Rivian has officially opened customer orders for its highly anticipated 2026 Quad-Motor electric truck and SUV models, marking the introduction of the automaker’s most powerful lineup yet. Although the headline-grabbing numbers—1,025 horsepower, 1,198 pound-feet of torque, and a blistering zero-to-60 mph sprint time of under 2.5 seconds—are certainly impressive, Rivian executives stress that the most notable advancements lie in the vehicle’s sophisticated software and control systems.
“The quad configuration represents the absolute high point of what Rivian has created thus far,” explained Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s head of software. By bringing the production of motors fully in-house, Rivian has been able to take complete control of hardware and software integration, something Bensaid emphasizes as crucial to achieving superior performance. The second-generation quad-motor vehicles feature not only increased range—approximately 374 miles per charge—but also several innovative technologies designed to leverage the capabilities of four independently-controllable motors.
Certain to capture social media buzz is the newly introduced “kick turn” feature. Using advanced torque-vectoring software, kick turn adjusts power distribution to allow either the truck or SUV to spin around its center axis while moving at speeds below 20 miles per hour. The result is a smooth and dramatic pivot maneuver performed without any steering wheel adjustments by the driver. Rivian developed kick turn specifically to assist off-road enthusiasts by eliminating painstaking multi-point turns on tight trails. During testing this past June, the feature performed impressively, smoothly redirecting the vehicle’s rear-end even over challenging terrain.
This capability is reminiscent—but far more practical—than Rivian’s previously publicized but never released “tank turn,” a feature that would spin the vehicle completely in place. That concept was abandoned after CEO RJ Scaringe voiced concerns over possible environmental harm from repeated stationary spinning. Kick turn, by contrast, is specifically designed with built-in software safety measures to avoid excessive environmental impact. The vehicle software ensures that the feature activates only below a set speed threshold and exclusively on dirt surfaces.
The introduction of the 2026 quad-motor design marks Rivian’s largest refresh to date, an extensive second-generation overhaul first unveiled during a Washington press event in May 2024. Virtually every significant component of the flagship R1 platform was redesigned, from battery packs and suspension systems to internal electronics, motors, seating, and sensor arrays. Importantly, these enhancements and strengthened in-house manufacturing capacities were strategically implemented to improve efficiencies, lower costs, and boost sales.
Rivian rolled out new dual-motor and performance dual-motor versions shortly after that initial launch, quickly following with tri-motor configurations by August 2024. The development of quad-motor versions took another year, largely because engineers required time to perfect the complex software integration necessary for real-time torque adjustments, vehicle dynamics control, and advanced safety algorithms. These vehicles are now on sale starting at prices ranging between $115,990 and $125,990, depending on trim, with deliveries beginning as soon as this week.
Advanced software systems are integral to achieving the quad motor’s outstanding performance characteristics. According to Bensaid, the core of this technology lies in Rivian’s sophisticated torque vectoring software, combined with a comprehensive sensor suite. Specialized sensors around the vehicles constantly monitor yaw rates, steering inputs, and feedback from each individual wheel, allowing instantaneous control adjustments for maximum grip, stability, and handling precision.
Among the other innovative features Rivian has developed for these vehicles is the Rivian Adventure Department (RAD) Tuner—a sophisticated interface allowing drivers extensive customization of performance and driving dynamics directly from the vehicle’s central touchscreen. Born out of an experimental engineering panel that Rivian’s test drivers once secretly accessed during testing phases, RAD Tuner now enables avid drivers to easily adjust balance, torque distribution, stability settings, and ride height. Users can select from unique presets or craft entirely personal driving profiles, creating a unique and tailored driving experience.
Additionally, the 2026 Rivian models incorporate an advanced “Launch Mode” designed to enable rapid acceleration. When activated, the Launch Cam feature records exterior video footage during high-speed acceleration runs, automatically embedding detailed speed and distance data overlays provided by the vehicle’s proprietary software. Users can view these videos in the vehicle or export them via USB to share.
Charging infrastructure compatibility is another noteworthy upgrade. Rivian opted to equip new models with the North American Charging Standard (NACS), originally developed and popularized by Tesla. This standard provides 2026 R1T and R1S drivers direct access to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network. Each quad-motor vehicle also comes with a free Combined Charging System (CCS) adapter, allowing users flexibility in accessing chargers across various other existing networks. Furthermore, updates to Rivian’s onboard trip-planning software now intuitively inform drivers when selecting stations that no adapter is necessary.
With the launch of these second-generation quad-motor vehicles, Rivian aims to maintain market momentum at a pivotal moment for the company. Its more affordable R2 platform won’t see production until early 2026, making the high-performance quad-motor trucks and SUVs essential to steady sales and customer enthusiasm in the meantime. Rivian has bet significantly on their software and hardware integration capabilities to capture attention and ownership in the growing premium electric off-road vehicle segment.
