2023 Rivian R1T Truck Performance

The automaker claims that the 835-hp quad-motor Rivian R1T's 0-60 sprint takes only three seconds and various independent tests have measured this figure to be anything from 3.1 to 3.3 seconds, so it's certainly rapid. Top speed is limited to 110 mph. The 600-hp dual-motor R1T completes the test in a claimed 4.5 seconds, which will be more than fast enough for most people. An enhanced 700-hp dual-motor configuration will come later, which will cut down the sprint to a claimed 3.5 seconds. Off-road ability is extremely good, with up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance with the standard air suspension (developed with the help of McLaren) in its highest setting. AWD is, naturally, standard on all trims, and the quad-motor's all-wheel-drive system has a motor per wheel. Trailering is a high point, and the R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds - albeit at the cost of range. Various drive modes are included to optimize vehicle settings for the circumstances at hand, and their names are pretty self-explanatory: All Purpose, Sport, Off-Road Auto, Off-Road Rock Crawl, Off-Road Rally, Conserve, and Tow. For 2023, Rivian is adding additional modes via over-the-air updates, including Snow, Soft Sand, Pet Comfort, and Camp mode.

The standard dual-motor electric motors in the Rivian R1T develop a total of 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, but an enhanced version of the dual-motor setup with 700 hp will also become available in due course. The quad-motor R1T powertrain has a motor per wheel, delivering 415 hp and 413 lb-ft to the front axle and 420 hp and 495 lb-ft to the rear axle for a total system output of 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque with finely adjustable independent torque vectoring per wheel. Whatever the setup, a single-speed transmission is used.

The Rivian R1T is at its most efficient on the standard 21-inch wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires, which enables it to return EPA estimates of 76/69/73 MPGe for the city/highway/combined cycles for the quad-motor with the Large 135-kWh battery - the only configuration tested so far. This is good for a range of 328 miles. The estimates drop to 73/63/68 MPGe with the 22-inch tires, and the range drops to 303 miles, while the least efficient configuration is the 20-inch wheels with the all-terrain tires, which further reduces the figures to 69/60/64 MPGe and 289 miles.

Rivian claims that the Standard 105-kWh battery should provide a range of at least 260 miles on the standard 21-inch wheels, while the 180-kWh Max battery should get a maximum of 400 miles. These figures apply to the dual-motor configuration. The quad-motor has access to the Large battery only, while the dual-motor has access to all three batteries.