The 2025 Rivian R1S has achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), marking it as the safest large SUV on American roads. This is an improvement over the previous iteration, which received a Top Safety Pick rating.
The 2025 R1S earned “Good” ratings across all subcategories in the IIHS crash tests, with the exception of headlights, which were rated as “Acceptable.” The vehicle performed particularly well in the updated Moderate overlap front crash test, receiving “Good” ratings in all areas except for driver leg and foot protection, which was rated as “Adequate.” In this test, a vehicle is driven into a stationary barrier at 40 miles per hour with 40% of the front of the vehicle overlapping the barrier. Dummies in the driver and left rear seats help measure the impact forces during the test.
IIHS noted that Rivian made modifications to the front body structure and rear seats to enhance occupant safety in frontal crashes. However, the headlights were rated worse than the previous model due to some glare from the low beams, despite good visibility with both low and high beams.
To receive a Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must score well in several key safety tests, including a “Good” rating in the small overlap front test, an “Acceptable” or “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test, a “Good” rating in the side test, and favorable results in pedestrian crash prevention and headlights testing. In total, 48 vehicles received the Top Safety Pick+ designation this year, including the 2024 Rivian R1T, Tesla Model Y, and Genesis Electrified GV70.