Rivian refreshes its 2027 R1 lineup with new trims and a big seating upgrade

Captain's chairs just landed on the Rivian R1S, and it is about time!

Rivian just gave its flagship R1S and R1T a refresh for 2027, and the headline update is one owners have wanted for years. The R1S finally gets optional second-row captain's chairs, while the entire R1 lineup adopts a simpler trim structure and adds a new paint color. Pricing stays put too, with the R1S starting at $83,990 and the R1T at $79,990.

The captain's chairs everyone asked for

BYD just dropped a $16,000 car into an EV price war America can’t compete with

China keeps dropping $16,000 EVs while America struggles to crack $30,000

China's affordable EV market is getting ridiculously good in terms of value. Barely a day after Volkswagen opened preorders for its $17,175 ID. Era 5S plug-in hybrid, BYD has launched the 2027 Seal 06 with prices starting even lower.

The DM-i plug-in hybrid begins at 99,900 yuan, or around $14,700, while the fully electric Seal 06 starts at 109,900 yuan, roughly $16,100. In comparison, America’s cheapest EV, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, starts at $28,995. That makes the Bolt almost $13,000 more expensive than the entry-level Seal 06 EV.

Volkswagen’s $17,000 plug-in hybrid makes America’s cheapest EV look overpriced

Volkswagen’s $17,000 ID. Era 5S is insanely good value

Volkswagen's latest hybrid car is impressive on paper, but the real shocker is its price tag. SAIC Volkswagen has opened preorders for the ID. Era 5S in China with a limited-time starting price of 115,900 yuan, or roughly $17,175. Its regular Pure trim costs around $17,770, while even the range-topping Max comes in at just $22,215.

To put that into perspective, Chevrolet lists the 2027 Bolt at an MSRP of $28,995, making it America’s cheapest EV. Nissan’s 2026 Leaf starts at $29,990 before destination charges. So the cheapest Bolt is around $11,820 above Volkswagen’s introductory ID. Era 5S price.