Rivian R1T 2022 Review

The phrase "game changer" gets used a lot, and oftentimes it comes wrapped up with a lot of hyperbole. But the 2022 Rivian R1T is indeed a game changer. It's the first vehicle from this American startup automaker, and it's also the first fully electric pickup truck to hit the market, beating both the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck to public streets.

As you might imagine, the R1T is no ordinary pickup. For one, this all-electric machine has four motors, one for each wheel. And its performance specs are impressive. It's built to tow as much as 11,000 pounds. And when it is empty, it can accelerate to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds or cruise more than 300 miles on a full charge. Want to go off-road? There's plenty of clearance to avoid rocks and ruts thanks to short body overhangs, a smooth underbody, and a height-adjustable suspension that allows you to raise the body of the truck when desired.

Sizewise, the R1T is a bit of a tweener. It's not as big as your average 1500 series full-size crew-cab truck, but it's bigger than any crew-cab truck you'll see in the midsize segment. It also comes in just one body configuration with a 4.5-foot cargo bed. That's short even compared to the beds of midsize trucks, but there are some cool storage features you don't get in a traditional truck such as a large front trunk and a so-called gear tunnel. This is a log-shaped enclosed cargo area located between the cargo bed and rear seats that should work well for storing long and thin items such as strollers or golf bags.

The R1T is Rivian's first vehicle to market, and it will soon be followed by the R1S, which is the SUV version of the R1T pickup. There's a lot riding on the R1T's success, and thankfully Rivian has nailed it. Whether you're shopping for a pickup, an EV or both, the R1T is well worth considering. Read our test team's Expert Rating to learn more about its performance, utility, MatoCar-tested real-world range and more.

Which R1T does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Rivian R1T launches in two trim levels broken into packages: Explore and Adventure. A limited-edition Launch Edition version of the Adventure package is also available, but reservations are already full. The R1T is fully electric pickup and is available with two battery sizes: the 135-kWh Large pack, with an EPA-estimated 314 miles of range, and the 180-kWh Max pack with upward of 400 miles of range. All-wheel drive is standard on both models.

Explore The base R1T Explore comes reasonably well equipped from the get-go. Standard features include:

• 21-inch wheels
• Adjustable air suspension
• Panoramic glass roof
• Manual cargo bed cover
• Matte black exterior trim
• Built-in air compressor
• Four 120-volt household-style power outlets
• Simulated seating
• Heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 16-inch touchscreen display

Standard advanced driver aids include:

• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)

The R1T Explore is available with a handful of options such as:

• Off-Road package
• Extra underbody protection
• Front tow hooks
• Camp kitchen (stows in the truck's gear tunnel)
• Truck-mounted three-person tent

Adventure Currently the best-appointed version of the R1T, the Adventure model includes all of the Explore's features, adding:

• Power-operated cargo cover
• Body-colored exterior trim
• Wood interior trim
• Upgraded Meridian audio system
• Ventilated seats
• Microfiber headliner