Is The 2022 Rivian R1T, The So-Called Tesla Killer, Any Good? Here's What The Reviews Say
The 2022 Rivian R1T is the first mass-market electric pickup truck available, leapfrogging the Ford F-150 Lightning and the massively hyped Tesla Cybertruck. At $67,500, you can order one today and the first production models have been rolling off the assembly line. Here's what the reviews are saying about this so-called Tesla killer.
It's A Pretty Powerful Truck
The power makes it a sprinter on the highway, while the real-time torque vectoring left us wanting to carve up a canyon road whenever possible.
The front drive unit packs 415 hp (310 kW) and 413 lb-ft (560 Nm); the rear drive unit is much torquier at 420 hp (313 kW) and 495 lb-ft (671 Nm). The combined output of an EV is always more complicated than just adding all the numbers together, since it's more often a factor of how much power the battery can supply; Rivian quotes "800+ hp" (597+ kW) and 900+ lb-ft (1,220+ Nm) combined.
Rivian quotes a tow rating of up to 11,000 pounds—far greater than any other truck its size — but range is likely cut significantly, perhaps in half, when doing so. Payload is cited as 1,760 pounds, above average for a truck of this size.
[Forbes]
But Don't Try Hooking Up A Snow Plow To It
Laden with vegan-leather seats and an all-glass panoramic roof, the R1T is no workhorse. Its front end will not sustain a snow plow; its 16-inch center touchscreen should not get wet and won't respond to input from gloved fingers; and its stiff, not-very-adjustable seats lack the comfort of the premium work rigs that double as offices and conference rooms for contractors on the move.
The Design Inspires Joy
Most off-road trucks today put on a stern, glaring look that feels completely inappropriate to vehicles that are supposed to be about a good time. The R1T is the antithesis of this, peeping over ridges with benevolent eyes that evokes Big Hero 6's Baymax, its grille completing a face that can only be described as geekin'. I adore the subtle aero blades in its fender flares, the cleverly hidden spoiler at the back of the cab, visible only from below, and the simple bar for a rear taillight. It reminds me of Geordi La Forge; of an optimistic sci-fi future, and of boldly going where none have gone before.
It's Pretty Big
The R1T is roughly the same size as a Jeep Gladiator, so it's large for a midsize pickup and has a roomier cabin than a Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma that's impeccably dressed more along the line of a Land Rover. The interior of the Launch Edition is trimmed with reclaimed wood inserts, top shelf vegan leather and houses a digital instrument cluster and large touchscreen display that controls just about everything.
[Fox News]
The Range Isn't Too Bad
As with all EVs, range drops quickly as the pounds and aerodynamic drag pile on. Hopefully the campground or boat launch is not far away and offers DC fast-charging. To its credit, Rivian is doing its part by building out its own charging network, with charging stations that promise to add 140 miles of range in about 20 minutes. The standard 21-inch all-season tires are optimized for fuel economy, helping the R1T eke out 314 miles of EPA range.
It's Stunningly Quiet
The motoring world is still getting used to the idea that EVs are not just capable of off-roading but may in fact be better suited to explore nature when the only sound the vehicle emits is the crunch of tires on the ground.
Roll down the windows, and the first thing we noticed during the R1T's ascent is the absolute absence of noise. Squirrels gathered to witness the moment; blue jays cheered on our progress. Later on, at the peak of the Continental Divide, we even encountered a family of mountain goats, nonplussed by our coterie of near-silent trucks.
It's Impressively Quick
Rivian's truck weighs around 6,000 pounds but is faster and more nimble than any car I've driven. The R1T has four motors — one for each wheel — that can easily pin your head to the headrest if you really floor it. It's a lot of fun (even for someone like me who's been accused of driving like a grandma), but it also serves a practical purpose; it's a breeze to shoot up on-ramps or pass combustion-powered cars on the highway.
On the highway, the R1T drives unlike any other pickup. First off, it's ridiculously quick for its size, especially in Sport mode. The R1T takes off from a stop with epic force, effortlessly makes passes at highway speeds, and always seems to have more power on tap. Rivian quotes a blistering 0-to-60-mph time of three seconds.
The Interior Is Comfy
The seats were super comfortable, and the trim was just the right mix of sporty-spartan and rugged luxury.
[Electrek]
It's Got A Cool Glamping Feature
The Camp Kitchen is a culinary wonder that sits in the Gear Tunnel and deploys in 30 seconds. It includes a two-burner induction cooktop, a four-gallon water tank and sink, and a 30-piece kitchen set from the Japanese luxury outdoor adventure brand Snow Peak. In cleverly designed drawers, the Kitchen includes plates, bowls, cups, prep knives, a titanium set of knives, forks, and spoons, spatulas, tongs, a corkscrew, a can opener, and even a grinder, drip, and water kettle to whip up some campsite coffee.
[Inverse]
The Center Stack Does Need Some Work
While the center stack is cool, I think this is where Rivian needs to do the most work. The maps are often slow to respond to finger swipes and on more than one occasion, the driving mode wasn't switchable. This is all software, so I think it is easily attainable, but work does need to be done here. I'd also like to see CarPlay/Android Auto as an option, but I realize that is extremely unlikely to happen. If not having Apple or Android in the vehicle is a nonstarter for you, maybe get an iPad mount and an AUX cable?
[Electrek]
Rivian's infotainment does not feature Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity, which seems like a bit of a miss. Theoretically, a future update could add these features later, but there are currently no plans to do so. However, standard 4G LTE connectivity brings apps like Amazon Alexa, Spotify and TuneIn to the dashboard, and you can search for charging stations, as well.
[CNET]
But Dang, It Is Surprisingly Good At Off-Road
You don't have to worry about smashing a differential or snagging a crucial chassis component on a rock. You can go around a hairpin turn on the trail without fighting through axle hop caused by a locked differential. You never have to wonder whether to downshift for power or stay in a higher gear for gentler throttle response. All you do is pick your line, feather the accelerator, and crawl to the next obstacle.
TL;DR
We're still wondering how the most capable off-road vehicle we've ever driven can perform so well on pavement simply by inflating the tires a bit and tapping the Sport driving mode tab. Is it witchcraft or just great engineering?
