Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The new Lucid Gravity and recently updated Rivian R1S are both premium, three‑row electric SUVs that can replace a luxury family hauler. The Gravity is a long-range luxury SUV, with three-row seating and a cabin that's been engineered to maximize space.It's geared towards families who want premium comfort, fast charging, and serious range in one package while the R1S is a three-row electric SUV that blends family utility with real adventure capability, and it can be configured with enough range to handle long road trips with confidence. It stands out for its roomy cabin, strong performance, and off-road hardware, which makes it feel more versatile than a typical luxury EV.These two startups both began selling vehicles in 2021, so they're still pretty new to the game. It's astounding how quickly they've both grown, especially in light of the fact that they are premium brands whose products start around $80,000. Each of them builds a strong case for not going with more established brands, but they deliver their premium EV goods in very different ways. Here's a closer look at both models. Initial units of the R1S were delivered starting in 2022, and the Gravity is the comparative newcomer, issuing first deliveries in late 2024/early 2025. So, how do these two stack up?Range and ChargingLucid GravityLucidLucid has engineered the Gravity to be the range benchmark in this segment, with Grand Touring models targeting up to about 450 miles of EPA range. Lucid's 926V electrical architecture gives the Gravity a clear edge in DC fast‑charging speed, with peak rates reaching around 300–400 kW and the ability to add roughly 200+ miles in less than 30 minutes, which significantly reduces downtime on long‑distance drives. The Gravity supports NACS (North American Charging Standard), providing access to Tesla's Supercharger network.Rivian R1SRivianRivian's updated R1S platform supports charges at peak DC fast-charging speeds up to 210–215 kW, adding roughly 130–150 miles of range in 15 to 20 minutes, but it doesn't quite match Gravity's outright speed or efficiency. Rivian's R1S can be specced to impressive numbers, with EPA estimates up to 410 miles on the Dual Motor with Max pack, but the Standard Pack offers up to 290 miles and the Large pack delivers up to 340 miles. The R1S also support NACS charging, so the differentiator isn't where you can charge so much as how quickly you get back on the road.Comfort, Space, and PracticalityAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Gravity is the more capacious three‑row, offering exceptional interior room with 42.6 inches of second-row legroom and 34 inches of third-row legroom. It's bigger than most three-row SUVs regardless of price and powertrain. The Lucid Gravity electric SUV delivers exceptional cargo versatility, offering up to 120 cubic feet of total storage with the rear seats folded. Its compact electric drivetrain frees up interior space, providing 23.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, plus an additional 8.1 cubic-foot front trunk. When it comes to luxury digs, the Gravity wins with its more premium cabin, a radically huge glass‑roof, and a flat skateboard floor that helps third‑row comfort.RivianIn cabin layout terms, the R1S interior is more straightforward and functional, one that points to its more rugged and family-friendly leanings. It boasts a well‑thought‑out mix of storage, real‑world practicality, and adventure‑oriented features like the now famous Rivian gear tunnel that allows you to store longer items (and dirtier/smellier ones), keeping them out of the occupant space. That occupant space translates to 36.6 inches of legroom in row two and 32.7 inches of third row legroom, quite a bit less than the Gravity.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Tech and User ExperienceLucidLucid easily nails the rolling tech lounge look and feel, centering the Gravity's cabin around a sweeping, 34" high‑resolution curved "Glass Cockpit" display and a smaller (but still large 12.6") central touchscreen. That screen doesn't retract like the version in the Lucid Air sedan, but it doesn't lose anything in the process. The squircle steering wheel that allows an untrammeled view of the Glass Cockpit display is one of the best around. The Gravity's software experience is still evolving, but the interface is visually striking and matches the futuristic exterior design language. You sacrifice some functionality because of the Gravity's reliance on touchscreen controls.In terms of driver assistance, the Gravity benefits from DreamDrive 2 Pro with Highway Assist that supports supervised, hands-free steering, acceleration, and braking, a well as automated lane changes. The Gravity is largely a grand touring SUV rather than an off-roader. You can opt for the adaptive three-chamber air suspension by getting the Dynamic Handling Package. It automatically adjusts the ride height and damping based on speed and drive mode, providing between 5.2 inches (aerodynamic low) to 9.3 inches (high clearance), but it's not as capable as the R1S when things get rough. The package also adds rear-wheel steering for enhanced manueverability and low speeds and increase stability at high speeds.RivianThe R1S uses dual screens, but the visual drama isn't as striking due to the smaller sizes. There's a rather industry normal 12.3" instrument display and a larger 15.6" center infotainment toushcreen. Like the Gravity, the R1S depends heavily on touchscreen controls rather than physical buttons and knobs, making the driving experience less intuitive but on par with premium EVs whose focus is on tech and minimalism.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe driver assist tech provides highway assist and adaptive cruise control for its standard Driver+ tech, but you can upgrade the facelifted R1S with Autonomy+ that provides Universal Hands-Free driving and active learning through Rivian's AI model (11 cameras, five radars, and predictive AI) that performs lane changes on command and adjusts to drive styles. The brand's focus on adventure translates to an available off-road package that provides 14.9" of ground clearance, underbody plates, 20" all-terrain tires, and adaptive suspension.Final ThoughtsThe Lucid Gravity and Rivian R1S are both seriously impressive premium family SUVs with very different flavors of execution. The Gravity is the more impressive technical achievement, with class-leading range, faster charging, and a more expansive interior space, while the R1S feels like the smarter all-around family choice thanks to its usability, off-road chops, and more proven everyday functionality. It also looks more like a normal SUV than the rather unique look of the Gravity. For buyers who want the most advanced long-range electric SUV, the Gravity wins; for those who want the one that fits real daily life a little better, the R1S edges out.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. 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