Overview
The futuristic R1T is an all-electric pickup truck from new American startup brand Rivian, and it promises 300 miles of driving range and lightning-quick acceleration. The company says that the revealed truck is no concept vehicle—what you see here is what will enter production as the 2022 R1T. 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 will be one of the first electric pickup trucks in what seems to be a burgeoning market, soon to include the Tesla Cybertruck and the GMC Hummer EV SUT.
What’s New for 2022?
The R1T is an all-new model from Rivian, and the company says it’ll start delivering to customers by the end of 2021. It kicks off with a Launch Edition that starts at $73,000, but a more affordable Explore trim level will join the lineup soon. 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. Going on sale soon after the R1T truck will be the R1S, a seven-passenger SUV with similar specs.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Launch Edition will be the only R1T available at first and it will feature a battery pack with a 300-mile driving range. The Launch Edition comes well-equipped with an array of driver-assistance features as well as a host of infotainment and connectivity technologies. But supplies are limited and if you miss your chance at a Launch Edition, Rivian will eventually offer both the entry-level Explore model and the well-equipped Adventure.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All-wheel drive is standard on the 2022 R1T thanks to an arrangement similar to the Tesla Model X, where each axle is powered by its own electric motor. The R1T boasts up to 800 horsepower and a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 3.0 seconds. Adjustable air suspension will be standard at launch and can adjust the clearance height from eight to 14 inches. Every version of the R1T has all-wheel drive, with an electric motor at each wheel. This 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.
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. Towing such a heavy trailer will surely 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.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
When the R1T hits the market, it will be available with just a 135-kWh battery pack, capable of delivering a claimed driving range of 300 miles. A larger 18o-kWh pack will become optional in 2022 and Rivian says it is capable of around 400 miles per charge.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The R1T is one of the first electric pickup trucks to receive a fuel economy rating from the EPA. Fuel economy ratings for the R1T are 74 MPGe city, 66 MPGe highway, and 70 MPGe combined. When the R1T finally hits the market, we hope to have the opportunity to test it on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and when we do we’ll update this story with results.
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.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 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. Rivian hasn’t given much details about other infotainment features, but we expect Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot will be standard features.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2022 R1T hasn’t been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Rivian says every model will be outfitted with hands-free driver-assistance technology, with the suite called Driver+. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard 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 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 175,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance