Why Is the 2021 Rivian R1T Important?
America's full-size pickup market is massive. According to Ford, more than two million pickups were assembled in the U.S. in 2019. The Ford F-150 alone generated more revenue than McDonald's or Nike. It's only natural that other companies want a piece of the action.
Of all the startups in the category, no company other than Tesla has generated the buzz and billions in investment dollars that Rivian has attracted. Its list of investors includes Ford, Amazon, Cox Automotive, and BlackRock.
If all goes according to plan, the Rivian electric truck will be one of the earliest to arrive in the marketplace.
While the R1T pickup will be the first product Rivian brings to market, it won't be alone for long. It will be joined by the Rivian R1S SUV, which shares many of the truck's components, and several unannounced (but planned) products. The company plans to use the pickup's platform to underpin a new electric delivery vehicle for Amazon.
Powertrain: Mild to Wild
Rivian is set to eventually offer the R1T pickup with three levels of output. The most powerful will be a 754-horsepower (562 kW) model. It provides an estimated zero-to-60-mph time of about three seconds, according to Rivian.
It's expected to reach 100 mph in less than seven seconds, on its way to a top track speed of 125 mph.
A longer-range model producing 700 horsepower will also be offered at launch. About six months later, a less expensive, shorter range, 402-horsepower R1T will go on sale. All Rivian R1Ts come standard with all-wheel drive, thanks to the use of electric motors at each wheel.
Range and Charging: Long and Longer
When the Rivian R1T arrives in 2021, it will be available with a pair of battery pack options. The smaller of the two provides a Rivian-estimated range of more than 300 miles on a single charge.
Spend the $10,000 to upgrade to the Max pack, and you'll get a battery estimated to propel the truck more than 400 miles on a charge. Sometime after the launch, Rivian will offer a more affordable option, with a range of at least 230 miles from a full battery charge.
You'll be able to charge the R1T from a 220-volt Level 2 home or public charging station, or a DC fast-charger equipped with a Combined Charging System (CCS) plug. While it may be theoretically possible to charge the truck from a 110-volt household outlet, it would take an excessively long time. Rivian states that the truck will support fast charging at a rate of up to 160 kW. That rate would add 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes.
The company's founder has stated that the R1T will accept accessory battery packs, increasing its range. The truck may also be able to share its charge, helping out other R1T drivers stranded by depleted batteries.
Exterior Design: Different Than the Rest
The Rivian R1T makes an entrance with a light bar spanning the entire front end. It's punctuated with a pair of vertical "stadium" headlights. The R1T's long wheelbase creates short front and rear overhangs, which, when combined with its high ground clearance, give the truck the look of a formidable off-roader.
All 2021 Rivian R1T models feature a crew cab with a short pickup box. Like the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, there's no separation between the five-seat cab and the cargo bed. It's 8 inches longer than the Ridgeline, and about 14 inches shorter than a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab with a short box.
The cab includes a panoramic glass roof. Rivian expects to offer a removable roof option in 2022.
It's about the same width as the Ridgeline and a couple of inches taller. There are openings on each side to access the gear tunnel between the back of the cab and the rear wheel wells. We'll talk about that unique feature more in the Payload section.
Both the Rivian R1T pickup and R1S SUV are built on the company's skateboard platform, which holds the battery and drivetrain very low in the design.
Interior Design: Greens and Screens
Rivian has designed the R1T's interior to be a showcase of sustainability. To do that, the company uses materials including vegan leather, sustainably sourced wood, recycled microfiber headliners, and floor mats made with Chilewich yarns.
The company looked to sportswear and active gear to find materials expected to stand up to the rigors of daily use and frequent cleaning. The truck's sharply contoured seats look more like they came out of the Hummer design book rather than a luxury truck. Given the R1T's overall length and short bed, it appears that the cabin will be quite roomy.
Like many electric vehicles, you won't find a dashboard covered with dials, buttons, and switches. Instead, the Rivian employs a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch horizontal central infotainment touch screen. Rear-seat passengers get their own 6.8-inch touch-screen display.
Rivian includes a flashlight that's built into the driver's door.
Infotainment and Connectivity: Connected, Except ...
Rivian has announced that the R1T's infotainment system will support Bluetooth phone connectivity, a wireless phone charger, Amazon Alexa Auto voice response, and an onboard Wi-Fi hot spot.
However, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity – which is included with most rivals – has not been announced. A surround-sound audio system comes standard, with a Rivian Elevation 360-degree audio system available. The latter system includes four overhead titanium dome speakers. The truck includes a detachable Bluetooth speaker you can take with you when you leave the vehicle.
The R1T accepts over-the-air updates of its vehicle software, which can eliminate extra trips to the repair shop.
Handling and Off-Road Capability: Tank Turn, For the Win
The Rivian R1T's spec sheet describes a formidable off-roader: 14.4 inches of ground clearance, air suspension, and a water fording depth of more than 3 feet. Its available adventure package adds front tow hooks, an air compressor, and a reinforced underbody shield.
That's not all, though. The truck's electric powertrain will provide ample torque for off-road adventures such as rock crawling. By powering the wheels on each side of the vehicle in different directions, the R1T can turn on its center axis, performing what's known as a "tank turn."
Buyers have multiple wheel choices, including a 20-inch all-terrain option and 22-inch sport wheels.
