After multiple delays, the very first vehicle from Ford-backed EV upstart Rivian – the 2022 Rivian R1T – has finally launched, becoming the first all-electric pickup on the market and beating rivals including the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Lordstown Endurance, Chevy Silverado EV, and GMC Hummer EV. The pickup also recently received its official EPA rating, which beat the automaker’s original estimate of 300 miles with an official range of 314 miles. Now, reviews of the 2022 Rivian R1T are beginning to roll in, and they’re quite positive across the board, much like reviews of the 2021 Ford Bronco from this past summer.
First up, we have Derek Powell from Car and Driver, who notes that the R1T is a jack of all trades, unlike pretty much every other vehicle on the market today, saying it “accelerates like a Corvette, off-roads like a Power Wagon, and includes a kitchen sink.”
“The Rivian R1T pickup is a conundrum of sorts,” Powell says. “It’s a high-horsepower heavyweight that can sprint to 60 mph in an estimated three seconds flat yet also tow up to 11,000 pounds. That those mutually exclusive performance figures exist in the same vehicle – an EV, no less – garners sufficient attention. But the real revelation is that the R1T embodies a similar dichotomy in all aspects of the driving experience both on the road and off.”
James Gilboy of The Drive believes the R1T is a true disruption in the automotive industry, one that is the first in what promises to be a long line of electric pickups.
“There isn’t (yet) another truck out there that’s both this capable, easy, and tranquil off-road and so good on it, be it for raising or easing your heart rate,” Gilboy said. “Its styling is outstanding, the thoughtful design of its storage and accessories will be catnip to adventurers, and its build quality inspires confidence.”
Many weren’t expecting the R1T to be this great, as it is, after all, the first all-electric pickup to market from an essentially brand new automotive manufacturer. But as Antuan Goodwin from Road Show notes, it’s “not just the first battery-powered light-duty pickup, it’s also just a really good truck.”
“The wait for the electric truck is over; it’s here and there will be more to follow when the F-150 Lightning, GMC’s Hummer, the electric Chevy Silverado, and eventually the Cybertruck join the market over the coming years,” Goodwin said. “As the first vanguard of this growing class, was the Rivian R1T worth the wait? Most definitely. It’s powerful and confident on the road and more than capable enough to do truck stuff on the trail. The 2022 Rivian R1T is not just the first electric truck, it’s a really good truck. Full stop.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how those upcoming electric pickups measure up to the R1T, but one thing is abundantly clear from these and other reviews floating around the web – the bar has already been set pretty high.
We’ll have more on the R1T soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Rivian news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
I’m always skeptical of these initial reviews since they are being wined and dined by the auto company typically, and they make sure they have you drive them on perfect routes. But it does genuinely seem to be a cool product. I think their key will be their distribution network, can they get it in front of enough consumers to drive the sales. I feel there’s a limit to how many people will blindly order a vehicle online, but who knows I could be wrong.
Could you imagine seeing this parked in your driveway or garage everyday for the next few years? Not me. Just looking at this thing makes me want to puke. Did they hire someone from Honda to design engineer this thing? Looks like a Ridgeline. At least I give Tesla some credit for making a vehicle that at least looks good. Even though the Tesla is a huge piece of crap. No thanks. I give this thing a great big FAIL. From the voice of Chris Berman,” C’mon Man”.
I think this is one of the best looking trucks there is. And not even just electric I mean trucks in general I love it. And there suv is awesome to. I’m not an ev fan but I love these.
Just goes to prove that there’s no accounting for taste.
Right because only your opinion of what looks good matters I got it.
There is a look about the front that reminds me of the Edsel. I will give it a couple years. It does look somewhat 2nd. Generation Ridgeline like. If it looked more like first Gen. I could live with it. Still not sold on electric, if you crunch the #s they cost 5 times as much to fuel over a gas engine. They merely shift the point of emission from the road to generation plant.
Alright, I’ll bite. How do you figure this truck costs 5 times more to fuel than a truck that gets 20MPG?
Oh I didn’t realize you spoke for every single person I’m sorry sir now I know thanks. 🙂
So sorry Danny. 90% the time ‘Ford Authority’ (oxymoron) deletes or censors my comments, but obviously y’all are still entitled y’all’s own.
I saw it before they deleted it. I have commented on other things to and mine have also been deleted. It’s really weird considering nobody is cussing or saying anything that could be “offensive” to someone. But no worries bro we all have different opinions this vehicle is to expensive for me anyways