It seems that Tesla has finally managed to get it ducks in a row and can start delivering its electric pickup truck by 2023. You remember that, right? The one that Elon Musk said was indestructible, and it took a single softball throw to prove otherwise. Now that their production is back at appreciable levels, we might see some of these pave the roads soon. However, the delays in production have allowed several competitors to catch up, offering their own alternatives that might prove better than Tesla's alien ship-like ground vehicle. One notable contender is the Rivian R1T.
A Brief Background
While Tesla has been struggling with keeping their employees from unionizing and silently paying off witnesses of sexual abuse, Rivian has emerged as a reliable startup from Silicon Valley. It's led by people who actually know what they're doing, instead of spoiled brats who spend their time with wasteful stunts to maintain a stock bubble.
The CEO of Rivian, RJ Scaringe, started out by restoring classic vehicles in his neighbor's garage. Pretty soon, he took it upon himself to develop a company solely dedicated for eco-friendly electric vehicles. The first glimpse of the Rivian R1T, their electric pickup, came about in 2019. It made quite a buzz with its prototype, and those who booked it received the first pieces in 2022. Rivian has received the feedback and announced for further improvements in 2024. In stark contrast, even those who ordered their cybertrucks in 2020 won't get deliveries by at least 2024.
Why EV Pickups?
There are still several misguided preconceptions when it comes to electric vehicles, particularly with their performance. You see, unlike internal combustion engines, there are only two moving parts within an EV: The motor and transmission drive. That might look good on paper for smaller vehicles like sedans and hatchbacks, but create a lot of issues for larger trucks. Engineers have to account for the precise output of torque at each rpm, as you can't just deliver maximum power at zero rpm. Ever wondered why 18-wheelers have so many gear shifts?
Therefore, if you want to expand the green energy revolution to heavier vehicles, you need innovative solutions to power heavy vehicles that constitute a critical part of any supply change. According to the American Trucking Association, roughly 72% of tonnage by weight is handled by trucks. So, you can damage the economy to quite an extent if you get it wrong the first time.
In addition to commercial activity, pickups are also regarded as the perfect American recreational vehicles. If you plan an excursion into the wilds of Yellowstone or a cross-country trip to reach a major convention, a pickup truck can suit most of your cargo and passenger needs. Thus, having one that can charge within a reasonable time can be game-changer.
Tesla Cybertruck Overview
Much like the Model Y, Tesla uses a frame-over-body structure for the Cybertruck. That means that the more rigid part of the structure goes over the frame. That keeps most of the impact to the outside of the body without affecting the comfort or handling. The structure is further reinforced with polymer-layered explosion-proof glass to increase the structural integrity even further.
The power source is a lithium-ion battery that Tesla claims can provide the range of about 500 miles. The Cybertruck shall be available in a single-motor, dual-motor, and tri-motor variants, starting for as low as $39,900. Tesla claims that it will have precision car-like steering, although that could only be realized after the first one ships off to an independent reviewer. The same goes with the on-board computer managing the truck's systems according to the terrain, and the advanced infotainment.
Rivian R1T Overview
The Rivian has a bit more going for it, mostly because there have been trims in the real world, with both the reviewers and customers having received their respective vehicles. And they have been vocal with their feedback. The R1T gains points for its performance, cost-effectiveness, and high degree of customization. So much so that many customers have moved to it after permanently retiring their Ford F-150 or the Ram 1500.
While it doesn't capture the cyberpunk look, it more than makes up for it in utility. You can tow up to 11,000 pounds from it, and it won't run out of juice until after at least 300 miles. You can charge it from any electric car charger (unlike Tesla that only works with its Supercharger network) and be on your way within a short while. Moreover, the interior favors function over form, as you'll find out later in this article.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Now, it's time to take both these trucks toe-to-toe, finding out which one has the edge in different criteria.
Performance
The R1T actually surprised everyone with its blistering acceleration. Car and Driver marks it as the quickest pickup they have tested to date. It goes from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, bringing supercar-level numbers to segment most associated with towing tent houses. And it doesn't disappoint with the handling, either. Even with a ladder-frame chassis, it can keep a tight turning diameter, thanks to an electrically-assisted power steering and a balanced frame.
Moreover, there are options for off-road tires and a carbon underframe to improve its performance in the absence of a tarmac. Rivian claims that the R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1760 pounds. That's quite close to the test results obtained by reviewers, many of whom praise the R1T for its substantial capacity to drag a full-sized caravan for more than 100 miles.
As for the Cybertruck, there are only a few people who have even tested it up close. Therefore, there aren't a diverse data pool to draw from. The most promising numbers state that a Cybertruck loaded with a tri-motor configuration can go from 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds. That drags out to 6 seconds with a single-motor trim. Tesla claims that the top tri-motor trim can tow up to 14,000 pounds, with a cargo capacity of 3500 pounds. If so, then it pretty much leaves the Ram 1500 struggling in the rearview mirror. Yet, it's best to wait for a few more third-party reviews before believing those numbers at face value.
