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Pickup trucks are a quintessential American automotive segment. And, as EVs are fast becoming an industry norm, the Rivian R1T is setting benchmarks already. From amazing off-road chops to its unique styling, the R1T leaves nothing to be desired. Rivian’s attention-to-detail is evidence that the automaker is absolutely clear on exactly what type of cars it needs to make, keeping in mind all the needs of its target consumers.
Not just that, Rivian shows its commitment to an eco-friendly system by being a zero-emission camper. With an EPA range of 289–352 miles (465–566 km), and a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds, it’s clear that the Rivian R1T electric truck doesn’t compromise on performance either. The Launch Edition R1T has a 128.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and four electric motors that produce 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque.
What’s more, Rivian’s ambition is not limited to adventure-ready trucks, as it recently filed a patent for comfy seat designs for police officers carrying a gun as well. This shows Rivian wants to make its cars fit for all sorts of lifestyles. With a hefty price tag of around $73,000, R1T justifies it with its innovative features, thus making it one of the best bang-for-you-buck electric pickups out there currently.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including MotorTrend.
The Rivian R1T Is Considered The Most Off-Road Capable Electric Pickup Truck Yet; But Is It Really?
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1 The 67-inch Gear Tunnel
The sixty-seven-inch long Gear Tunnel is one of the most popular features of the Rivian R1T, making it one of the best overlanding and camping vehicles. With impressive dimensions, it has a pass-through design accessible from either side of the truck. It offers you a secure space for various types of gear you normally struggle to fit in a traditional pickup, from outdoor gear like skis, snowboards, and fishing rods to everyday tools.
The Gear Tunnel Offers A Unique Storage Option
If you’re headed to the mountains for an adventure getaway or transporting work equipment, Rivian gives you a perfect storage option. Moreover, the side panel doors of the gear tunnel double up as seating or a step to reach the truck’s roof to grab stuff or load on. The tunnel remains accessible from the middle of the backseat, too.
Rivian, however, also sells it outfitted with a whole kitchen, but more on that later.
2 The Onboard Air Compressor
The onboard air-compressor is another practical installation in this electric pickup, which further pronounces Rivian’s attention-to-detail. Located on the side panel of the storage bed of the truck, it allows you to inflate anything from tires to camping gear like inflatable mattresses or beach toys on the go.
What Is The Practical Utility Of The Air Compressor?
This feature is especially valuable if you’re an off-road enthusiast because it saves you from carrying a separate portable compressor. Not only that, with the help of the onboard air-compressor, you can easily regulate tire pressure depending on the terrain.
The air-compressor is quite adaptable as well, as it comes with multiple air outlets. This adds another dimension of utility to this already practical electric truck. Rivian is known for its innovation and tech-rich cabin, and the onboard air compressor only adds to its merits. It is controllable through Rivian’s digital interface as well, so you can easily monitor and adjust the pressure with ease.
Why We’d Pick The Rivian R1T Over Other Electric Trucks
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3 The Pull-Out Kitchen
The pull-out kitchen is arguably the most innovative and practical installation in the truck for adventure enthusiasts or those with an active lifestyle. It is ingeniously integrated into the R1T’s gear tunnel, so it is easily accessible and is quite a convenient space for cooking on the go. As the name suggests, it can be pulled out from one side of the gear tunnel, and you have a portable kitchen counter right in front of you.
What Do You Get In The Pull-Out Kitchen?
A first-of-its-kind, the pull-out kitchen comes with a 30-inch cooktop, a sink with an extendable faucet, and extra storage for utensils and cookware. Plus, the materials used in its construction are durable and weather-resistant, making sure it remains resilient in all types of outdoor conditions. It is features like these that make the Rivian R1T the future of overlanding vehicles by adding multiple layers of practical usability.
4 The Carabiner Key Fob
A small but notable innovation, the key fob of the Rivian R1T is unconventional as it’s designed like a carabiner, an extension of the rugged and outdoorsy styling of the truck. Its shape makes it easy to attach it to outdoor gear, backpacks, or even a belt loop. It is quite an innovative way of managing your keys when you’re out. It also goes on to show that Rivian understands its target audience really well.
What Are The Various Ways To Unlock Your R1T?
As if that wasn’t innovative enough, Rivian decided to make unlocking your R1T even easier by providing different options. The designers at Rivian understand that it may not be the best idea to carry the key fob everywhere, so they rolled out a feature to unlock your electric truck via the smartphone app.
Rivian also launched key cards that can easily fit in your wallet with other cards and can be used to unlock your vehicle by a tap. There’s yet another unique and innovative solution for unlocking your car, and we’ve saved it for the last.
Why The Rivian R1T Is The Best Electric Pickup Truck Currently
The Rivian R1T is the premier electric pickup truck with a phenomenal design, ultra-powerful motors, and unmatched comfort.
5 Tank Turn / Front-Dig Mode
When Rivian first announced the tank turn feature through a YouTube video, it was a viral hit, setting a benchmark for all-electric pickups with the shortest turning radius. This feature basically allowed the R1T to rotate in place by turning the wheels in opposite directions and using the electric motors on each wheel independently.
