliminate weight in a straight line.
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The R1S TRI has introduced over 1,000 feet of torque, with almost all starting at 0 rpm. Your launch time is great and you can expect to reach 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The Rivian R1S TRI will also explode more than a quarter-mile marker at 124 mph (200 kph) in 11.1 seconds. That’s faster than performance cars like the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage, McLaren Artura Spider and Ferrari Roma. This is really impressive for a vehicle that weighs almost twice as much as Rome.
Despite its outstanding performance, the Rivian R1S TRI still has all the elements that make it a practical family car. There are third row seats, spacious cargo space and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAs), which are perfect for modern driving.
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Rivian hasn’t finished yet
As impressive as the Rivian R1S TRI, the California-based automaker still has plans for a flagship SUV. The order book is already open to use a more powerful R1 trim, which will be available later this year.
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Called the R1s Quad, this top-tier three-tier model has four electric motors, each with one. The R1s Quad produced 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of punch, enough to make it one of the most powerful production SUVs ever. With boot controls, a new feature has been added as part of the second-generation R1S software upgrade, the R1S Quad will rise to 60 mph in an annoying 2.6 seconds.
Forget about competitors such as BMW XM, Mercedes-AMG GLS63, or Cayenne Turbo. The R1S’ performance has brought supercars like the McLaren 750, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and more. Electric cars like the R1 not only redefine what expectations the SUV can achieve, but also lays the foundation for more extreme performance, driven by the continued development of automotive technology.
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