It’s a steep climb up Wise Mountain. At more than 12,000 feet above sea level, the trail that ascends the tree line in the midst of the Rocky Mountains is one of the highest in Colorado. Most gasoline-powered cars here would be wheezing for air, much like those of us visiting from coastal regions, alternately sucking on cans of oxygen and stainless-steel water bottles. But the Rivian R1T electric truck progresses easily and almost silently up the route, with only the sound of crunching rock piercing the morning air.
It’s been a proverbial long climb for the electric-vehicle (EV) startup as well. Founded as Mainstream Motors in 2009 by MIT grad R.J. Scaringe, the company that later became Rivian was easy to dismiss as just another techie pipe dream when it showed a prototype sports car in 2011. In the years that followed, other EV startups appeared and struggled, or disappeared altogether: Nikola, Byton, Faraday Future, Lordstown Motors—all hoping to jump on the Tesla bandwagon and woo drivers with cool designs, name-brand executives and the promise of zero tailpipe emissions.
First Ride: Why the 2022 Zero FXE Electric Motorcycle May Be the Coolest Way to Commute
Genesis Officially Unveils the All-Electric GV60
Watch the All-Electric Rivian R1T Truck Scale Utah's Treacherous 'Hells Gate' Incline With Ease
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
Meanwhile, Scaringe and his team continued to toil, shifting their focus to trucks and utility vehicles and perfecting the marque’s hardware, software and business model. Rivian showed its first truck and SUV at the LA Auto Show in 2018, garnering the attention of not only the media and the public, but also some executives with deep pockets.
Not long after, Rivian got a $700 million investment led by Amazon. Just a few months later, Ford followed with a $500 million infusion, an unusual move considering the stalwart US manufacturer is launching its own lineup of electric vehicles, including the F-150 Lightning which, according to a Rivian spokesperson, shares no components or software with the EV startup.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
On the craggy peaks outside of Breckenridge, a cadre of Rivian employees cheers as our test truck joins them at the summit. They are mostly engineers, with a smattering of designers, marketing executives and public-relations specialists. Not one looks close to 40 years of age, and each seems just as eager to be pushing the R1T to its limits as the small group of journalists invited here to drive. There’s a close-knit, casual, Silicon Valley–esque feel to them, which is not surprising since many of the Rivian group come from outside the automotive world. But it’s also clear that they realize the gravity of this moment, as they sit on the precipice of delivering the first round of vehicles to paying customers.
The Rivian R1T starts with a “skateboard” platform with a battery pack integrated into the vehicle frame. It’s powered by four electric motors—one on each wheel—for a total output of more than 800 hp and 900 ft lbs of torque. At high altitude, electric motors have the advantage of losing less power when the air gets thin compared with their naturally aspirated or turbocharged gas counterparts.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
Towing capacity for the R1T is rated at 11,000 pounds, and its payload capacity is claimed to be 1,760 pounds. Charging can be done with both J-plugs and CCS plugs, with range for the large battery pack estimated at 314 miles. The battery pack and drivetrain are covered by an eight-year/175,000-mile warranty, with a comprehensive warranty of five years/60,000 miles.
Because each wheel is powered independently, the R1T is able to continuously adjust torque and output at each corner, maximizing traction and easily extricating us from piles of loose rocks and slippery mud as we crawl up the trail. A maximum ride height of 14.4 inches helps us clear bigger boulders and rushing streams, with extra protection supplied by the reinforced underbody.
Settings are easy to select, simply tap “Offroad” mode on the large center screen and choose from Auto, Rock Crawl, Rally, or Drift. The regenerative-braking feature, when set to maximum, essentially acts as hill-descent control when going down steep grades. The kind of jostling one gets from a hardcore off-road descent could send some running for the nearest barf bag, but Rivian’s independent air suspension—with active damping, along with an electro-hydraulic roll-control system (in lieu of a mechanical anti-roll bar)—keeps the vehicle stable enough that we don’t need Dramamine (or a chiropractor) after several hours on rough terrain.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
Of course, most R1T owners won’t be taking their trucks to the outer reaches of the wilderness. On the road, the truck is smooth, responsive and quiet, with options to adjust the levels of brake regen and the stiffness of the ride.
Much of what makes the R1T so appealing is its friendly, yet still rugged, design. The aesthetic is a kind of modern-day FJ-Cruiser-meets-Apple store, conceived by Jeff Hammoud, a former Chrysler designer who started with Rivian in 2017. Over hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows the night before our off-road adventure, Hammoud tells us that he and his team wanted to make an impactful statement at first sight, and found inspiration in simplicity and functionality.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
The result is a distinctive design, led by a front face that is approachable and instantly recognizable. One of the key features of the R1T is what Rivian calls the “gear tunnel,” a pass-through storage space between the cabin and the bed that can stash everything from carry-on luggage to the optional camp-kitchen setup—complete with a two-burner induction cooktop and Snow Peak titanium dishes and utensils.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
Inside, matte open-pore wood stretches across the instrument panel. All interior materials are vegan, with the microfiber headliner and textile floor mats made completely from recycled elements. The large, horizontal screen is intuitive and serves as the command center for almost all the vehicle functions. Nearly everything is controlled digitally, even the air vents, which change direction by dragging a finger around on a corresponding screen icon. Other common switches, such as those for the side mirrors, have been replaced by buttons on the steering wheel.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
The R1T isn’t without its flaws, however. We were left shaking our heads at the tiny digital volume slider, which is difficult to modulate on the freeway or when going over bumps, resulting in us accidentally blasting out our passengers more than once. Notably, early versions of other manufacturers’ digital interfaces, including Ford’s SYNC and Cadillac’s CUE, featured touch-sensitive volume sliders but were later swapped with manual knobs due to overwhelming customer feedback.
