2021 Rivian R1T Electric

Rivian is set to launch the R1T with only the Launch Edition trim and the more affordable Explore trim is expected to be launched later next year probably as a 2022 model year. Also, the larger 180 kWh battery pack is also expected to be available with the Explore trim next year which offers the longest driving range. That being said, Rivian offers the R1T fully loaded with autonomous driving mode as well. 

Which trim should you buy?

Although the Launch Edition is worth the price in itself, the Explore trim with the larger battery pack makes more sense as it not only provides a longer driving range but also saves money even after opting for the 180 kWh battery.

The 2021 R1T comes standard with four electric motors mounted on each wheel as standard and would be mated to either of the three battery packs. The power and torque output depend on the choice of the battery size with the highest output estimated to be over 800 hp and 900 lb-ft with the largest battery pack.

The R1T with the 135 kWh battery would be the quickest of the lot due to its lower weight and is claimed to do a 0-60 mph run in around 3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile sprint in a staggering 9 seconds. The maximum towing capacity is pretty solid too at around 11,000 lbs while the payload capacity is kind of limited at under 1,800 lbs. 

Both the GMC Hummer EV and the Tesla Cybertruck are priced very close to one another but with a massive 11,500 lb-ft of torque, there is no doubt about who is gonna be the leader in timers of towing capacity. The Nikola Badger uses a unique individual-wheel drive drivetrain and in spite of having abundant power at disposal, it lacks in terms of towing prowess. The Rivian is the most expensive of the lot but has an average performance to offer. 

How does the 2021 Rivian R1T Electric Pickup Truck handle?

Rivian has incorporated quite a few handy technologies in the R1T that help it be a thorough off-road vehicle. With each motor placed at each wheel, the R1T can do what Rivian likes to call the “Tank Turn”, in which the motors rotate the wheels on one side in the opposite direction of the other side. This helps the truck to turn sharply, similar to what a military tank would do. Such clever technology is all set to make driving this huge truck a breeze, no matter the conditions

2021 Rivian R1T Braking Performance

In terms of braking, Rivian hasn’t disclosed much information regarding the size and performance. Therefore, we will have to wait for the full reviews to better understand the truck’s braking performance in emergency situations and normal daily operations. The under 6,000 lbs of maximum weight should ensure a decent braking distance in the 60-0 mph test.

Since all the trucks are relatively new to the market with very limited information on offer from the manufacturers and very few review units making their way out, there is limited data available in this regard. The Cybertruck and GMC Hummer EV both are heavier and should need additional braking force to compete against the lighter Rivian and Nikola trucks.

The three different batteries on offer determine the driving range offered by the 2021 R1T truck. The 135 kWh battery is going to be the only one available at the time of launch and is estimated to return 300 miles of range. The entry-level 105 kWh battery is good for around 250 miles while the top-of-the-line 180 kWh battery could max out at 400 miles, both of which are expected to be available next year. 

The Rivian R1T would have the shortest range on offer amongst its rivals for the 2021 model year with the larger capacity batteries coming in only next year. Nikola Badger’s 600 miles claimed driving range is the best of them all while the Tesla Cybertruck is pretty promising too at around 500 miles. GMC Hummer EV also disappoints in terms of range in spite of packing in a huge battery pack. 

The cabin of the R1T employs premium quality materials with solid build quality. There is ample usage of leather, wood, and high-quality finish plastic that makes the cabin feel upmarket. There is no data available regarding the exact interior dimensions of the truck but Rivian says that the front trunk would offer 11 cu-ft of space while the storage compartment between the cabin and the bed would offer 12 cu-ft of space. 

Add to that the optional lockable in-bed compartment that Rivian offers, there should never be a shortage of storage space whatsoever. There are three 110-volt power outlets and an in-bed air compressor to cater to all the needs you might have from your daily driven work truck. The expandable and collapsible crossbar system also allows for the mounting accessory racks and gears on top of the bed and the cabin. 

No manufacturer has yet disclosed the interior cabin or trunk dimensions of their trucks and hence there is no official date available regarding the same. That being said, all the trucks offer a front trunk due to the lack of an engine up front and also come with the option for lockable in-bed storage for additional functionality. 

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The dashboard of the 2021 Rivian R1T is dominated by two large screens that display and control all the parameters of the truck. A large 15.3-inch digital instrument cluster gives a modern and sophisticated appeal to the truck as compared to the gauge cluster, while the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system handles climate, navigation, music, and other controls. We also expect Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to be standard alongside a premium audio system, connected car-tech, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. 

The exterior of the R1T is radical in nature, but not so much as the Cybertruck. The front of the truck has an LED bar light that stretches across the width of the truck and has two vertical capsule-shaped LED headlights integrated between them. The bar light also indicates the charging status when the truck is connected to a charger and looks very futuristic as well. 

The chunky front bumper with no front grille makes the R1T look like a vehicle from the futuristic movies of the past. At the sides, the large 21-inch wheels with off-road tires and flared wheel arches help it look the part. The rear end too has an LED bar light that stretches across the truck, while the simple bumper design looks basic yet neat. 

In terms of dimensions, the Cybertruck is the longest while the Hummer EV is obnoxiously wide which makes us believe that some of the drive-thrus may not be even worth trying in it. The Nikola Badger is almost as long as the Tesla and almost as wide as the Hummer and yet manages to be much lighter in weight than either of them. Hummer EV rides lowest to the ground while the other three have a much higher ride height.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the 2021 Rivian R1T truck yet and with the high asking price and not so high sales volumes expected in the first year of the sale, we are doubtful if it would be tested by either of them in the near future. That being said, Rivian is offering various safety and driver aids as standard for the R1T, and hence safety should not be a big concern. A highlight of the most probable safety and driver assistance features has been listed below.

• Automated Emergency Braking
• Lane-departure Warning
• Blind-spot Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• 360-degree Camera View
• Semi-autonomous Driving

2021 Rivian R1T vs Tesla Cybertruck

The biggest opponent to defeat for the R1T is the Tesla Cybertruck. With Tesla capturing so many eyeballs at the launch, the R1T has its work cut out for itself. With a higher price tag and lower payload and towing capabilities, it already seems like a daunting task. The R1T also has a lower driving range even with its largest battery pack which is only expected to hit the market next year, add to that the huge and ever-growing Tesla fast-charging network, there is hardly any reason to choose the R1T over the Tesla. 

2021 Rivian R1T vs GMC Hummer EV

Both these trucks have whacky features to attract off-road enthusiast buyers but how practical are those in the real world is yet to be seen. The Hummer EV is not only more affordable, but it also has a mammoth power and torque output and a super spacious cabin that is decked out with all the premium features that GMC could manage to bake in. Rivian R1T on the other hand has a slightly longer driving range and superior ground clearance. Add to that Rivian’s plans of adding a Tesla-like charging network, it should make for a more practical choice. 

2021 Rivian R1T vs Nikola Badger

Although not as popular as any of the other trucks in this comparison, the Nikola Badger offers immense value at a much affordable price. Although the towing capacity isn’t the greatest, the driving range is class-leading. Lightweight construction and a high stance do make it more suitable for adventure drives. That being said, with the new nature of the brand and lack of any infrastructure plans for the near future, it is better to opt for the Rivian. 

The Rivian R1T offers strong value in the full-size electric truck segment. But with the Teslas and Hummers stealing the show everywhere they go and Ford launching the F-150 Lightning, it is going to be a very difficult job for Rivian to gather market share in the initial years. That being said, the extensive list of features, technology, and capabilities that the R1T has to offer, should offer great practicality for the ones who want to stand out from the crowd.