2024 Rivian R1T

The interior aims to do more with less, with a 15.6-inch touchscreen stamped onto a dash made of ash wood and aluminum-like trim. Vents sit below and hide in the ends, with the touchscreen handling most every vehicle command, from drive modes to climate control and wiper speed. The complementary 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster makes it visually more intuitive than Tesla’s system, but Rivian showcases much nicer materials, from the ribbed seating to door pocket panels that snap back into place to fit big water bottles. The steering wheel controls lack icons so Rivian can use over-the-air updates to change the functionality, but they’re simple enough to learn due to icons in the cluster. Rivian stamps its badges everywhere, from the seat backs to the dash edge, but the R1T still retains that clean, bright look.

How fast is the Rivian R1T?

It ranges from quick to supercar quick. 

The Quad-Motor model makes 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque, to get the truck from 0-60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. It’s breathtakingly quick. But it can only be had with the 135-kwh battery pack and an estimated range of 328 miles. 

The Dual-Motor models can be had with three battery pack sizes that dramatically affect the range. The base model only has All-Terrain, All-Purpose, and Snow modes, but it’s the only R1T that can be had with a 105-kwh Standard pack with a 270-mile range. It’s the budget R1T, yet it makes 533 hp and 610 lb-ft, good for a 0-60 mph time in 4.5 seconds, and it handles hillsides and boulder ravines with ease. The available Large pack boosts range to 352 miles, while the new 149-kwh Max pack bumps it to 410 miles.

The Performance Dual-Motor hits the sweet spot. It can be had with the Large or Max pack, and a Sport mode tapping into 665 hp and 829 lb-ft helps launch it to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It’s our recommended powertrain. 

Rivian R1T ride and handling

Both versions have All-Purpose, Snow, All-Terrain, and Towing modes, but the units have different final gear ratios. 

The big difference off-road between the two drive units comes from how torque gets routed to the wheels. The Dual relies on brake-based torque vectoring, whereas the Quad utilizes the four motors to apportion torque to each wheel. The Quad is a better experience in spirited on-road driving and more daring off-road scenarios, but the Dual is so capable that only in back-to-back testing does it feel a grade lower.

Consider the Quad-Motor to be optimized for off-roading, with its All-Terrain sub-modes that include Drift, Rally, Rock Crawl, Soft Sand, and Conserve mode. Conserve mode is only meant to be used to get to the last miles of a destination if the battery charge is low. Keep in mind that Conserve mode in the Quad-Motor lowers the air suspension to its lowest drive setting of 10.1 inches of ground clearance, and adjusts the camber in a way that may unduly cause front tire wear, especially with the All-Terrain package. The Dual-Motor units lack a Conserve mode, instead relying on its default All-Purpose mode that decouples the rear axle to run as a front-wheel-drive truck for greater efficiency in most scenarios. If you floor it, the rear axle unit powers on-demand, so the torque shifts from solely the front wheels to a near even split with the rear wheels so all four wheels are more planted on the ground.

The standard suspension setting is 11.3 inches off the ground, and even in Sport mode with the dampers and air springs, it leans into corners like other high-riding vehicles. The motors do an incredible job of offsetting the R1T’s prodigious weight of up to 7,148 pounds, but the weight and height become most obvious in turns, even with inspiration from McLaren on how to cut corners. 

Off-road modes can raise the ground clearance to 14.4 inches. With no differential case hanging from the axle, the R1T can clear a great many more obstacles than other off-roaders. 

Both the Quad- and Dual-Motor trucks can tow up to 11,000 pounds, but expect a 45% battery range drop when towing near that threshold. One last thing to note: Rivian’s on-board range telematics are the most accurate mileage estimates we’ve tested in an EV, continuously updated based on outside and interior conditions. It’s a welcome reassurance.

That’s abetted by the gear tunnel between the cab and bed. The power doors fold flat and hold 250 pounds to make an ideal place to lace or unlace the hiking boots, as well as a step to access the roof rack or to rummage through the bed. The tunnel expands the 29.2 cubic feet of storage space in the bed with another 11.6 cubic feet that can hold 300 pounds and secure precious items, as well as food stuffs from nosy neighbors in the wild. The frunk also secures 11.0 cubic feet of space. 

All of these storage areas complement a roomy crew cabin with power front seats that are heated and cooled, though some riders might want more side bolstering. The R1T would benefit from grab handles on the pillar to get in and out and to hold onto when lumbering off road. Clever storage pockets abound inside, from the LED flashlight tucked into the door side like a Rolls-Royce umbrella to the portable camp speaker that charges under the console and slides out. Instead of a glove box, the front seat bottoms have flip out storage trays for sunglasses, important docs, or some emergency beef jerky. Retractable cupholders and a butterfly console cover offer plenty of additional space. 

The 36.6 inches of rear legroom has the kind of space of a crossover more than a truck, but the flip-up rear seats and retractable seat pockets add even more storage space. Fitting three adults in the back makes for a tight fit.

A Gear Guard system features a Whac-A-Mole like icon that pops up on the touchscreen and uses the sensors and cameras to activate when motion is detected within four feet of the truck. If a bear plans to ransack the bed, or a thief tries to pry, the system sends an alert and a live view to connected phones.

Also earning a point is the infotainment system that pairs a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch touchscreen that absorbs most of the controls for a minimalist approach. It takes some time to unlock all its functions and uses, but it’s a shining example of a large touchscreen done right, and frequent over-the-air updates keep it fresh. 

The options list earns another point, ranging from the $3,850 All-Terrain upgrade with 20-inch all-terrain wheels and tires and spare to a tonneau cover and all the crossbars and mounts.  Lastly, every R1T gets a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, with 8 years or 175,000 miles for the drivetrain and battery pack. That’s worth a point to a 9 total. 

How much is a fully loaded Rivian R1T?

The Performance Dual-Motor model with the Max pack tops the lineup at $95,800 but adding the $1,800 tonneau cover and any color other than silver brings it to six figures.

The Quad-Motor model sold only with the Large pack has an estimated range of 328 miles. It’s rated at 2.2 miles per kwh. 

Range estimates depend on tire size and how you drive it; in Sport mode, your mileage will vary. Upgrading to 22-inch wheels on the Quad drops the range by 25 miles to 303 miles and lowers the efficiency to 2.0 miles per kwh. The 22-inch wheels on the Dual-Motor models drop the range 11 miles to 341 miles and the efficiency rating follows suit. 

How long does it take to charge the Rivian R1T?

Rivian vehicles will be able to charge at Tesla’s 12,000 Superchargers as early as spring 2024 with an adapter, and in 2025 Rivian will incorporate Tesla’s more efficient North American Charging Standard (NACS) into its ports, with an available CCS adapter. 

For now, the port on the driver’s side fender follows J1772 and CCS standards, with DC fast-charging at more than 200 kw, enabling about 140 miles of charge in 20 minutes. Rivian says it’s still building out its DC fast-charging Adventure Network with 600 sites planned in North America. 

Level 2 Waypoints at 11.5 kw charge from 16 to 25 miles per hour, or about 13 hours overnight. Over-the-air software updates can boost charge rates and times.