2022 Rivian R1T
Overview
The futuristic R1T is an all-electric pickup truck from new American startup brand Rivian, boasting 314 miles of estimated driving range and lightning-quick acceleration, enough to earn it an Editors’ Choice award. At 215.6 inches long, the crew-cab-only R1T splits the difference in size between mid-size pickups such as the Ford Ranger and full-size trucks such as the Ram 1500. The R1T is the first electric pickup truck to make it to production in what seems to be a burgeoning market, soon to include the Ford F-150 Lightning and the GMC Hummer EV SUT. The truck will be sold directly to consumers, although Rivian says that it also will set up a network of service centers and Tesla-like stores.
What’s New for 2022?
For the R1T’s first-ever model year, it’ll only be offered with a quad-motor setup and a 128.9-kWh “Large” battery. A smaller standard battery and a larger “Max” battery are expected to enter production next year, along with a new dual-motor option that’s said to generate more than 600 horsepower. Rivian also substantially increased the price of its initial offerings for 2022, a move that originally affected folks who made reservations before March 1, 2022, but was later rescinded after reported backlash.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
A Launch Edition was offered first, but it’s long been sold out, leaving the well-equipped Adventure model as the only option for the 2022 model year. A less expensive Explore trim level, with the choice of two or four motors and up to three different battery-pack sizes, will be available for 2023. Joining the current 128.9-kWh battery will be a smaller standard pack that only comes on dual-motor models and a larger “Max” battery that’s only offered with the quad-motor setup.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
All-wheel drive is standard on the 2022 R1T but it uses a different arrangement than the Tesla Model X: Each wheel of the Rivian is powered by its own electric motor. The R1T boasts up to 835 horsepower and blasted to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds at our test track. That makes it the fastest pickup truck we’ve tested to date. Adjustable air suspension will be standard at launch and can adjust the clearance height from eight to 14 inches. While every version of the R1T currently features an electric motor at each wheel, a dual-motor version will eventually be offered, too. Along with all-wheel drive, it’ll generate over 600 horsepower. The quad-motor setup allows the R1T to do what Rivian calls a Tank Turn, which sets the electric motors to rotate the left wheels in the opposite direction of the right ones to spin the truck on its axis. During our first test drive, which we conducted in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, displayed the R1T’s impressive off-road capabilities as well as its punchy on-road performance.
More on the R1T Pickup Truck
Towing and Payload Capacity
Rivian says that every R1T can tow more than 11,000 pounds and the pickup offers a payload capacity of 1760 pounds. We found that towing a trailer will deplete the battery more quickly than when cruising unladen, so buyers who plan to utilize the truck’s capabilities would be wise to get the model with the largest battery pack when it becomes available.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
For 2022, the R1T is only offered with a 128.9-kWh “Large” battery pack, which has an EPA-rated driving range of 314 miles. On our 75-mph real-world highway route, our loaded test vehicle only delivered 220 miles of range. A smaller standard battery is expected to become available next year, with Rivian claiming it has a range of at least 260 miles. The “Max” battery will be the biggest pack available and is also expected to arrive next year; Rivian claims it’s capable of at least 400 miles per charge.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The R1T is one of the first electric pickup trucks to receive a fuel economy rating from the EPA. Fuel economy ratings for the quad-motor R1T are 74 MPGe city, 66 MPGe highway, and 70 MPGe combined. On our 75-mph real-world route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, our loaded test vehicle managed only 35 MPGe. For more information about the R1T’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the R1T’s cabin is decked out in leather, wood, and large displays for both the gauge cluster and the infotainment system. The R1T has a large trunk under the front hood, a big storage compartment behind the cab (but in front of the bed), and a lockable in-bed compartment. Overall, Rivian says the truck has 12 cubic feet of lockable storage. The truck’s expandable and collapsible crossbar system allows for mounting gear over the bed and cabin. In the bed are three 110-volt outlets and an air compressor.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 16.0-inch infotainment display is recessed into the R1T’s contoured dashboard and a secondary digital readout serves as a reconfigurable gauge display. The infotainment interface uses expandable tiles for individual features with the main options (navigation, media, climate controls, etc) available at all times at the bottom of the display. Instead of delving into submenus, options slide out of the side of tiles to reduce the complexity of the system. Oddly, Rivian has chosen not to include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto–both features that buyers may expect at this price.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Rivian says every model will be outfitted with hands-free driver-assistance technology, with the suite called Driver+. For more information about the R1T’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warningStandard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
All Rivian models come with a generous standard warranty which includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles as well as a battery and drivetrain policy that goes on for eight years or 175,000 miles.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 milesPowertrain warranty covers eight years or 175,000 milesNo complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $74,075/$76,875
Options: Off-Road upgrade, $2000; full-size spare tire, $800
POWERTRAIN
4 permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Combined Power: 835 hp
Combined Torque: 908 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 128.9 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.5 kW
Transmissions: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.5-in vented disc/12.9-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Elect
275/65R-20 116H M+S 3PMSF RIV
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 135.8 in
Length: 217.1 in
Width: 79.3 in
Height: 73.0 in
Passenger Volume: 107 ft3
Cargo Volume: 37 ft3
Curb Weight: 7173 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 9.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.9 sec @ 110 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 111 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 177 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 35 MPGe
Highway Range: 220 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 70/744/66 MPGe
Range: 314 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
