The 2022 Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck with a futuristic appearance that features four electric motors, acceleration that is comparable to that of a lightning bolt, and an estimated range of 314 miles. An Editor’s Choice award was given to Rivian R1T initial model because of these qualities and many others. Rivian is a startup company situated in Irvine, California.
Rivian is an American startup company that focuses on the production of Electric Vehicle in 2022, and it seems to be the real deal. The company has been operating in secret for a number of years, but it is now beginning to sell production vehicles on the open market. The earliest illustration of this is the all-electric pickup truck produced by Rivian R1T.
It is currently available with four motors, and in 2024 it will only be available with two motors. Not only is it powered by electricity, but it also comes with a number of interesting extras, such as a “Gear Tunnel” and a tent that may be used. The R1T is geared up and ready for any challenge.
The Rivian R1T Overview
The 2022 Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck with a futuristic appearance that features four electric motors, acceleration that is comparable to that of a lightning bolt, and an estimated range of 314 miles. An Editor’s Choice award was given to Rivian’s initial model because of these qualities and many others. Rivian is a startup company situated in Irvine, California.
The Rivian R1T is only available with a crew cab and is 215.6 inches in length, which places it in the size range between full-size pickups like the Ram 1500 and mid-size pickups like the Ford Ranger. The Rivian R1T is one of the first electric trucks to make it to production in what is shaping up to be a competitive industry that also includes the Ford F-150 Lightning and the GMC Hummer EV SUT.
The market for these types of vehicles is expected to grow in the coming years. Although Rivian has stated that it will also establish a network of service centers and retail locations comparable to Tesla’s, the Rivian R1T will be offered for sale to customers on an individual basis.
The Rivian Owners
RJ Scaringe, an engineer, established Rivian in 2009. Initially known as Mainstream Motors, the company was then rebranded as Avera Automotive and established in Florida, where Scaringe was born and raised.
The company, which would later be rebranded as Rivian, got its start with a small team and the intention of producing a mid-engine hybrid sports car. That concept was later abandoned, and the little company ultimately decided to focus on developing electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles with an emphasis on off-roading.
It is now a publicly traded company, but in order to get to where it is now, it had big name sponsors, such as Ford and Amazon, both of which had a vested stake in the firm’s success.
Rivian and Amazon collaborated extensively on the design of the delivery vehicles that are currently being manufactured at the Rivian plant in Normal. As part of a pilot program designed to iron out any kinks in the production process before the order is filled with production vans that would be put into duty delivering parcels, vans were seen driving around the city streets. Roughly twenty percent of Rivian is owned by Amazon.
New In the 2022 Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T will only be available for purchase during its first model year with a four-motor configuration and a “Large” battery that has a capacity of 128.9 kWh. Along with a new dual-motor option that is reported to generate more than 600 horsepower, it is anticipated that manufacturing will begin on both a regular-sized battery and a bigger “Max” battery in the coming year. Both of these batteries will come in standard and “Max” sizes.
Rivian also significantly raised the price of the 2022 Rivian R1T, a move that initially affected people who made reservations prior to March 1, 2022; however, the decision to uphold original reservations was made swiftly after customer pushback; this was due to the fact that customers were unhappy with the move.
Pricing for the 2022 Rivian R1T
The base price of the 2022 Rivian R1T Explore, which comes standard with quad motors, all-wheel drive, and a more powerful battery pack, is set at $79,500. The Rivian R1T Explore can be had for a starting price of $89,500 when equipped with the maximum battery pack, which enables a range of more than 400 miles.
The base price for the 2022 Rivian R1T Adventure, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, quad motors, and a big battery pack, is $85,000. The base price is $95,000, but it can be increased to $95,000 for the maximum battery pack, which increases the range to over 400 miles.
There is also a documentation fee of $70, in addition to the destination charge of $1,075.
The Rivian R1T is priced between the more reasonably priced Ford F-150 Lightning and the more pricy GMC Hummer EV Pickup in the market for electric trucks, which is still relatively new but is experiencing rapid growth. Because the Rivian R1T is an entirely new model that competes in a new market niche, we are unable to predict with absolute confidence what its future resale value will be. If it’s anything like today’s standard gas-powered pickup trucks, then its value should be able to remain quite stable.
