2023 Rivian R1T Review

The Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck. It is not only the first vehicle produced by this U.S.-based startup company but also the first electric pickup ever to be sold, as it beat Ford's F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV to market. The R1T debuted for the 2022 model year.

The R1T doesn't slot into the traditional pickup sizes. It's smaller than your average full-size crew-cab truck but bigger than most midsize trucks. It also comes in just one body configuration with a 4.5-foot cargo bed. That's still a bit short, compared to the beds of gasoline-powered midsize trucks. However, the R1T has some useful storage features that you couldn't get in a traditional truck such as a large front trunk and unique gear tunnel. It is a trapezoidal enclosed cargo area located between the cargo bed and rear seats. The gear tunnel might come in handy to store long and thin items such as strollers or golf bags.

Rivian's biggest change for the R1T’s second model year should be the delivery of models fitted with different powertrain configurations. For 2022, the only truck that's ending up in customer hands is the quad-motor setup paired to the Large battery pack. But by 2023 we're hopeful Rivian will start delivering R1Ts with the Max battery pack, which promises a range of more than 400 miles. (The Large pack has an EPA-estimated 314 miles of range.) Speccing the less expensive dual-motor setup or the Standard pack could still push delivery into the year 2024, unfortunately.

The Rivian R1T made a great first impression with us, so if you're interested in one, reserve one as soon as you decide it's the truck for you. Then be prepared to wait.