Is the 2023 Rivian R1T a Good Electric Pickup Truck? 6 Pros, 5 Cons

A fully electric pickup truck from a new manufacturer, the Rivian R1T is an impressive first offering. Luxurious, distinctively styled and expensive, it competes with other electric pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV and Tesla Cybertruck, but in a more manageable size that’s easier to park and live with.

Related: 2023 Rivian R1T Review: Not the Biggest Luxury Electric Truck, But Maybe the Best

Designed and built in the U.S., the R1T is impressively refined and comfortable, with a well-finished and high-quality interior. Sized more like a full-size pickup from 20 years ago, it’s equally impressive from behind the wheel and offers quick acceleration and excellent driving dynamics. The Rivian is also a workhorse and has good towing and off-road capability. There’s even an SUV version, the R1S, for customers who are more concerned with carrying passengers than cargo.

Not all is perfect with the upstart manufacturer’s first effort, however. Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman had a chance to get thoroughly acquainted with a 2023 Rivian R1T. You can read all about it by tapping the link above for his expert review; for a quicker rundown, read on for six things we like about the R1T and five things we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Just the Right Size

In an age of supersize pickups from mainstream manufacturers, the Rivian refreshingly feels just right. Big enough for five occupants to ride comfortably and with a thoughtfully designed bed that offers decent space, the R1T is larger than a Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger, yet easier to maneuver than its full-size competitors.

2. Clever Storage

Up front, there’s a spacious cargo compartment where the engine would be in a conventional pickup, with powered access and enough secure storage to accommodate several suitcases. In back, the cargo bed is equipped with an underfloor compartment that has a drain plug for wet gear. There’s also a full-width gear tunnel under the cab that’s big enough for a set of golf clubs or an optional slide-out camp kitchen.

3. Off-Road Ready

An available All-Terrain Upgrade Package adds underbody protection and beefier 20-inch tires with a more aggressive tread pattern for traction in the rough stuff. Additionally, an onboard air compressor makes it easy to reinflate the tires once it’s time to get back on the road after an off-roading adventure.

4. Luxurious Interior

The Rivian helps justify its lofty price tag with an appropriately posh and airy interior that looks and feels top notch. Vegan “leather” could pass for the real thing, while other details include real ash wood and metal trim. The front seats are firm and comfortable, and rear-seat passengers will find plenty of leg- and headroom even with the full-length glass roof panel.

5. Potent Powertrain

Powertrain choices include dual or quad electric motors, with anywhere from 533 to 835 horsepower. All come with all-wheel drive and provide plenty of motivation. The least powerful choice can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, according to Rivian, while the quickest can do the same in three seconds flat. Range varies from 274 miles to up to 400, and the R1T is rated to tow up to 11,000 pounds.

6. Impressive Ride and Handling

An adjustable air suspension helps make this heavy truck surprisingly civilized for its size, giving it an impressive combination of ride comfort and responsive handling. Steering feel is excellent, and there’s little body lean in corners. Overall, the R1T rides and handles better than might be expected from any pickup truck.

More From Cars.com:

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• Which Electric Vehicles Can Tow?
• Rivian Joins Ford, GM in Providing Access to Tesla Superchargers
• Rivian R1T Tops Tesla in J.D. Power EV Owner Satisfaction Survey
• Research the Rivian R1T

Things We Don’t Like

1. No Knobs

Like many EVs, the Rivian forgoes physical knobs and buttons for touchscreen controls, with mixed results. While the 16-inch central display is huge and well organized, there isn’t any haptic feedback to inputs, which means you have to take your eyes off the road even for something as basic as changing the audio volume.

2. Ergonomic Errors

Some interior controls leave room for improvement, including the single stalk used for both wipers and headlights. Both that and steering-wheel buttons are unlit, meaning you’ll want to memorize their operation before driving at night. There’s also no glove compartment, which is an unusual omission.

3. No Smartphone Mirroring

Rivian offers neither Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay compatibility, something that may be a big concern for many buyers. That said, the Rivian navigation system isn’t bad, and the R1T offers multiple options for streaming audio, including Spotify or Bluetooth audio from your phone.

4. Growing Pains

A close look reveals that as good as this first effort from a startup automaker is, it’s still a first effort. The R1T’s body panel fits are less than perfect, and some trim and details like the Rivian script on the truck’s flanks aren’t quite laser-straight. In fairness, these are minor gripes you have to look closely to see.

5. Price

A base Rivian R1T starts at about $73,000, rising to about $20,000 more for a Quad-Motor model with the Large battery pack. Opting for the Performance Dual-Motor variant gets you closer to a six-figure sticker price, and selecting the Max battery pack adds another $16,000. The good news is that models priced at less than $80,000 are still eligible for a 50% federal tax credit as of this writing.

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