Rivian launches 2026 Quad-Motor pickups and SUVs with wild new software features
Rivian just started accepting orders for its 2026 quad-motor pickup truck and SUV. These beasts pack 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. That power lets them hit 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds.
The catch? The software is where things get really interesting. Rivian’s head of software, Wassym Bensaid, said the quad “is really the pinnacle of everything that Rivian has done so far.” 
“Now that we have full in-house motors, we have full control on the stack, hardware and software.”
The quad-motor’s software updates drop this September. One standout new trick: kick turn. It lets the vehicle spin on a dime by adjusting power to the inside wheels. Tested on dirt trails below 20 mph, kick turn makes tight off-road turns a breeze—no steering wheel moves needed.
Kick turn replaces the old “tank turn” idea, which was scrapped to avoid damaging trails. To prevent abuse, Rivian limits kick turn to low speeds and off-road surfaces only.
The quad-motor packs a huge redesign behind the scenes. The 2nd-gen model rebuilds everything from batteries and suspension to electrical systems and user interfaces. Deliveries began for dual- and tri-motor trims earlier this year. The quad took an extra year to nail software, motors, and thermal systems.
Software is key to Rivian’s plan. The R2 lineup won’t hit production until 2026, so the quad-motor is the flagship to drive sales now. Pricing starts at $115,990 for the SUV and $125,990 for the truck.
The advanced software constantly analyzes data like yaw rate and steering angles to distribute torque precisely to each wheel. Bensaid explained the complex math behind it:
“Think about it as super complex mathematical processing behind the scenes to allow real-time usage and decisions based on information from the four wheels and then the four motors, while obviously keeping safety guards in place.”
Rivian’s “RAD Tuner” software lets drivers customize driving modes, tweaking torque balance, stability, and ride height through the touchscreen. Bensaid called it “technically extremely, extremely difficult” to do these real-time changes.
There’s also a new launch cam feature that records exterior video during Launch Mode—a sprint from zero to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds. Drivers get speed and distance overlays and can export clips to mobile devices.
The 2026 models embrace Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), letting Rivian owners tap Tesla Superchargers. They also get a free CCS DC adapter for other networks.
Rivian updated the trip planner to show when NACS stations don’t require adapters.
The 2026 Rivian quad-motor lineup brings raw power and clever software to push harder off-road and on-road — and starts shipping as soon as next week.
