Rivian R1T: A Beginner's Guide to its Unique Features

The 2023 Rivian R1T is one of the most innovative electric vehicles available today. Here are seven GENIUS features other EV automakers should steal, plus we’ll share a few bonus items Rivian might be wise to borrow from the competition in this truck review.

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⏱️ Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:31 It's a Seat, it's a Step, it's a Tunnel
1:32 Stolen from Rolls-Royce
2:28 Go to Bed!
3:57 Off the Beaten Path
4:44 This Feature Blows
5:51 Easily the BEST Tech
6:35 So Much Powertrain Choice
7:53 Just like a Toyota bZ4X
8:11 Infotainment is Missing THIS
8:36 Minimalism Maximized
9:31 Frunk Failure
10:21 Conclusions

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[sworks]

Love my R1T 8 months of ownership 9k miles not one issue and build quality is top notch!

[manuelias]

The tunnel kind of makes it up for the small bed since you could add some sliders in there and add toolbox. No need to have it in the bed which wastes lots of space

[schlotdoglaser]

I remember RJ saying that the battery pack has 7, 776 cells and with the one in the door makes it 7.777 cells.

[PaulHo]

Some flexible seats like a fold flat front or flip and tumble rear seats, and of course, the 4Runner sliding rear window would be great. An integrated trash can like the Volvo XC40 is so underrated too.

[pting]

I prefer the minimal buttons on the steering instead of the convoluted mess that some other cars have. I don’t need to be able to operate everything at a fingers reach.

[guillaumedep]

Totally agree concerning the lack of physical controls. Having to use a touchscreen for controls in a vehicle implies having to take your eyes off the road and I have never been comfortable with that. The passthrough storage is definitely nice, but a 250 pound weight limit is actually a bit low if you consider both the weight of a person plus anything they might want to lift in or out of the bed. As for the bed itself, this is a sport utility vehicle, not a pickup in that it's relatively small and all those moving bits are problematic. How much fun would it be to clean it after hauling a load of sand, mulch or manure? Even more fun would be changing a tire while fully loaded - just digging it out would be problematic. While I also think the integrated air pump is a nice touch, it's in a place that is fairly likely to get damaged so repairs are likely to be more expensive for that. Plus, having a separate hose adds another point of failure and something else to get lost. I bought a quality pump plus a good jack and other equipment for all my vehicles and those of my kids to deal roadside emergencies - beyond the cheap stuff that vehicle manufacturers provide as a bare minimum. Show me one who provides the same as part of their vehicle sales and I will be seriously impressed.

[ALMXDP]

I remember the first Chevy Colorado work truck had a similar type of gear tunnel. Was a pretty cool solution for keeping tools and equipment dry.

[benjamindbarr]

Lol, unlabeled controls 😂 ... i recently got into a ford for work and got overwhelmed by the amount of buttons, it basically made me realize i cant buy the ford lightning as i have absolutely fallen in love with my wife's Y and its multiuse buttons (a more accurate way to describe rivian buttons as the use changes and unlabeled makes it sound like they always do the same thing and just werent labeled) that cut down on the crap load of buttons you have to familiarize yourself with when you get into a new car.

[pmeisman]

Re: The controls critique - You're old fashioned.😂

[samkeino]

See InsideEVs story from 12/26: "Rivian R1T Owner Says His Truck Has Been Out For Repairs For Eight Months for a damaged side camera"

[StevieB-jjfz]

Good luck changing the tire if the pickup bed is full of stuff

[voxtek]

That bed flapper is a horrible design that allows, water, dirt etc to build up in the bed, rust city here we come. They gotta change that.

[JenoFletter]

The same problem 99% of cars have they are to much money.

[flyingyakdeath]

EPA range ratings are complete bullshit for EVs. The R1T will get 70% of EPA range at best on the highway. If there's ever a scam about EVs it's that parameter.

[flyingyakdeath]

The interior design looks classic Big 3 design. For fat people and a cheesey, cadillac look.