The Rivian R1T truck is one of the most talked about all-electric trucks. It’s fast, it looks great, and it’s built in America. They’re also pricey premium trucks with interiors and performance to match their $73,000 price tag. But how safe is this premium midsize pickup?
Rivian R1T Earns Top Safety Pick+ Status
The 2022-2023 Rivian R1T recently won a Top Safety Pick + award from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety, which is the highest rating the IIHS gives. To earn recognition, the truck had to score “good” in six test categories. It must also be offered with a forward collision avoidance system that scores Advanced or higher in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.
In the case of the Rivian R1T, it met all the requirements for the top-tier award. Its headlights earned a good rating and its crash-avoidance system earned a top rating from the IIHS. The truck is made of aluminum, steel and carbon fiber. The truck’s batteries are low, so the center of gravity is lower, which helps prevent rollovers.
How much does a Rivian R1T cost?
A Rivian R1T starts at $73,000. However, if you order a Rivian R1T today, you should receive it by the end of 2023. It costs $1,000 to reserve an R1T, but the deposit is refundable if you change your mind.
All Rivian trucks are four-wheel drive with a dual-motor system, but you can order a quad-motor upgrade for $8,000. The standard battery offers 260 miles of range, but the large battery, for $6,000, and the Max battery, for $16,000, can push your range to 400 miles. You can also order 20- or 22-inch wheels, as well as underbody skid plates, camping gear, tonneau covers, and more.
How fast is a Rivian truck?
The Rivian R1T comes in two flavors, the dual motor and the quad motor versions. The four-motor system uses one motor for each wheel. The front axle, then, gets 415 horsepower, while the rears get 420 horsepower, for a total of 835 horsepower and a diesel-rivaling 908 lb-ft of torque. According to Rivian, it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in three seconds. It is also faster than the Hummer EV truck.
The twin-motor version offers 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. The company says it can run to 60 in 4.5 seconds. However, either version can tow up to 11,000 pounds.
Who makes the Rivian truck?
Rivian Automotive, Inc. is a new manufacturer based in Irvine, California. Its shares are listed on the NASDAQ in RIVN, so technically you may own some Rivian. It was founded in 2009 by Robert “RJ” Scariange, who was born in 1983.
The company has developed a “skateboard” platform that it uses for its R1S SUV version. That platform has an independent air suspension with six inches of vertical adjustment, so you can crank it up for off-road fun. Although the truck is capable and fast, it’s also winning design awards for its clever packaging.