Rivian’s 2027 Rivian R1S captain’s chairs option gives its three-row electric SUV a six-seat layout for the first time. Rivian described the second-row chairs as the most-requested feature from R1S customers, according to Ars Technica. Buyers keep the seven-seat bench option, but the new configuration makes a practical trade: one fewer passenger seat in exchange for a clear route to row three.
The model-year update also reorganizes R1S and R1T trim names, adds an Esker Silver paint finish in place of LA Silver, and gives the R1T a new 20-inch all-season wheel and tire. Reports describe it as a packaging update rather than a new technical generation, with core powertrain and range figures carried over.
What do captain’s chairs change on the 2027 Rivian R1S?
Captain’s chairs replace the R1S’s three-place second-row bench with two individual seats, creating a pass-through between them. That gives passengers a way to reach the third row without folding a seat, and provides space for long equipment such as skis or boards. The bench remains available for buyers who need seven-passenger capacity.
The seats are heated, fold flat and retain child-seat tie-downs, according to The Verge. They also have armrests that tuck into the seat and a push-release cupholder that can be concealed when unused. The mechanism is modest, but it addresses the tedious part of a three-row SUV: getting people and gear past the second row.
How much do the R1S captain’s chairs cost?
On the entry Premium trim, the seating option requires Rivian’s $2,500 Sound+Vision package. Ars Technica and The Verge report that Black Mountain captain’s chairs add another $1,500, making the effective added cost $4,000. Those reports put the Ocean Coast configuration at $4,500 total, including Sound+Vision.
One report from Electrek lists a $6,000 total for Ocean Coast Premium, conflicting with the two other published figures. Rivian’s pricing should therefore be checked in the configurator before ordering, particularly for that interior. The supplied reporting does not establish why the published totals differ.
What else changes for Rivian’s 2027 R1 lineup?
Rivian is replacing motor-count labels for most of the range. The former Dual and Tri designations become Premium and Performance, while Quad remains the name for the top tier. Ars Technica reported that starting prices remain $79,990 for the R1T and $83,990 for the R1S.
The reported specifications are also unchanged under the new names. Premium models retain 329 miles of range, with a larger battery raising the maximum to 410 miles for the R1S and 420 miles for the R1T. Performance continues with a tri-motor system rated at 850 horsepower and up to 371 miles of range, Ars Technica reported.
For R1T buyers, Rivian has added a 20-inch all-season wheel-and-tire choice aimed at a less compromised mix of road and off-road use. Esker Silver becomes the new standard silver paint. Neither change alters the central buyer decision on the R1S: choose the retained seven-seat bench, or pay for the six-seat layout and its easier third-row access.
This story draws on original reporting from Ars Technica.