We also had a couple of screen freezes; once while playing Spotify and another while trying to change drive modes on the trail. On the highway drive, we also were unable to activate the R1T’s lane-centering feature, a glitch that a reboot in a parking lot by a Rivian employee still couldn’t correct.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
We were given the standard disclaimer, however, that these were prototype vehicles, and a Rivian representative tells us that customers awaiting their examples already know there will be some growing pains. He assured us that the ability to collect data from customer vehicles, once they’re on the road, combined with the speed of over-the-air updates, will help any bugs to be promptly squashed.
Photo by Elliot Ross, courtesy of Rivian Automotive LLC.
Rolling off the line now, the first to market will be the $73,000 Launch Edition, all of which have been spoken for. Other versions are expected to be delivered in early 2022. Each customer will be assigned a “Rivian guide” who will assist with everything from the buying process to service and support as long as the customer owns the truck.
Minor on-site service will be done by mobile technicians, while a pickup and delivery option will be offered for more extensive repairs. And a complimentary one-year membership includes unlimited charging on the Rivian network, off-road assistance and access to special events. In all, Rivian may have some further fine-tuning to make but, right now, the R1T is poised to be king of the hill.
Learn more about Robb Report’s 2022 Car of the Year event taking place in Napa Valley here and in Boca Raton here.
The Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast
The World’s Best Superyacht Shipyards
The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht
Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
'Near warp speeds': Grab the gizmo 24,000+ Amazon shoppers depend on to stay connected.
Powerful, attractive and compact, at a price you won't find anywhere else!
This luscious day/night formulation is packed with proven ingredients like vitamins C and E.
Simply add these drops to your moisturizer and smooth on your skin for a natural-looking glow. You have a few more hours to save!
Alex Cooper is preaching a "fake it till you make it" mentality when it comes to confidence, sharing in a recent interview that experiencing bullying and low self-esteem in her past has propelled her path into the spotlight. "When I was younger, I was so invested in having an outlet because I was severely bullied. My escape was going into my basement and picking up a movie camera and producing a music video or a short film. I found a lot of comfort in being able to express myself and feeling not judged," the host and producer of the Call Her Daddy podcast told the New York Times Magazine. "Creating content has always been a form of self-expression that has made me feel seen, that made me feel I am worthy and have something to show that I’m good at."
'Fresh juice wherever you are': Take this cordless cutie to gym, the office, the beach and that Memorial Day BBQ.
Score a cooling memory foam pillow with a massive fanbase for $30 off and a high-powered robovac for nearly 40% off.
"We've turned into a society where our filter is our face," one Texas influencer says.
"The reality of being a teacher is making sure your door can quickly lock in case there is an active threat." A San Antonio teacher has gone viral after sharing how she prepares her classroom for the event of an active shooter.
All the stars are out this long weekend, from Super Mario and Drew Barrymore to The Pioneer Woman. Also sparkling: A stunning necklace for $20, down from $150!
A portable steamer at a 35% discount and mega-popular earbuds for $70 off — there's so much good stuff in the mix!
Finally, a shoe that delivers on its promise.
Time for a tuneup? We've got the keyboard, mouse, and headset you need for ultimate gaming — at a discount!
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shared a leggy, robe-clad selfie in which she's breastfeeding her 3-month-old daughter, Isabella in France, where the supermodel and family stayed for this year's Cannes Film festival.
Freshen up for Memorial Day: Not only do these products mask under-eye circles like champs, they brighten and reduce puffiness too.
A fan-favorite smoker at a 52% discount and pet vac for $50 off — there's so much good stuff in the mix!
Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern revealed some of his favorite kitchen tools. The good news? They can double as the perfect Father's Day gift for all the dads out there. Shop his picks below. Happy Father's Day! Shop the video: La Caja China Roasting Box Kershaw Leek Orange Pocket Knife Fly by Jing Triple Threat Trio of Sauces Yoshikawa Black Steel Beijing Wok Chef Sofi 5 Cup Mortar and Pestle Set
The poly-mesh curtain attaches to the door frame with velcro — no tools needed. See why 35,000 Amazon shoppers are hooked.
Top-rated earbuds for $24, cleaning paste nearly 12,000 folks are obsessed with and a bestselling $22 mini speaker you need now!
Save nearly 60% on this pain-relieving wonder: 'This little pillow has done something no surgery or pill has been able to do.'