Rivian was founded in 2009, positioning them among early leaders of the EV industry. By 2011 they began focusing on autonomous electric vehicles and in 2015 research facilities opened in Michigan and the Bay Area. In recent years they have been linked to Ford and Amazon. In fact, much of the progress Ford has made in the EV market can be attributed to Rivian. So with excitement we draw attention to two new 2021 vehicles scheduled for production by Rivian – the Rivian R1S SUV and the Rivian R1T truck. Let’s check them out!
Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S SUV starts at $70,000. That may seem like a typical price for an electric SUV, but when you figure in the vehicle’s off-road capabilities you may no longer think so. For example the baseline 2024 Hummer EV is starting at about $80,000, and quite frankly, the Rivian R1S seems to be offering more for your buck. Not only is the Hummer set at a higher price, the features on the Rivian SUV match more closely to the more expensive 2021 Hummer EV, which starts at $112,000. So let’s take a closer look at the Rivian R1S.
The R1S is designed with 4 electric motors, goes 0-60mph in 3 seconds and gives 300+ miles of range. It has a full towing capacity of 7,700lbs, which drops the range by about 50%. One motor on each wheel provides strong maneuverability, which enhances the off-road features. With 14” of ground clearance, a 3ft wading depth, 100% grade rock crawl and low center of gravity, you can take this sporty SUV on your greatest adventures.
On the inside you’ll find what Rivian refers to as “adventure proof” interior. Notable features include 7 seat capacity and a glass headliner. The extensive driver assistance features are what one may expect from a company long dedicated to self driving research. But how does the Rivian SUV compare to the Rivian truck?
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T starts at $67,500. Like the SUV it has 4 electric motors, goes 0-60 in as little as 3 seconds and has about a 300mi range. The R1T truck also has a wading depth of 3ft, 14” of ground clearance, low center of gravity and 100% grade rock crawl capability. The “adventure proof” interior, glass headliner and driver assistance features are also standard on the R1T. Just like the R1S, the quad motors provide strong maneuverability. What’s different from the SUV, besides the obvious? Plenty.
The truck is a 5 seater and the towing capability is increased to 11,000lbs. Rivian has also strategically placed the stereo speakers to create what they call “three-dimensional” sound. While these are typical features of a truck, there are some that are not. For example the gear tunnel. The gear tunnel, just as the name suggest, runs from one side of the truck to the other. Don’t know where to put your soaked wetsuit or ski boots? Now you can secure them safely between the back seat and the wheels. In addition to this extra space, there is no front engine, giving the truck a total of 68 cubic ft of storage.
Are you constantly having to hunt around for an outlet at construction sites or haul large batteries around? Not anymore. This is a huge perk of electric trucks and Rivian has maximized it by including three 12V and four 110V outlets, two of which are located in the bed of the truck.
R1T Accessories & Delivery Schedule
Remember that gear tunnel we talked about? Well it turns out Rivian has bigger plans for it than mere storage. What accessory would you want to pull out on a whim? You probably never even considered a full kitchen, but that’s the super cool option Rivian is offering first. According to Rivian, more options are soon to follow.
The R1S SUV and R1T Truck are promising EVs. The R1T creates a lot of buzz at the auto shows and we’re excited to finally see it in action! Rivian is scheduled to begin R1T and R1S deliveries by June of this year.