Putting the Rivian R1T 2022 through its paces
In spite of the many obstacles, the pre-production version of the R1T that we tested, which featured four motors, lived up to our expectations. On paved highways, it can accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour in approximately three seconds. That’s supercar quick. It also navigates winding roads with a level of serenity and a lack of body lean that is unheard of in the world of pickup trucks. We have a sneaking suspicion that the Rivian R1T could put some sports cars to shame if it were equipped with a pair of summer tires that were particularly grippy and if its adaptive air suspension was adjusted to its lowest and most rigid setting.
However, if you take the Rivian R1T off-road as the marketing materials recommend, it will really show off its capabilities. When in off-road mode, the suspension is able to lift, providing more ground clearance as well as the capacity to ford water up to three feet deep.
During our test drive in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the individual wheel motors easily propelled the car over the challenging trails that we encountered. When it came to maneuvering into tight trails, we discovered that the R1midsize T’s proportions were a significant asset.
Even if you drive it with a less daring spirit than usual, the Rivian R1T will nonetheless captivate you. When the suspension is set to its softest level, it does a good job of masking road imperfections without completely isolating the driver from their surroundings.
In a similar vein, the steering has a dynamic quality to it, pulling to the left and right whenever the front tires come into contact with rocks or ruts. It adds a nice touch of analog personality to the R1T and prevents it from having a too digital vibe.
Power and Performance
The 2022 Rivian R1T comes equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, but the vehicle employs a different configuration compared to the Tesla Model X: A separate electric motor provides propulsion for each of the Rivian’s wheels. The Rivian R1T is capable of producing up to 835 horsepower and raced from zero to sixty miles per hour in only 3.3 seconds at our testing facility. Because of this, it is the quickest pickup vehicle that we have examined to far.
The clearance height can be adjusted anywhere from eight to fourteen inches with the standard adjustable air suspension that will be included at launch. Although there is now an electric motor attached to each wheel of the Rivian R1T in every configuration, in the not too distant future there will also be an option with two motors. In addition to having all-wheel drive, it will have a horsepower rating of over 600. The R1T is equipped with a quad-motor configuration, which enables it to perform what Rivian refers to as a “Tank Turn.”
This maneuver involves programming the electric motors to rotate the left wheels in the opposite direction as the right wheels, which causes the truck to rotate about its axis. The R1remarkable T’s off-road capabilities as well as its punchy on-road performance were demonstrated during our first test drive, which took place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and was conducted by us.
The Interior of the Rivian R1T
The interior of the Rivian R1T treads a fine line, since it manages to be both rugged and opulent at the same time. There is an abundance of premium materials, and the construction quality seems to be very good, at least in the trucks that we evaluated. Our time was spent in the more luxurious R1T Adventure model, which had natural-grained ash wood trim, elegant splashes of color, and ornate “Chilewich” floor mats. All of these features would look perfectly at home in an urban loft.
The dashboard of every model features a touchscreen of 16 inches in size that is used to control the vast majority of the vehicle’s functions. The driver’s instrumentation is displayed on a second, smaller screen that can be found to the left. Aside from that, the cabin has a plethora of nooks and crannies for storage, a torch that can be accessed through the door that faces the driver, chairs made of vegan leather, and a cool detachable speaker that can also be used as a camp lantern.
This truck has a very good amount of space for storage inside. The R1T has nearly 66 cubic feet of storage space available between the front trunk, the Gear Tunnel, the truck bed, and the under-bed storage section, which can optionally be occupied by a full-size spare tire.
Styling of the Exterior
The Rivian R1T may have the silhouette of a conventional pickup truck, but the front and back of the vehicle include distinctive light signatures that give it a distinctively futuristic appearance. The R1T packs a powerful visual punch and is available in a wide variety of eye-popping hues.
When it comes to functionality, owners of Rivans can electronically lower the tailgate or deploy the available powered tonneau cover by pressing buttons that are embedded atop the driver-side bed rail. Both of these features are available. When lowered, the two doors that lead to the Gear Tunnel can support a combined weight of 400 pounds and operate as either chairs or steps for carrying objects onto the roof.
Rivian provides a rail system for transporting larger things that comes equipped with crossbars that may be used to install bicycles or even a tent. Another useful feature is called Stuff Guard, and it consists of a pair of tethers with a cut-resistant coating that are 8 feet long and lash around your gear before locking into the bed. In addition to this, Gear Guard is able to use 360-degree video capabilities to deter any potential thieves.