The result? An extremely tight turning radius thanks to R1T’s quad motor platform. However, Rivian soon announced after the launch in 2019 that it would delay this feature to fine-tune it, but eventually, it was removed entirely.
Why Was The Tank Turn Feature Removed And What’s Next?
According to CEO RJ Scaringe, the feature was cut as a result of the environmental damage it would leave behind on any loose surface. He explained in an Instagram QnA session that it goes against Rivian’s brand messaging and the sentiment off-road enthusiasts have for the trails.
However, while other automakers have patented their own versions of the tank turn, Rivian has moved on and filed a patent for the Front Dig mode for its cars. According to the patent, the Rivian vehicle utilizes its own torque to power different wheels and turn the EV, which isn’t much different from tank turn unless we dive into the technicalities that are elaborated in the patent linked.
6 The Gear Guard Camera
The last thing you want to worry about when going on an outdoor camping or adventure trip is your gear. And that is where the Rivian R1T’s Gear Guard feature comes in, to offer you greater peace of mind when you’re out and about.
How Does The Gear Guard Feature Work?
Five cameras are installed around the truck to record any activity, and you get a braided steel cable to secure items in the bed and on the roof. Plus, while you are away from the truck, a watchful animated Gear Guard is on the lookout in the center infotainment screen.
This feature gives this electric pickup the ability to record video if people get too close to it, and it sends a notification to your phone in case there’s an event significant enough to set off the car alarm. The cable is a part of this feature, which isn’t limited just to the cameras, so you can secure your gear like kayaks, bicycles, and more without worries.
What Makes The Rivian R1T Such An Irresistible Electric Pickup Truck
Why settle for the ordinary when you can have the extraordinary? The Rivian R1T is a precedent-setting electric pickup truck you need!
7 The Flashlight With An Integrated Door Pocket
There is one luxury automaker famous for integrating an umbrella into its doors, and we all know about it. Rivian takes a page out of Rolls-Royce and Skoda’s books and, instead of an umbrella, it has a powerful flashlight tucked in the door. The interesting thing is that the flashlight is charged when the doors remain closed, and thus it won’t lack any power when you pull it out to use.
How Does This Flashlight Work?
It is very easy to access the flashlight. All you need to do is a simple tap inward on the visible and the flashlight comes sliding right out. It takes up barely any space and is always handy to keep. The R1T comes with the Bluetooth camp speaker as well, which can double as a glowing lantern to light up your camp, and the flashlight complements that by being more useful for wilderness trails in the dead of the night.
8 Crossbars For The Roof And Bed
Crossbars are extremely handy for loading heavier stuff that needs to be stationary. And Rivian offers you the convenience of getting them installed on both the roof and the pickup bed. This feature isn’t standard and comes as an additional accessory. But if there’s one thing Rivian has ensured in the R1T, it’s versatile storage options.
What Is The Practical Utility Of Roof And Bed Crossbars?
Traditional pickups do not come with crossbars for the bed, for the idea of an open bed is to carry a wide variety of cargo. The absence of crossbars allows for flexibility in loading and securing items of different shapes and sizes. But let’s say you need to go camping with your friends and load bicycles, having crossbars in the bed to secure them makes it all the more convenient.
Rivian R1T vs Rivian R1S: Which One Should You Buy
Rivian has built two exceptional electric vehicles that are very similar to each other, but some differences can be very significant.
9 An Under-Bed Storage
The whole point of a ‘pickup’ truck is to have a spacious and practical bed. And, on the Rivian R1T, you have a 4.5-foot-long bed that can easily extend to six feet in length (around 84 inches) if you leave the tailgate down. But there’s another interesting feature here – the under-bed storage.
What Is The Utility Of An Under-Bed Storage?
Rivian has redefined the truck bed with the R1T, as the bed is tall and wide enough for all types of gear and its rubber lining gives it enough friction to prevent anything from sliding off the bed. Plus, you get two charging outlets inside (110 Volt AC and 12 Volt DC) that provide power.
In the under-bed storage, Rivian provides you with a full-size 20-inch spare tire, but you can use this space for anything from an icebox to stashing more gear or equipment. What’s cool about this is that you get a nifty drainage hole into the bottom, which drains under the car, offering you the space for a tiny pool for your pets as well.
10 The Waterproof Bracelet Unlocks The Truck
Yes, this is the final innovative solution (so far) to unlocking your R1T. Rivian knows carrying the key fob or even the card is not the best idea when you’re outdoors, so they introduced the wristband as well. Not only does this wristband look minimalist and comfortable, it is waterproof as well.
How Does The Wristband Work?
The wristband is not too different from the Apple Watch Sport Band, at least in how it can be worn. To unlock the driver’s door, press and hold the RFID sensor on the wristband against the handle of the truck. The vehicle is equipped with an immobilizer to prevent theft. When the key band unlocks the door, the system turns off the immobilizer for 60 seconds. So you should be able to press the brakes, put the vehicle in Drive or Reverse, and drive off.
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