- Upstart Rivian takes aim at Tesla and other automakers with warranty coverage that stretches up to 175,000 miles.
- The eight-year/175,000-mile policy covers the battery pack and electric drivetrain components; everything else is covered for five years or 60,000 miles.
- The EV automaker also released information on its servicing methods, which will include roving vans of mechanics ready to repair R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks on the fly.
When launching a brand, even one as buzzworthy as Rivian, it helps to provide consumers with some peace of mind. The electric automaker is gearing up to launch its first two models—the R1T pickup truck and the mechanically similar R1S SUV—and both will come standard with one of the longest warranty coverage terms in the auto industry at eight years or 175,000 miles. The current industry standard for battery warranties is eight years or 100,000 miles.
The long warranty coverage is specific to the trucks' battery pack and drivetrain components. That much coverage should help early adopters of the upstart brand feel secure in their decision, but it's important to remember that key rival Tesla offers similar coverage with unlimited mileage.
Where the Rivian warranty stands out from Tesla is in its bumper-to-bumper protection, which spans five years or 60,000 miles; Tesla models are covered for four years or 50,000 miles, which matches most other premium-branded offerings from rivals such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.
Like Tesla, Rivian will also provide a concierge service for repairs and maintenance, including mechanics working out of mobile service vans who can show up for repairs in buyers' own driveways or office parking lots. Another service, called Rivian Remote Care, also monitors vehicle telematics to alert owners when service or maintenance is required and provide over-the-air updates for electronics. In addition to on-demand repairs, the company told Car and Driver that it plans to open more than 40 service centers across the country in the coming year.
When it comes to a warranty, the brands that probably come to the minds of most consumers first are Hyundai and Kia, which offer 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage as well as five years or 60,000 miles in bumper-to-bumper protection. The Korean conglomerate is in the process of launching a flurry of electric vehicles with the recently announced Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 models, as well as a refreshed version of the Kona Electric.
With more and more competitors piling into the electric-vehicle marketplace and as range anxiety dissipates with the proliferation of large, energy-dense battery packs, manufacturers may need to rely on perks to stand out from the crowd. Long warranty coverages and low-stress maintenance methods are certainly welcome advantages.
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.