There are three options available when it comes to the wheels and tires, including a 20-inch All-Terrain package that is designed for improved performance off-road, a 21-inch set that is rumored to provide the best electric range, and a 22-inch wheel and tire package that promises improved performance when driving on paved roads.
While we were travelling in the back seats, we did find ourselves wishing for stronger lumbar support. We are also curious as to how those who live in arid environments will react to the fact that the panoramic roof does not have a sunscreen. Nevertheless, these problems notwithstanding, the cabin of Rivian’s pickup truck turned out to be a stylish as well as very useful environment.
Towing Capacity as well as Payload Capacity
According to Rivian, each R1T has the capacity to pull a trailer weighing 11,000 pounds, while the payload capacity of the pickup is 1,760 pounds. However, and this should come as no surprise, we discovered that towing a trailer will deplete the battery more quickly than when cruising unladen.
Therefore, purchasers who intend to make use of the truck’s capabilities would be wise to get the model with the largest battery pack as soon as it becomes available. In the course of our towing test, in which we pulled a 6,100-pound, double-axle camping trailer, our R1T had a range of only 110 miles when traveling at 70 miles per hour.
Battery Life, Charging Capacity, and Operating Range
The Rivian R1T will only be available in 2022 with a “Large” battery pack that has a capacity of 128.9 kWh and is rated by the EPA to provide a driving range of 314 miles. Our test car, which was equipped with 20-inch all-terrain tires and traveled at a speed of 75 mph on a real-world highway, was only able to give a range of 220 miles. When we put a second R1T through its paces, this time with all-season street tires measuring 22 inches in diameter, we were able to determine that it had a range of 280 miles.
It is anticipated that a smaller standard battery will become available the following year, and Rivian asserts that this battery has a range of at least 260 miles. Rivian asserts that its “Max” battery pack is capable of traveling at least 400 miles on a single charge and will be the most powerful option available when it becomes commercially available next year.
Trim Levels
The R1T now comes in three different trim levels thanks to Rivian. The Launch Edition, which is based on the Adventure Package, has reached its maximum capacity for reservations.
Package Deal for Exploring: basic equipment includes a battery of a medium size, vegan leather upholstery, heated seats, an adjustable lumbar support for the driver, and black accents throughout the cabin.
Included in the Adventure Package are a power tonneau cover, a Rivian Elevation audio system by Meridian, natural-grain ash wood interior finishes, perforated leather, ventilated seats, yellow interior accents, and a passenger lumbar adjustment. Additionally, the headliner is made from 100 percent recycled microfiber.
Launch Edition features a unique green paint color option, a choice between all-terrain wheels of 20 inches or sport wheels of 22 inches, and Launch Edition insignia inside the vehicle.
Connectivity and Infotainment
A secondary digital readout acts as a reconfigurable gauge display in addition to the huge infotainment display that is recessed into the sculpted dashboard of the R1T. The display measures 16.0 inches. The user interface for the infotainment system makes use of tiles that may be expanded to reveal more capabilities.
The primary options (such as navigation, media, and climate controls, among others) are always accessible at the display’s bottom. The intricacy of the system can be reduced by having options slide out from the edge of tiles rather than having to navigate through submenus. Oddly, Rivian has decided not to add either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are both features that customers may anticipate receiving at a pricing point such as this one.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Rivian has stated that all of their models would be equipped with hands-free driving assistance technology, which will be bundled together under the name Driver+. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for additional details regarding the outcomes of the crash tests performed on the R1T. Among the most important safeguards are:
Automatic emergency braking systems as a standard
Warnings for leaving your lane as standard equipment
Standard adaptive cruise control
Protection from Breakdowns and Maintenance
The bumper-to-bumper coverage on Rivian R1T automobiles is warranted for a period of five years or 60,000 miles, while the battery and drivetrain are covered for a period of eight years or 175,000 miles by the substantial standard guarantee that comes standard on all Rivian models.
The limited warranty lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The powertrain is covered for eight years or 175,000 miles under the warranty.
There is no free regularly scheduled maintenance.
Rivian Trucks For Sale
According to the Rivian Owners Forum, Rivian has started sending emails to existing pre-order holders with an invitation to a new R1T shop. These letters contain information on the new shop. Customers who have placed a pre-order at the shop are given the option to trade in their personalized reserved vehicle for a pre-configured model and receive their purchase within six to eight weeks, if not sooner. If you cant wait for six to eight weeks you can just buy a used one at https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/truck/rivian