The new Rivian R1T is the first in a string of electric trucks for sale coming to market. Production at the Normal, Illinois, plant began in September. But the new R1T already has a significant new challenger: the recently introduced electric Ford F-150 Lightning, which offers more options, a larger platform, and a $40,000 starting price.
While the electric R1T is revolutionary, it cannot do everything a gasoline-powered truck can do. The R1T comes in only one body style and one bed length, and while it will eventually be offered with a choice of three battery packs, its towing and hauling abilities significantly reduce the overall electric range.
For now, only two battery packs are available: a 135-kWh Large Pack with a 314-mile range and the 180-kWh Max Pack that promises better than 400 miles. When equipped with the Max Pack, the R1T can bolt to 60 mph in 3 seconds. Later next year, Rivian will offer a less-powerful and less-expensive 250-mile 105-kWh battery.
The Rivian R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds and boasts a 1,760-pound payload.
The special first-year-only Launch Edition has already sold out, but the company is taking orders on the Explore and Adventure grades.
Pre-orders require a $1,000 refundable deposit. Rivian plans to provide financing through Chase in a seamless process that will be completely digital, but final details on rates and terms are still being established.
We recently spent some time in an R1T and came away impressed with its supercar-like acceleration and excellent on-road handling with minimal body roll in the corners. And the new Rivian shined off the road as well. Its individual wheel motors propelled this electric pickup with impressive aplomb. With the air suspension at its highest position, the R1T had the clearance to negotiate rocky trails and even ford a 3-foot-deep stream.
The midsize proportions of the R1T also helped on the narrow trails, where the steering exhibited a lively quality. It actually pulled left and right as the R1T’s front tires encountered rocks and ruts. We saw this as a welcome bit of analog character that helped to keep the new Rivian R1T from feeling too digital.
The R1T is rated by the EPA at 74 MPGe city/66 MPGe highway. It also qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit. See this recent review from KBB:
}
2022 Rivian R1T Explore (starting at $79,500)
The 2022 Rivian R1T Explore package is the entry-level model. It’s an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model with a range of 314 miles, and the differences between it and the other trims boil down to just a few features.
The R1T pickup employs four electric motors, one at each wheel, and includes an air suspension that can modulate the truck’s ground clearance between 8 and 14.4 inches. Traditional anti-roll bars are replaced by an electro-hydraulic design, accompanied by active dampers that constantly monitor road conditions for an improved ride.
The off-road-capable R1T has a 34-degree approach angle, 29.3-degree departure angle, and a 25.7-degree breakover angle, plus the ability to forge through over three feet of water.
A quick look at the R1T’s exterior reveals 21-inch tires, flush door handles, and a light bar running between the LED headlights. The light bar is a rather ingenious design, serving as the vehicle’s daytime running light and a charge status bar. Open the driver’s door, and you’ll find a built-in flashlight that recharges every time it is returned to its cradle.
At the R1T’s back, the power tailgate not only folds level with the bed, but can also fold a full 180-degrees, achieving the same effect as removing the tailgate. A hidden compartment below the bed floor provides more storage or a spot for the optional full-size spare tire. Three 110-volt outlets neatly tuck into the rear bed wall.
Passengers enjoy a roomy cabin with seating for five, while cargo enjoys several places to hide. The 4.6-foot bed includes a manual tonneau cover, but items needing more security fit nicely into a lighted 12.4-cubic-foot gear tunnel fitted between the bed and cab. Rivian chose to create a front trunk measuring nearly 25 inches deep as there is no engine under the hood, making it perfect for luggage, coolers, or whatever you need to store.
Getting back to the Explore’s cabin, you’ll find vegan leather upholstery (faux leather) in a choice of two colors: Ocean Coast or Black Mountain. The rest of the cabin is covered in a black matte finish. Both front seats are power-operated, but only the driver gets power lumbar support. Conveniently, both front seats and the steering wheel are heated.
As with Tesla cars and SUVs, the R1T lacks traditional knobs and buttons. Instead, the dash contains two sizable digital display screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other the infotainment, climate control, and accessories such as the heated seats and steering wheel. A steering wheel-mounted stalk replaces the traditional gearshift lever.
As for connectivity, we know the R1T Explore will include a Wi-Fi hotspot, streaming Bluetooth, six USB ports, a wireless charge pad, and Alexa voice control. What we don’t know is whether Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will ever be offered. Given its technical prowess in designing the R1T, Rivian may provide its own system for accessing apps and other phone-related info.
A sound system by Meridian features 12 speakers and a 280-watt amp.
