2025 Rivian R1T Review

Tesla isn’t the only player worth paying attention to within the US electric vehicle (EV) market anymore. Competitors like Rivian and Lucid are working hard to offer attractive fully-electric alternatives, and the 2025 Rivian R1T checks several boxes on MotoPickers’ list of requirements for a quality truck. 

Motopickers Rating: 9.5/10

Rivian’s R1T pickup offers five trims starting at $69,900, with the second-highest grade holding a base price of $99,000. The R1T’s top trim, the R1T Ascend Quad Max, doesn’t list its starting cost but notes deliveries will begin in 2025, and that the model’s $3,000 ordering deposit is fully refundable. 

Our review aims to clarify whether the 2025 Rivian R1T is worth its premium, inside and out. Performance highlights within this vehicle include: 

• Competitive range exceeding 400 miles per charge
• Blistering 0-60 MPH time
• Exceptional towing and payload capacities
• Strong off-roading capabilities with support from multiple drive modes
• Robust powertrains balanced by ride comfort 

This electric pickup truck’s interior boasts innovative storage solutions, like a unique tailgate, which you can adjust to create extra space on demand. Rivian strives to eliminate range anxiety for its customers by supplying access to 32,000 public chargers. Tesla, the leader in US public charging solutions, has 40,000 charging stations by comparison. However, Tesla has been building its charging network since 2012, whereas Rivian began in 2021.

Our review will also examine any potential drawbacks within this vehicle so you can gain a better understanding regarding whether this model is a match for your driving needs. Discover the 2025 Rivian R1T below to set yourself ahead of the curve.

Exterior design overview  

Form and function gracefully collide within the 2025 Rivian R1T’s exterior. This pickup’s bed has enough length to accommodate off-road vehicles like dirt bikes, while a gooseneck tailgate hinge allows you to pull the tailgate down for extra space. 

The R1T’s tailgate dimensions measure: 

• 54.1” length (with tailgate up)
• 83.6” length 
• 51.1” width
• 18.3” height

Panel gaps with a downward tailgate are a thing of the past, thanks to this model’s load-bearing panel, which creates a flat surface for seamless cargo loading and unloading. 

An available powered tonneau cover gives Tesla’s Cybertruck a run for its money in addition to thorough cargo protection. This Tonneau cover is lockable, water-resistant, and built with aluminum panels to provide optimal durability, no matter the forecast.

If you ride without a tonneau cover, the R1T’s corrosion and wear-resistant bed has the makeup to go the extra mile. Rivian supplies 2025 R1T drivers with a 1,764-lb payload supported by tie-downs securing cargo. Drivers can open or close this EV’s tailgate remotely with a bed rail button on the Rivian app or inside the truck, which triggers LED light activation. This capable bed also features a built-in air compressor.

The 2025 Rivian R1T’s nine color options include California Dune, El Cap Granite, Forest Green, Glacier White, LA Silver, Limestone, Midnight, Red Canyon, and Rivian Blue. Exterior materials consist of aluminum alloy, ultra high-strength steel and carbon fiber materials fostering security and comfort. 

Upper bed rails on this pickup feature tie-downs simultaneously acting as cargo crossbar mounting points, while a flat underbody shield provides an extra layer of protection on challenging terrain.

Performance and capabilities 

The foundation of the Rivian R1T’s performance capabilities is its chassis platform, which optimizes handling during cornering with a low center of gravity. With up to 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque, Rivian’s R1T sprints from 0 to 60 MPH in a blazing 2.5 seconds. Its 14.6” maximum ground clearance helps drivers avoid and traverse obstacles during off-roading and ford up to 43.1” of water. 

Independent air suspension allows the R1T to achieve over 6” of vertical ride-height adjustment, facilitating improved stability, aerodynamics, and performance carrying varied payloads. Drivers also receive an automatic ride-height feature for added convenience during demanding tasks like towing up to 11,000 lbs.

Drive modes within this pickup consist of:

• Standard mode (balanced driving)
• Off-road mode
• Rock-crawl mode
• Sand mode
• Tow/haul mode
• Sport mode
• Glacier mode (for navigating snowy or icy terrain)
• Adaptive mode

The 2025 R1T’s maximum range is a whopping 420 miles per full charge. Rivian offers drivers access to over 32,000 public charging stations—half of which are Tesla Superchargers, the industry’s gold standard. Still, Rivian is developing its own signature network, the Rivian Adventure Network, offering up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes alongside priority pricing. Drivers can use Rivian’s app to view charging stops along a navigation route and read other drivers’ reviews on charging locations.

Regarding home charging, the Rivian app allows you to set your battery to stop charging at a certain point and only receive power during off-peak hours for lesser rates. Rivian’s Wall Charger supplies up to 25 miles of range per hour. Protecting your battery is of utmost importance when driving an EV, so Rivian provides R1T drivers with a water-submersible battery pack. 

Interior design and comfort 

Rivian reflects the R1T’s premium status within its cabin using high-end touches like solid wood accents and a panoramic glass roof with UV ray protection. This EV’s materials, such as plaid textiles and bronze finishes, are easy to clean and inspired by nature. 

The R1T can accommodate up to five passengers and three car seats. Rear passengers in this pickup get the first-row treatment, as heated seats are standard in each row. The R1T’s front seats are also ventilated, while drivers receive additional comfort via a heated steering wheel and a customizable seating profile that stores their preferences. Rivian has verified each of the R1T’s seats’ durability to simulate 150,000 miles of usage.

Storage and utility

The 2025 Rivian R1T has some of the most innovative and comprehensive storage solutions available in the market. These offerings include a lockable center console, hidden storage compartments under the rear seats, and within door panels. However, our favorite cargo area is this EV’s gear tunnel, which exists below the bed and in front of the rear wheels.

