MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 5 EPA ratings of the R1S since 2022 it has averaged 79.8 MPGe, and the 2026 model trails the 99.7 MPGe average of other electric cars rated 2024–2026. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $950.
Every Rivian R1S version, compared
The Rivian R1S was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 86.4 / 73.8 | 2022–2026 | $861 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the BMW iX is rated 100.7 MPGe, the Kia EV9 89 MPGe and the Jeep Wagoneer S 93 MPGe, next to 85 MPGe for the 2026 R1S. The R1S costs the most of them to run: $125 a year more than the BMW iX.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 39.6 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.067 |
| Charging per year | $808 |
| Charging over five years | $4,040 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | +$118 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Rivian R1S does better in town than out of it: 94 in the city against 77 on the highway, $162 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 94 MPGe | $732 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 77 MPGe | $894 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -17 MPGe (-18%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the R1S changed over the years
The R1S peaked in 2026 at 85 MPGe (94 city, 77 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 69 — 16 MPGe apart, or $188 a year in charging between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2023: 69 to 78 MPGe.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 94 / 77 | 1 | $808 | |
| 2025 | 94 / 77 | 1 | $808 | |
| 2024 | 89 / 76 | 1 | $838 | |
| 2023 | 82 / 74 | 1 | $881 | |
| 2022 | 73 / 65 | 1 | $996 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Rivian R1S — 1 engine across 2022–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $950. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Rivian R1S rated at?
85 MPGe combined, 94 city and 77 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2022 the R1S has averaged 79.8 MPGe.
Is the 2026 R1S more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 85 against 85 MPGe combined.
Which R1S year has the best efficiency?
The 2026, at 85 MPGe combined (94 city, 77 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the R1S get better efficiency than the BMW iX?
No: 85 MPGe for the 2026 R1S against 100.7 for the 2027 BMW iX, about $125 a year more to run.
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