Rivian R1T Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision


in Car Comparisons
Rivian R1T at night in the mountains

Source: Flickr

The Rivian R1T made a splash on the market as a battery-powered truck selection, offering a unique pick-up experience for those who want something out of the ordinary. As with any vehicle, it’s vital to think critically about your selection before buying. What are some of the significant Rivian R1T pros and cons?

If you’re interested in learning more about the best and worst aspects of the Rivian R1T, you’re in the right place. It’s always valuable to understand what you’re getting into before making a final purchase. Keep reading to learn more about what we adore in the Rivian R1T and what we wish this electric vehicle did not have. 

Rivian R1T Pros: What We Love

From the excellent size to the luxurious interior, there are many items to love in the Rivian R1T. Let’s dive into some of the best of the Rivian R1T pros and cons.

Pro: Solid Size With Unique Storage

The first thing we love about the Rivian R1T is that it’s the perfect size. It can fit five people inside its unique system, but there’s still enough room in the bed to carry around all the materials you need. It feels like the Rivian R1T was thoughtfully crafted and pulled together by people who know their audience.

There are also ample unique storage options designed for the Rivian R1T. For example, there’s a spacious cargo section in the rear of the vehicle where you can store plenty of items. There’s also a gear cabin and a platform with a drain plug in the back to provide simple access.


BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 


Pro: Prepared for Off-Roading 

Although you might not expect it, the Rivian R1T is a vehicle that is ready for an off-roading experience. You have to upgrade to the available All-Terrain Upgrade Package, but it’s worth it for a cool-looking truck that runs on electricity and is prepared to hit the dirt road at any moment.

The All-Terrain Upgrade Package comes with items like 20-inch tires for higher reach off the ground and underbody protection to keep the rest of the vehicle safe from harm while on the move. Also, there’s an air compressor onboard that makes it simple to inflate the tires if you need to let out some air for your adventure. 

Pro: Appealing Ride and Powertrain

The ride and powertrain on the Rivian R1T are another pair of exciting pros in this vehicle. The powertrain comes with two motor options - dual or quad - and can provide up to 835 horsepower at its best. Even the least powerful version of the vehicle can go from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds.

The ride is also a spectacular experience in the Rivian R1T. There’s an adjustable air suspension system, which means you can cater the ride experience to whatever your body needs on the go. The ride in the Rivian R1T is better than anything you’ll find in other traditional pick-up truck selections. 


HOW LONG DO RIVIAN R1Ts LAST?

If you’re looking for an electric vehicle, you can’t go wrong with the sleek Rivian R1T. You might ask yourself - how long do Rivian R1Ts last?


Pro: Luxurious Inside 

Finally, we love how luxurious the Rivian R1T is on the inside. It does have a high price tag, but the price point seems slightly more justified when you see the materials they use on the inside of the Rivian R1T. Everything inside feels fancy and like it was crafted with the utmost care.

Vegan leather, ash wood, and metal trim line various spaces inside, making for a luxurious appearance for anyone to enjoy. There is a full glass panel on the roof, plenty of room for passengers to stretch out, and ample comfort in the cushions.

Rivian R1T Cons: What We Dislike

Unfortunately, items like a lack of knobs for control and a high price point drive the appeal for the Rivian R1T down. Keep reading as we jump into some significant Rivian R1T pros and cons.

Con: Lacking Ergonomics    

Unfortunately, there is a lack of ergonomics in the Rivian R1T system. For example, there’s one control switch that works the wipers and headlights - meaning there’s plenty of room for you to mess up and turn on one instead of the other. 

Also, the steering wheel and various buttons are unlit, which means you might have a tricky time seeing them in the dark. If you’re driving at night, you might need to memorize where they are unless you want to accidentally strike the wrong one at the incorrect moment. Also, there’s a strange lack of a glove compartment. 

Con: No Knobs for Control 

There are no knobs in the Rivian R1T, which isn’t uncommon for electric vehicles but is an unfortunate choice. It uses touchscreen controls, which tend to be finicky once you’ve had the vehicle for long enough. Knobs are far better than touchscreen controls, but many manufacturers still seem to leave them out.

In some cases, it can be such a pain to deal with the touchscreen buttons that you might have to remove your eyes from the highway to see what you’re doing. These can be dangerous for those who are moving at high speeds.


RIVIAN VS. LUCID: WHICH EV IS BETTER?

In the Rivian vs. Lucid match-up, it’s difficult to definitively say which of these two vehicles is the better buy. Ultimately, your best choice will depend on individual needs and preferences.


Con: High Price Point 

Finally, the Rivian R1T comes with a high price tag. The starting price is around $70,000, which is already triple the budget of most individuals. It only goes up from there, getting dangerously close to six digits once you get into the nicer trims. 

While the vehicle might be worthy of the price tag, it’s an insane amount of money. Very few people who love the Rivian R1T will be able to afford to place it in their driveway. It’s a dream for many.

Should You Get a Rivian R1T?

We’ve mentioned the Rivian R1T pros and cons. Now, it’s time for one final question - should you invest in a Rivian R1T?

If you don’t mind the high price point and want to gain access to a luxurious truck with an ample powertrain, storage, and off-roading ability, we recommend the Rivian R1T. However, if you want to save money and are seeking a truck with far better ergonomics than this system, you should look elsewhere.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

trade-in