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The R1T is a battery‑electric luxury light‑duty midsize pickup truck produced by the American company Rivian. It was designed by Jeff Hammoud, a former Chief of Design for Jeep, responsible for the exterior design of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and recipient of the Automotive News All‑Star award for Design.
The version of the R1T reviewed here is the R1T Launch Edition, released for the 2022 and 2023 model years. Equipped with the off‑road package and an 835‑horsepower quad‑motor system powering this almost 7,000‑pound pickup truck, it accelerates from 0–60 mph in about 3 seconds and offers a range of around 320 miles. This makes the truck a notable innovation on the American market.
Although the R1T has several unique characteristics for a pickup truck—such as sports‑car performance and unprecedented cargo volume thanks to the Gear Tunnel—the concept itself is not entirely new in the United States. However, for me as a European, this vehicle was a unique experience. On the European market, pickup trucks and EVs are both relatively uncommon, so an electric pickup truck was surprising to me. Since there are no electric pickup trucks available in Europe, I had to experience this Rivian in the United States.
As a passenger, I immediately noticed the seating quality, something to envy for someone used to European and Japanese cars. The electric adjustable seats were especially relaxing, as manual controls are always frustrating for someone as picky as I am about seating position. Likewise, the premium interior build quality, with wood and Alcantara finishes, creates an experience similar to that of luxury interiors found in brands like Mercedes‑Benz or Porsche.
When the atmosphere of our long trip became too monotonous, music helped keep us engaged. That’s when we realized that the 19‑speaker, 1,200‑watt Meridian audio system was truly spectacular, thanks to its neutrality and highly accurate instrument separation—qualities rarely found in European and Japanese cars. Its quality is comparable to systems such as Audi’s Bose Surround Sound or Volvo’s Harman Kardon Premium Sound.
The ride quality of the Rivian is shaped primarily by its air‑ride suspension system, which allows the truck to maintain a controlled and composed feel across a wide range of driving conditions. In its standard ride height, the suspension delivers a firm but settled character, filtering out most road imperfections without the float or rebound typically associated with air‑suspended vehicles. The system’s ability to continuously adjust damping helps the truck remain stable over uneven pavement, reducing body motion and maintaining consistent contact with the road surface.
When set to a lower ride height, the truck gains additional stability and a more planted feel, particularly at highway speeds, where the reduced center of gravity contributes to improved straight‑line confidence. In higher ride‑height settings, the suspension prioritizes obstacle clearance, which introduces slightly more vertical movement but still retains better composure than most off‑road‑oriented pickups. Overall, the air‑ride system gives the R1T Launch Edition a ride quality that balances comfort, precision, and adaptability, making it noticeably smoother than traditional coil‑spring trucks while still capable of handling demanding terrain.
