The term "game changer" is a ubiquitous marketing language — especially in the auto industry — and it becomes almost meaningless.
But when it comes to the latest products in the highly competitive pickup truck space, it actually deserves it. A start-up automaker from California (no, not the one you'd think) managed to deliver the first all-electric pickup truck on the market, the 2022 Rivian R1T, beating the traditional brand in the process.
Complex outliers in brute force segmentation
I had a feeling that the Coal Brotherhood really wouldn't like this truck. Arrogant, soot-soot-spewing behemoth drivers, with their sad middle fingers at the electric car movement — or progress in general — willfully blocking the use of Tesla chargers — see their trucks as an incarnation, a primitive tribal identity and symbolism that seeks comfort in an increasingly complex world. Then there's the Rivian R1T.
It's smart and stylish, and doesn't show brute force (though it has spades), and the R1T has a friendly, almost cartoonish face. It's not big; the R1T is more midsize than full-size. More importantly, though, it's all-electric.
Bulldozer Brothers won't see the R1T as a toy truck that's only for snowflakes and city dwellers. Rivian's long-running hype about entering the highly loyal truck market is no joke. It boasts as much torque and horsepower as some of the leading full-size gas-powered entries, and has considerable traction capacity. But it's quiet enough on the trails to allow you to hear the birds without disturbing them or spewing out any emissions.
Nor is it a car-mounted NFT (non-fungible truck?). Nor is it the latest billionaire vanity project. For its first production car and the first electric truck to hit the market, Rivian somehow managed to deliver a game-changing good with a surprising pickup.
Power on four wheels
My tester is equipped with a standard 135 kWh battery pack that provides a range of 480 km. The optional 640 km 180 kWh "maximum battery pack" has been postponed until 2023. I couldn't really test the range because I started with a low battery and only traveled about 160 kilometers.
Rivian uses a universal CCS plug for DC fast charging, and all the battery's energy is transferred to four motors, one for each motor. Combined, the Rivian R1T outputs 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque. Despite being moderately sized at just 3,242 kilograms (7,148 pounds), the R1T weighs a ton more than a gasoline-powered Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado. However, its 3-second sprint time from zero to 100 km/h makes it the fastest production pickup on the planet.
For half a day in my driving, I was impressed by the R1T's fit and finish – yes, the panel clearance was narrow. This is clearly a well-designed newcomer who takes one of the hardest parts of all seriousness. The drivetrain, which takes up no space, allows designers to use traditional pickup truck shapes in fun new ways. Most notably the so-called "cogwheel tunnel" between the cab and the box – a passageway where camping and sports gear can be stored, or an optional pull-out camping stove.
The flat access door to the cargo tunnel can carry a weight of 113 kg (250 lbs) and can be used as a seat or convenient step to enter the bed or roof. The waterproof space is equipped with automatic LED lights and a 120-volt power outlet, which can be accessed from the inside of the cabin via roller shutter doors between the rear seats. There's an LED flashlight plugged into one of the door openings, and a portable Bluetooth speaker with a USB charger port and built-in lanterns.
Under the hood is a 311-L storage compartment with a 12-volt socket, and an additional 405-L of storage space under the bed of the 827-L. The bed is 1,372 mm (54 in) shorter than the competition, but with the tailgate down, the bed floor extends to 2,108 mm (83 in). The bed has four tethers and an integrated air compressor with a six-meter (20 ft) hose. Available is a Gear Guard security system with locking cables and security cameras. The towing capacity is 4,990 kg (11,000 lb).
There are four entrance options: a keychain on a sports carabiner: a wallet-sized Near Field Communication (NFC) key card; a wearable, waterproof NFC bracelet; or access to your smartphone through the Rivian app.
Scandinavian minimalist cottage
Instead of a simple, artisan-like knob and humanoid cave atmosphere, the R1T's cabin has an almost Scandinavian style of refined minimalism, with clean lines, recycled materials, perforated wood and a pure white media interface. A translucent UV-proof sunroof casts a soft light of light green light into the cabin.
Like most electric vehicles (EVs), this truck doesn't have a start button – once you're in, it's ready to start. In fact, it has no buttons at all. To be sure, this choice will come under some criticism. The Android-based 16-inch touchscreen is simple and intuitive to use, but it controls everything from side-view mirror adjustment to climate airflow direction. These settings can be stored in the driver profile. This is great for adjusting the steering wheel, seats, and mirrors, but the climate needs to change and it's a bit annoying to have to use the screen for fine-tuning. Inexplicably, there is no travel odometer. After a few minutes of sliding and scrolling, a spokesperson for Rivian told me that it could be a bug that needed to be corrected in the next software fix.
There are also countless driving modes to choose from via the touchscreen, from frugal daily driving to hardcore off-roading and rock climbing. Depending on the mode you're in, the stand-alone air suspension can be adjusted from a low of 200 mm (7.9 in)to a maximum clearance of 381 mm (15 in).
Unfortunately, my three-hour drive through the Michigan countryside gave me no chance to test the R1T's off-road capabilities. Early reports praised the four-motor drive for being able to adjust the torque of each wheel independently – completely eliminating any need for mechanical torque distribution or locking the differential. It is a more efficient and lightweight torque transfer system than traditional mechanical options. The truck's lack of vulnerable drivetrain components in its lower abdomen gives it a competitive edge over its off-road competitors, offering greater clearance and no obstacles other than a smooth, tough ladle.
Like the Ford Bronco, the R1T production model will soon have off-road steering similar to skid steering, enabled by an electric motor in every corner. It's a great feature for serious off-roaders who find themselves in a narrow position, and the system locks in the inner rear wheels and uses them as pivot points.
Impressive road etiquette and amazing acceleration
Most of my driving is on the sidewalk, and the R1T exhibits impressive road etiquette. Pickup trucks aren't known for their handling power, but the R1T has proven to be well balanced and combined on rough roads and corners. The battery pack integrated in the frame provides a rugged base with a low center of gravity and is enhanced by a separate self-leveling air suspension, active damping and electro-hydraulic roll control instead of a mechanical anti-roll bar. The steering feels good and the weight is just right for a vehicle of this size.
The acceleration is simply amazing. Pressing the accelerator pedal produces disorienting instantaneous rocket launch velocities. Mechanical brakes are competent, but for everyday driving, regenerative braking systems are easily adapted to single-pedal driving; the accelerator is lifted and the vehicle slows down at a smooth and comfortable speed.
Final thoughts
Rivian remains an unknown entity, competing with trucks with more than a hundred years of history. But with its amazing power and amazing off-road capabilities, the Rivian R1T may only appeal to some traditionalists away from their fuel consumption.
While deliveries to Canada won't start until this summer, you can order online and pay a refundable deposit of $1,500. Prices start at $90,000.