The Rivian R1T Is Taking Part In The Electric Pickup Races
Several electric trucks are expected to hit the market in the coming months, including the Rivian R1T. In terms of equipment, it has carved out a niche for itself as a stylish yet pricey piece of gear in the automobile sector. It's a beauty, with curves but still, that built tough feeling and appeal.
Rivian R1T stands out on the road from other pickup trucks not only for its eye-catching colors but also for its distinctive looks. Despite not going quite as far as the Tesla Cybertruck, the Cybertruck looks like a well-designed pickup. Diesel and gasoline pickup trucks are alike in their massive grills and powerful headlights that evoke a sense of dread.
On the other hand, the Rivian R1T doesn't quite have that full-on rough and tough appeal to it. It doesn't have a mean grill that looks like it will swallow you whole. It has more rounded features but still seems to be built very tough. A very small grill is visible below the solid/single bar of lights that runs across the whole length of the front of the vehicle. The headlights look pretty small as well. Tall and thin in shape. There is a narrow slit where the foglights sit on both sides of the small grill.
This electric truck has massive horsepower strength sitting at 800 compared to 400 to 600 horsepower in the average fuel pickup trucks we have in today's market. As an electric vehicle maker with extensive corporate backing, the company has gained a great deal of attention. Ford and Amazon have provided funding, and an initial public offering is imminent.
Besides the R1T truck, Rivian has plans to produce an SUV called the R1S and has a contract with Amazon to build 100,000 electric delivery vans. The investment Amazon has made in Rivian seems to be promising and profitable, given that Amazon owns 20 percent of the company. Rivian is slowly beginning the manufacturing process for these pickup trucks at the Illinois plant.
R1T will face challenges related to cost, however. With a $7,500 tax credit, the price is about $60,000. Those prices aren't unheard of for a truck these days, but it places the R1T squarely in the category of luxury trucks. It's therefore difficult to compare this truck with bigger, more capable gasoline-powered pickups with more room and more advanced features.
It is hard not to consider the Ford F-150 Lightning and its $40,000 starting price that haven't yet included tax incentives. As a midsize model, the R1T, with its 4.5-footbed, can compete with models with gas engines like the Ford Ranger and the newly redesigned Nissan Frontier. Neither of these low-cost alternatives is as stylish as the R1T. They also both have gasoline-guzzling engines, but their functionalities are identical.
This four-wheeled vehicle has four electric motors, one powering each wheel, making it capable of traversing muddy trails and crossing sand dunes. Its performance on the pavement was especially impressive, considering how well it's supposed to be off-road. Riverian claims that the vehicle can drive through 3 feet of water and climb a 45-degree slope. It will provide a smooth and quiet riding experience, even though the tires look aggressive.
Overall, the R1T offers a driving experience that is genuinely similar to that of a real car. It doesn't feel or look like a traditional pickup truck. This one definitely has style and class. It won't please everyone, but for those looking for a nontraditional truck that still has power and the ability to haul things that traditional gasoline trucks do, this is the truck to keep in mind. Featuring adjustable air suspension and hydraulic control systems to prevent body lean, the R1T feels like a luxury sedan in corners. This vehicle is also quite fast. The Rivian claims it will only take 3 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour when merging onto the highway, which is comparable to a high-end Porsche.
Unlike Tesla's minimalist design, the Rivian R1T's interior is more aesthetically pleasing and uses nicer materials. Various parts of the steering wheel and dashboard are covered in reclaimed wood. An optional glass roof adds to the airy feel, and the seats are also covered in faux leather.
Functionally, the R1T shares many of the same problems as other electric vehicles. There is a lack of knobs to control the functions of the vehicle. Everything from adjusting the mirrors to directing the air vents is done through the large touch screen at the truck's center. Many automakers, like Rivian, say customers prefer this. Perhaps some customers are fine with it, but it's hard to imagine someone would actually prefer to adjust the steering wheel through a menu on a touchscreen rather than just using one lever.
A great deal of the Rivian's functional ingenuity can be found between its passenger compartment and its bed. The "Gear Tunnel," as Rivan describes it, is the hole through the middle of the truck, with doors on either end. The doors can be used as steps when retrieving or tying down equipment on the roof if needed. Platforms can be slid out and propped on folding legs in order to function as benches. Rivian even sells a camp stove, an electric cooking device that rides on that platform, for about $5,000. There is even a drawer for silverware, pots, and pans.
Under the large, square hood of the Rivian, there is also storage space. The underhood space isn't as functional, nor as large, as the work surface on an F-150 Lightning, but it provides a good amount of locked storage. There are special tie-downs built into the bed that works with special cables that lock once the truck is locked, securing your gear. There seems to be a need for more traditional tie-downs and for them to be more easily accessible on the R1T. Furthermore, the truck's tailgate is almost flush with the back bumper, which can be irritating in many ways. It is easier to climb into and out of the truck bed when the rear bumper sticks out. Most traditional trucks provide that compared to the Rivian.
Last but not least, Rivian claims its interface is better than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is not provided nor can be adapted into the Rivian. When trying to find a way out of city traffic and just traveling around, Rivian's navigation was not nearly as efficient as Google Maps.
Aside from those few relatively minor issues, the R1T probably more than makes up for its shortcomings in performance and personality. If you're hesitant about pulling the plug on buying this luxury vehicle, maybe just sit back for a bit and see how others rave about it to understand better how well the vehicle is built and performs before deciding on purchasing it. You definitely have time to decide on buying an electric vehicle, given that these vehicles are the future. Sooner than later, gasoline vehicles will be a thing of the past.
Video
Written By
autoMAG