This lockable and watertight gear tunnel provides an additional 11.7 cu. ft. of storage via 65” of length and 18.3” of height. LED lights inside the tunnel make organizing your storage seamless, while 120V and 12V plugs emphasize utility. R1T drivers can open or close their gear tunnel with the Rivian app, inside their truck, or by using buttons on its bed rail.

Many modern EVs use their designs with fewer moving parts to fit a frunk (front trunk). The 2025 R1T’s lockable frunk accommodates 9.9 cu. ft. of cargo while boasting automatic lights, cargo nets, and an easy-to-clean design with a bottom valve opening to the ground below for rinsing. This pickup’s bed also contains a hidden tailgate space for a full-sized spare tire. 

Tech analysis

One of the first things you’ll notice when stepping into the 2025 R1T is its 15.6” display, a bit smaller than the one in Tesla’s Cybertruck, measuring 18.5”. Rivian’s display streamlines the delivery of vital information like your current drive mode, replays of live road moments via advanced exterior cameras, and more.

Rear-row R1T passengers receive their own display for adjusting settings like climate, music, and hotspot connectivity. This electric pickup’s standard sound system features a 600W amp, 10 speakers, full EQ fade, and balance controls for more immersion. However, Rivian uses its in-house infotainment system instead of popular platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which may disappoint some. Drivers will receive continuous wireless audio system updates from Rivian.

If you’re camping, the R1T boasts a portable camp speaker with lantern and power bank compatibility that fits under the center console. This EV also offers Camp mode, which optimizes the truck’s energy management to provide a basecamp for additional connectivity using three 120V outlets, six USB charging points, and one built-in flashlight with up to 1,000 hours of battery life.

Other lifestyle modes like Pet mode help you step away from your vehicle without endangering your animal’s health while it’s inside the cabin.

Safety features 

You more than get your money’s worth when it comes to the 2025 R1T’s safety capabilities. This rugged yet luxurious EV boasts over 20 safety features using 12 cameras, 38 ultrasonic sensors, software, and radars, which translate to increased brake, steering, and motor control.

One of these features includes aerial view, which projects a digital birds-eye view of your vehicle’s surroundings onto the center display. Forward collision warning within the R1T uses automatic and dynamic brake support to ensure you respond to people nearby, cars, and pedestrians. When exiting parking spaces, surround sensors facilitate this EV’s ability to identify and notify you of approaching rear-cross traffic.

Additional standard safety features within the R1T include, but aren’t limited to:

• Rain-detecting variable intermittent wipers
• SOS emergency response
• Tire mobility kit
• Six front-row and two side-curtain airbags
• Lane-keeping assist
• Automatic high beams 
• Highway assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Anti-roll control 

Blind-spot monitoring sharpens your road awareness, helping you achieve seamless lane changes. At the same time, anti-roll control stiffens up your suspension on roads and softens during off-roading to provide more stable handling.

Trim buying guide

Let’s take a closer look at starting prices and performance highlights within each of the R1T’s five trims. 

R1T Adventure (Dual Standard) – $69,900

An entry-level 2025 Rivian R1T provides plenty of value with up to 533 horsepower, a 4.5-second 0 to 60 MPH time, and a 270-mile range.

R1T Adventure (Dual Large) – $76,900

Moving into R1T Adventure Dual Large territory increases your horsepower and range to 665 and 330 miles, respectively, and lowers the model’s 0 to 60 MPH time from 4.5 seconds to 3.4 seconds. 

R1T Adventure (Dual Max) – $83,900

Range is the primary difference between the R1T Adventure Dual Large and Dual Max trims. The Dual Max variant offers 420 miles of range per full charge. 

R1T Ascend (Tri Max) – $99,900

The R1T Ascend Tri Max has less range than the R1T Adventure Dual Max at 380 miles, but reduces your 0 to 60 MPH time from 3.4 seconds to 2.9 via 850 horsepower.

R1T Ascend (Quad Max) – inquire for price

The peak R1T Ascend Quad Max trim delivers over 1,000 horsepower, which fosters an exceptional 0 to 60 MPH time of 2.5 seconds.

Final verdict

We typically include real-world owner feedback within our reviews for more objective evaluations. However, the 2025 R1T has only just begun deliveries this summer, so we’ll need more time before a sufficient number of customer responses arrive. 

Still, the 2025 Rivian R1T is an exceptional vehicle, and we believe it’s a better buy than Tesla’s Cybertruck. While Tesla is releasing new Cybertruck variants in 2025, like the rear-wheel drive (RWD) grade with a $60,900 starting price, current versions cost between $100,000-$120,000. The R1T’s base price costs around $9,000 more than the upcoming RWD Cybertruck and offers a sharper 0 to 60 MPH time that’s 2.5 seconds faster.

The Cybertruck shares some of the R1T’s most attractive features, like a tonneau cover. Still, some Tesla customers have noted that some Cybertruck have contained panel gaps in areas like the tonneau cover, reducing the vehicle’s outside form and function. Tesla released its Cybertruck in November after years of delays, whereas Rivian has been optimizing its R1T since the first model rolled off its production lines in 2021. 

Rivian has also placed extraordinary attention on enhancing this electric pickup truck’s value with distinctive standard accessories, such as the flashlight with up to 1,000 hours of battery life and the portable speaker, which also doubles as a lantern or power supply.

The R1T is also extremely durable, as any quality pickup truck should be, with its use of an underbody shield, easy-to-clean seating and storage space materials, and suspension making real-time adjustments for premiere road comfort and stability. Creative storage spaces, quality ranges, a luxurious design, and robust performance are why MotoPickers is rating the 2024 Rivian R1T a stellar 9.5/10.