Safety is of paramount importance to Rivian, so it has equipped the R1T with a suite of standard driver assists. Included are forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot monitor, lane-keeping with lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear cross-traffic alert, trailer assist, driver drowsiness monitor, and a set of camera and radar-based sensors providing a 360-degree detection system are also standard.
The Driver+ system adds autonomous self-driving capability, adaptive cruise control, and lane-changing assist.
Optional for the Explore trim is the bigger battery pack with more than 400 miles of range, plus an off-road upgrade package that adds a bed-mounted air compressor, underbody shield, and dual front-bumper tow hooks. Other options include various 20-, 21-, and 22-inch wheel/tire combos and a portable kitchen fitting into the R1T’s gear tunnel. The kitchen draws power from the truck’s battery pack and features an induction cooktop, a built-in sink, and a 4-gallon water tank with an electric pump.
Rivian will also offer several fixed glass roof options and, later in the model year, a removable roof panel.
The 2022 Rivian R1T comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and an 8-year/175,000-mile warranty covering the battery and drivetrain.
A 2022 Rivian R1T Explore costs $79,500. The destination fee is $1,075, and there’s also a $70 documentation charge. A 60-month loan for $80,645 with no money down at 3% interest nets a roughly $1,449 monthly payment.
Rivian plans to provide financing through Chase in a seamless digital process. Final details on rates and terms are yet to be established. A $1,000 deposit is due upon placing a pre-order, and buyers have up to seven days or 1,000 miles to return the vehicle. See Rivian R1T models for sale near you
2022 Rivian R1T Explore includes:
Driver + – Includes basic driver-assist technology such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous driving, and lane change assist.
Power tailgate – Lowers halfway to serve as a shelf or can fold 180 degrees creating easy access to the bed. The gate also includes fold-out steps.
Gear tunnel – Allows for safe storage of long items and plays home to the optional pullout kitchen.
Heated front seats and steering wheel – Ensures every part of your body stays warm long before the cabin gets comfortable.
2022 Rivian R1T Adventure ($85,000)
The Adventure package includes all the same technical, safety, and electric powertrain components as the Explore but adds a more inviting interior a few more high-end features.
The off-road upgrade comes standard, as does a power tonneau cover and bed-mounted air compressor.
Rivian’s Gear Guard includes an in-bed security-monitoring cable system that plugs directly into the vehicle security system. It uses an app to alert when items are being disturbed. The bed also features a camera to monitor your gear.
Replacing the Explore’s matte black finish is elegant ashwood and one more color combo option: Forest Edge.
Music lovers enjoy a 1,400-watt Meridian Elevation 360-degree audio system with 20 speakers. The system adds Meridian’s Horizon upmixing, Intelli-Q data-driven equalization, and RE-Q cabin resonance filtering technology and features a removable Bluetooth speaker for taking tunes outside the R1T.
Additional standard equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, perforated vegan leather upholstery, power lumbar support for the front passenger, Compass Yellow interior accents, 100% recycled microfiber headliner, and Chilewich floor mats.
Like the Explore version, the R1T Adventure also is available with a larger battery, a $10,000 option. Similarly, you can order both the R1T Explore and R1T Adventure with a $2,000 Off-Road Upgrade that includes a reinforced underbody shield, an in-bed air compressor, and two front tow hooks. You can also get a full-size spare, which will add $600 to $800 depending on your chosen wheel and tire.
The 2022 Rivian R1T costs $85,000, plus a destination fee of $1,075 and a $70 documentation charge. A 60-month loan of $786,145 at 3% financing represents a monthly charge of about $1,548. That’s just $99 more each month than the lesser-equipped Explore. See Rivian R1T Adventure models for sale near you
2022 Rivian R1T Adventure includes:
Meridian Elevation 360-degree audio – With 1,400-watts and 20 strategically placed speakers including four titanium dome speakers overhead, this sound system will rock your world.
Power tonneau cover – Quickly and securely covers the bed, protecting your stuff from the elements and prying eyes.
Ventilated front seats – Helps to keep your backside cool when the temperature outside gets warm.
Gear Guard – This ingenious system allows you to secure cargo with a cut-resistant cable that plugs directly into the R1T’s security system. You can monitor the cargo via an app, which will send a text alert if someone tries to swipe your gear.
2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition (sold out)
This special-edition 2022 R1T Launch Edition has already sold out. It is simply the Adventure model with special paint, badging, and a choice of 20-inch or 22-inch wheels.
}
Cox Automotive, parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, is a minority investor in Rivian.
