R1S Captain's Chairs
Rivian introduces 2027 R1S and R1T updates, including new captain's chairs and simplified trim levels
Key Points
R1S now offers second-row captain’s chairs with heated seats, individual armrests that stow flush, and a push-to-release cup holder. The chairs slide on rails, tilt to help access the third row, and can fold flat to create a continuous, flat cargo area; a pass-through between the second and third rows even allows longer items like skis to pass through without moving seats.
Six-seat configuration pricing details: the captain’s chairs are a $1,500 option but require bundling with the $2,500–$4,500 Sound & Vision package, effectively pushing the total to about $4,000–$6,000 depending on trim and interior color (for example Ocean Coast interior can add around $2,000 on top of the baseline).
The lineup is being simplified by dropping motor-count naming in favor of lifestyle-oriented trims: Premium for dual-motor, Performance for tri-motor, and Quad at the top, aligning the R1S/R1T with Rivian’s R2 structure.
EskER Silver becomes the no-cost paint option replacing LA Silver across both models, and Rivian introduces a new 20-inch Adventure All-Season wheel for the R1T as standard equipment, alongside broader paint/trim updates and a refreshed trim structure.
Rivian has answered its customers' loudest request: second-row captain's chairs are coming to the 2027 R1S. The seats are a $1,500 add-on and make a six-seat layout available across all trims, according to Motor1 and Ars Technica.
The captain's chairs are just one part of a broader 2027 refresh. Rivian is also simplifying its trim names, swapping its standard paint color, and adding a new wheel option — changes designed to bring the R1 line closer in structure to the smaller, more affordable R2, InsideEVs reported.
Captain's Chairs Slide, Tilt, and Fold Flat
The new second-row seats do more than just split the bench. Each chair slides on rails and tilts forward to help passengers reach the third row, CarBuzz reported. They also fold completely flat, creating a smooth, continuous cargo floor. Individual armrests stow flush so they don't get in the way, and a push-to-release cup holder keeps things tidy.
There's also a pass-through gap between the second and third rows. That means long items — like skis or lumber — can slide all the way through without moving any seats. The Drive noted the chairs keep heated seats as a standard feature, so comfort isn't traded away for the extra flexibility.
Six-Seat Option Can Cost Up to $6,000 Extra
The $1,500 captain's chair option sounds simple, but the real cost is higher. Rivian requires buyers to bundle the seats with its Sound & Vision package, which runs between $2,500 and $4,500 depending on the trim. That pushes the total upgrade cost to roughly $4,000 to $6,000, according to Ars Technica.
Interior color adds more to the bill. Choosing the Ocean Coast interior tacks on about $2,000 on top of everything else. Buyers who want the base bench seat — and seven seats total — can still get that configuration. The six-seat layout is optional, not a replacement.
Rivian Drops Motor-Count Names for Lifestyle Trims
Rivian is also cleaning up how it names its vehicles. Gone are the motor-count labels that told buyers how many motors were under the hood. In their place come three trim tiers: Premium for the dual-motor setup, Performance for tri-motor, and Quad at the top, Motor1 reported. The new structure matches what Rivian already uses for the R2.
The goal is simpler cross-shopping. A buyer looking at an R2 and an R1S can now compare tiers with the same language. Power levels, range, and core features stay largely the same — the names are what changed.
Esker Silver Paint and a New R1T Wheel Round Out the Changes
On the outside, Rivian is swapping its no-cost paint option. Esker Silver replaces LA Silver as the standard color on both the R1S and R1T. The change applies across all trims at no extra charge, according to InsideEVs.
The R1T also gets a new 20-inch Adventure All-Season wheel as standard equipment. Rivian is rolling out broader paint and trim updates alongside these changes. Together, the 2027 updates reflect a company pushing to streamline its lineup while giving buyers more flexibility inside the cabin.
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