The California Dune Edition is ready to rip through the sand and look good doing it.
Rivian is taking a page out of the old-school automaker playbook with its first-ever themed special edition, the California Dune Edition. Based on the Tri-Motor R1T and R1S, this limited-edition package is more than just a fancy paint job—though, to be fair, the new California Dune color is a pretty slick take on desert tan. Rivian says it’s inspired by California’s iconic sand dunes, and it’s paired with black exterior accents for a tougher look.
But this isn’t just about aesthetics. The California Dune Edition comes loaded with off-road-friendly upgrades. It rides on exclusive 20-inch rally-style wheels, available in black or a matching tan finish, specifically designed to prevent sand from getting jammed into the spokes. The All-Terrain Package is included as standard, meaning full-length skid plates, all-terrain tires, a spare tire, and an on-board air compressor are all part of the deal. And if you happen to get stuck in deep sand, no worries—Rivian throws in a pair of MAXTRAX recovery boards mounted on roof crossbars.
Inside, Rivian swaps out its plush Ascend interior for a more rugged Adventure interior, which ditches some of the fancier features in favor of durability. The two-tone Black Mountain and Sandstone theme extends to the seats and dashboard, with dark ash wood trim adding a bit of contrast. The floors get Chilewich mats and a new easy-to-clean material—because, let’s be honest, sand gets everywhere.
Performance-wise, nothing changes under the hood—or, well, under the floor, since this is an EV. The Tri-Motor setup still produces a ridiculous 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, giving it all-wheel drive and the ability to blast from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. Not bad for a truck or SUV that can handle serious off-road terrain. Thanks to the Max battery pack, range is an EPA-estimated 329 miles, which should be plenty for a day of dune bashing before heading back to civilization.
The R1T version gets an extra treat—a powered tonneau cover that’s been redesigned for easier maintenance and quieter operation. This should be good news for anyone who found the old one a bit finicky.
Rivian hasn’t said exactly how many California Dune Editions it plans to build, but given the industry trend, expect them to disappear quickly before another limited-run variant takes its place. Pricing starts at $99,900 for the R1T and $105,900 for the R1S, making them slightly more expensive than the regular Tri-Motor versions but packed with extra gear.
If you’re itching to see one in the flesh, Rivian will have them on display at SXSW in Austin from March 7-15, or you can check Rivian’s website to see if a demo model is coming to a city near you. Orders are open now, with deliveries estimated between 1-6 weeks—assuming you can get your hands on one before they’re gone.
Gallery: 2025 Rivian R1T/R1S California Dune Edition
