Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor: 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor stays the cheaper car to own — about $79,543 vs $96,875 for the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack), a $17,332 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsRivian R1T Dual-Motor · $79,543 total · $17,332 less than the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack)
Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Rivian R1S Dual-Motor | Electric · Rivian R1T Dual-Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $52,122 (54%) | $40,542 (51%) |
| Charging / fuel | $6,538 (7%) | $8,009 (10%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$785) | 12% (~$961) |
| Maintenance | $6,300 (7%) | $3,660 (5%) |
| Insurance | $17,000 (18%) | $13,750 (17%) |
| Financing interest | $13,915 (14%) | $12,582 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (1%) | $1,000 (1%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $96,875 | $79,543 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor is decisively cheaper: $17,332 over 5 years, about 22% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $52,122 on the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) against $40,542 on the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, an $11,580 gap in the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor's favor — the largest slice of the $17,332 verdict. On the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack), depreciation alone is 54% of its $96,875 total; on the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor it is 51% of $79,543.
- Insurance: Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) $17,000, Rivian R1T Dual-Motor $13,750 — $3,250 more in the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor's favor.
- Maintenance: Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) $6,300, Rivian R1T Dual-Motor $3,660 — $2,640 more in the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor's favor.
- Energy: $6,538 of charging for the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs $8,009 of charging for the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor — $1,471 the other way, to the Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack).
The Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) gets $1,471 back on energy, but against a $17,332 verdict that is loose change. The Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) starts $7,090 behind the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $17,332. The Rivian R1T Dual-Motor is ahead by $6,018 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $17,332 by year 5.
Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, side by side
Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack)
- 5-yr total cost
- $96,875
- Cost / month
- $1,615
- Cost / mile
- $1.62
- MSRP
- $76,990
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 40 kWh/100mi
Rivian R1T Dual-Motor
- 5-yr total cost
- $79,543
- Cost / month
- $1,326
- Cost / mile
- $1.33
- MSRP
- $69,900
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 49 kWh/100mi
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack) vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.