Battery Charge and Mileage
For any electric vehicle, the residual charge and range left is a source of anxiety for most owners. Not so much with the Rivian R1T. You can drive for about 312 miles in 'Conserve' mode before needing a recharge. If you have access to a fast DC charger, you can get the battery back up to 80% within 20 minutes. Rivian also gives you the option to recharge the R1T from any regular wall socket, although it might take up to 9 hours for a complete recharge, depending upon the output voltage.
On the other hand, you can only use authorized Tesla Superchargers for the Cybertruck. While you might not encounter much trouble finding one, it's still quite a limitation as other DC chargers offer far more flexibility with their payment plans and are compatible with various other manufacturers. Still, you can charge the Cybertruck for 10 minutes to gain 100 miles of range, achieving a full charge in less than 40 minutes. Depending on the variant, the battery pack delivers a range of anywhere from 250 to 500 miles.
Exterior
Sure, the style of any vehicle is subjective, and there is not much innovation you can perform with a body designed as a pickup. However, both the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck prove that notion dead wrong. But their approach to design couldn't be more different. While the Cybertrucks tries to instill the Blade Runner physique, the Rivian strives for a simple, minimalist visual. The sleek headlights and curvy hood are instanly recognizable from a mile away. It's more practical and allows for more maneuverability around tight corners.
On the flip side, the Cybertruck is all about style and no function. The jagged edges can come in contact with other vehicles and confined streets if you're not careful. Unlike other pickups that have rearview cameras as backups, the Cybertruck needs them to adequately reverse around corners. There are also concerns with the door-sealing mechanism, which makes it impossible to open with any obstruction from the exterior or attach any aftermarket accessories. And the shots you browse of the drones, tents, and bikes cost as much as a new house in Illinois if you want to buy those accessories from Tesla.
None of that is an issue with the R1T. The frame is instantly familiar to anyone working on the F-150, and you'll have no trouble finding compatible aftermarket parts either. You can check out this discussion on the official Rivian forum to understand where you can source aftermarket parts for your electric pickup. In addition, Rivian has various upgrade packages so that customers can obtain any accessories they need.
Interior
On the inside, the Rivian R1T is the perfect combination of form and function. Not only do you get leather seats and multiple interface touchcreens, but also various amenities to make your long drives stress-free. You can avail of a big storage compartment under the dash and a massive trunk within the front hood. The bed has 12 cubic feet of lockable storage to secure stuff, and multiple 110-Volt outlets for convenient power supply.
The infotainment system doesn't disappoint either. A 16-inch central touchscreen lets you work the climate control, media, navigation, and other functions without stuttters. Even the digital display in front of the driver is highly customizable. The only letdown is incompatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have the cabin of the Tesla Cybertruck. While it may look like it's from the future, there are very few practical applications with the touchscreens. Sure, you can play The Witcher 3 on it, but it's quite out of view for the back passengers. Furthermore, the build quality is not at par with other pickups within the similar price range. You can easily observe gaps in the panels that may leak water and dust over time.
Despite its massive size, the cybertruck is quite tight for cargo space. Tesla claims that the bed offers more than 100 cubic feet of storage space, yet there are no figures for the hood trunk or the dashboard. The 17-inch touchscreen is the largest you're gonna get in the segment, but the digital display in front of the driver is not customizable. Still, you can get a HUD version to make it more visible when looking out the windshield.
Ownership and Maintenance Experience
It's an essential part for any pickup truck, since you don't want your multi-ton vehicle to break down halfway in the middle of nowhere. Additionally, the truck's upkeep shouldn't cost you the equivalent of a new sedan. The Rivian R1T performs well on both those fronts. The company offers a generous bumper-to-bumper warranty of five years or 60,000 miles, which can be transferred among users. You also get a battery and drivetrain warranty of 8 years or 175,000 miles, which pretty much ensures that the truck shall remain in optimal condition for about a decade.
There are benefits with maintenance as well. Although electric vehicles don't require oil and filter changes, you can still contact the company for any replacement parts and they'll schedule a quick service right at your doorstep. The NHTSA has also given the R1T excellent scores, and you get lane-keep assist, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control on all trims.
You can't feel as safe within the Tesla Cybertruck, particularly if you've signed on for the Autopilot that costs an extra 15 grand. Given that it's not even able to detect children, we'll advise you to stay far away from it. Although, other features such as lane-departure warning and emergency braking assist.
In terms of maintenance, Tesla wins over Rivian by offering unlimited miles and eight years on the battery and drivetrain. Nevertheless, people have reported troubles with the batteries that they ended up paying for. So, you should expect a lot of asterisks with any warranty you receive. There have also been no record of any crash tests with the IIHS or the NHTSA.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Rivian R1T is a much better deal. You get more for your money along with reliable figures verified by owners and reviewers alike. The best part is that it has already been around for a few years, and the company is optimizing the design with each iteration. For the cybertruck, you'll be added to a waiting list that keeps prolonging with each failure Elon Musk encounters as he tries to maintain his stock bubble. God help those who won't receive their pre-booked Cybertruck when it finally bursts.