Because the truck's skateboard platform keeps most of the weight down low, it won't have many pickup trucks' top-heavy handling. That's a good thing, as its powertrain will offer supercar-like levels of performance.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology: It's All Standard
The 2021 Rivian R1T will come standard with several advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. Eight airbags will protect occupants if a collision occurs.
The company says they'll add more features over time using the over-the-air update function included on every truck.
Beyond the basics, Rivian will also include Driver+. It leverages the truck's 11 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors to provide partially automated driving in certain conditions and with the driver still fully engaged behind the wheel. It can steer, adjust speed, and change lanes. Additional features will be added with remote upgrades.
The truck has not yet been crash-tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Cargo Carrying: A Truckload of Options
There's storage everywhere you look in the all-new Rivian R1T. Since there's no engine up front, you'll find a front trunk –or "frunk" – with 11 cubic feet of space for your stuff. Behind the cab and in front of the rear wheel wells, you'll find the Rivian-exclusive Gear Tunnel.
The Gear Tunnel holds 11.9 cubic feet of cargo room, and can be accessed by doors on both sides of the truck. Those doors are strong enough that you can use them as steps to access the bed from the side of the truck. The company has introduced an optional camp kitchen package that slides out of the tunnel, providing a workspace and an electric induction stove. More Gear Tunnel options are expected.
The truck's bed is a bit more than 51 inches wide and 54 inches long with the tailgate up. That's wide enough for a standard sheet of plywood, but nowhere near long enough. With the tailgate down, the bed is 83.8 inches long, which will still leave a 4x8-foot sheet of plywood hanging over the edge. A manual tonneau cover with a lock comes standard, with a power-operated bed cover available.
Unlike most trucks, the R1T's optional spare tire is accessed below a panel in the bed, rather than from underneath the truck. While that's convenient when you're off-roading and keeps the tire clean, it means you have to empty the bed of any cargo before you can reach the tire.
The available Gear Guard options include a pair of locking cables to securely attach bicycles and other expensive outdoor gear to the truck's bed, plus a camera to monitor and let you know if your gear is tampered with. A telescoping rack system will be available to secure bed-top tents, equipment racks, and gear carriers.
Towing Capability: It's a Trade-Off
The all-new 2021 Rivian R1T has a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds when properly equipped. That's well-below the gas-powered 2021 Ford F-150's maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, but it's still plenty for a ski boat or medium-size travel trailer.
Rivian estimates that the R1T's range is cut in half when towing a trailer that weighs near the truck's maximum towing capacity.
Trim Levels and Pricing
Rivian is currently offering reservations for two models. The base Explore model has a base price of $67,500. The Adventure model adds features like a power tonneau cover, an off-road package, upgraded audio, and the Gear Guard locking system. It has a base price of $75,000.
To mark the truck's launch, the company offered a Launch Edition, which is now fully reserved and no longer available. It was also priced from $75,000, but included special-edition-exclusive paint, priority delivery, and 20-inch all-terrain or 22-inch sport wheels.
Upgrading to the higher-capacity 400+-mile-range battery pack adds $10,000 to the price tag.
Most R1T buyers will qualify for the Federal Electric Car Tax Credit of $7,500. Depending on where you live, some buyers and lessees can also take advantage of state, local, and utility incentive programs.
Production and Availability
Rivian expects to begin deliveries of the 2021 R1T Launch Edition in June 2021. Adventure and Explore models are predicted to start shipping in January 2022. As with all new car launches, interruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic may cause the expected production dates to be delayed.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a factor in the cancellation of a luxury SUV that was going to be produced in partnership with Lincoln.
You can get your place in line for a Rivian R1T by making a $1,000 refundable deposit at Rivian.com. The company hasn't provided a shipping date for the expected shorter-range model, but has said it will be within about a year of initial production.
The Rivian R1T battery-electric pickup truck will be built in Normal, Illinois, at a former Mitsubishi Motors factory.
Competition
The Rivian R1T will be part of a tsunami of electric pickups when it arrives. Not only will it compete with models from legacy automakers, including the electric Ford F-150, a long-rumored Chevrolet electric pickup, and GMC Hummer EV, but it will also face newcomers, including Bollinger and Lordstown Motors.
Of course, there's also the polarizing Tesla Cybertruck.
Given its price, the truck will also likely compete with high-end models of gas trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ford F-150 Platinum, Ram 1500 Limited, and GMC Sierra Denali.
Read on to see more photos of the Rivian R1T.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
The closest you can get to an electric pickup today is the 2021 Ford F-150 Powerboost hybrid. If you're currently in the market for a new truck, explore our new car rankings and reviews to find a model that fits your needs and budget.
Even better than finding the perfect truck is getting a great deal. Our new car deals page shows the best cash back and financing offers in the marketplace. You'll find lease incentives with low monthly payments and little due at signing on our lease deals page.
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Rivian's Electric Pickup Set to Arrive in 2021
By 2023, the battery-electric full-size pickup field will be quite crowded. Not only will you have vehicles from legacy automakers, including Ford's electric F-150, but you'll also have entries from startup truck makers. The growing list will include the 2021 Rivian R1T, an adventure-oriented short-bed crew cab pickup.
Unlike some rivals, which appear to be designed for commercial use, the Rivian is aimed at customers who want to get off the beaten track while demonstrating a bit of respect for the environment. Powered by electricity alone, you won't burn an ounce of gas while driving a Rivian pickup.
On the following pages, we'll take a look at what makes the Rivian R1T a compelling option in the rapidly expanding electric pickup truck market. Note that all specifications cited are preliminary and may change before the truck makes it to production.