WHAT WE LEARNED AFTER TESTING A RIVIAN R1T FOR 40,000 MILES

EV Channels Review

After 40,000 miles and 19 months of testing, the Rivian R1T proves to be a remarkably reliable and fun electric pickup, especially considering it's a first-generation product from a newer automaker. The "Large Pack" quad-motor variant, with its 835 horsepower and 3.1-second 0-60 mph time, offers exhilarating performance. The vehicle's utility shines through its innovative features like the gear tunnel kitchen and the optional rooftop tent, enhancing the camping experience. Over-the-air updates have significantly improved the user experience, addressing initial quirks like squeaky air doors. While charging costs were reasonable ($6,000 for 40,000 miles compared to $16,000 for a Ram TRX), DC fast charging averaged 115 kW (peak 220 kW) and took 59 minutes for a 10-90% charge. Real-world range when towing a project car dropped from a highway average of 250 miles to 130 miles. Positives include a comfortable ride, excellent camp modes, and the integration with the Tesla Supercharger network. However, frustrations arose with an unreliable key fob, a clunky UI that lacks physical buttons and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and a body panel gap issue on the gear tunnel. Despite these shortcomings, the R1T's reliability and enjoyable driving dynamics make it a compelling, albeit expensive, option.