Two years after leaving with that Motor Authority Best Car to Buy 2022 Award, the Rivian R1T still leaves me in awe.
The most versatile vehicle for sale today has gotten better over time, with updated software and user-friendly, information-rich interfaces, but still offers tons of performance and the most innovative packaging money can buy. And Rivian has added a wider range of additional battery pack sizes and motor configurations.
But there is room for improvement in smartphone integration; There are no limited-slip differentials on dual-motor models. and a handful of usability problems in everyday situations were resolved.
Here are the pros and cons of the 2024 Rivian R1T Dual Motor Performance Max Package after spending a week revisiting our award winner in its current form.
2024 Rivian R1T
Pro: Rivian R1T Dual-Motor Performance offers plenty of power
The four-engine R1T the automaker launched with is unnecessarily quick at 835 horsepower, capable of 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to pay today’s $8,000 premium for the four-motor setup provided by Bosch, but the new, self-designed and built Rivian dual-motor setup is more than sufficient. With its 533 horsepower, Rivian can sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. My tester was the Performance Dual-Motor model, which costs $5,000 more for software tweaks to the dual-motor powertrain, with 665 horsepower and a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.5 seconds. That’s half a second faster than the four-motor model and it’s more efficient too. In the real world, going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds is pretty damn quick in a vehicle that weighs about 7,000 pounds. It’s still rated to tow 11,000 pounds, saving you money. It can also be equipped with my tester’s larger 141 kWh (usable) battery, while four-engine trucks are only available with the large 131 kWh battery.
2024 Rivian R1T
Disadvantage: The Rivian R1T Performance Dual engine lacks locking differentials
In an odd packaging decision, Rivian chose not to include front or rear mechanical locking differentials on the dual-motor R1T. Models with four motors do not require locks because each wheel has its own electric motor. However, dual-motor models rely on a lackluster brake-based setup. This system relies on software to operate the brakes to control power distribution and maintain forward motion in slippery situations and off-road. For demanding off-road driving, this makes the quad motor model more attractive than the dual motor models. The Tesla Cybertruck has locking differentials, but currently the unfinished truck sold to customers has the hardware but not the software to actually activate the lockers.
2024 Rivian R1T
Pros and Cons: R1T configurations add range, money and confusion
Rivian has expanded the R1T’s offerings with three powertrains and now four battery pack sizes, including base Standard with 106 kWh, Standard+ for $3,100 with 121 kWh, Large for $9,100 with 131 kWh, and my tester’s Max package for $19,100 with 141 kWh. Because all packs share the same battery chemistry and the previously announced LFP batteries are not yet available, build options have become complicated and confusing. The size of the battery packs feels like splitting hairs.
The performance dual-motor powertrain tested cannot be combined with the standard package, but can be combined with the other three for an equivalent range of 315 miles, 352 miles and 410 miles. It seems like it should just be the standard powertrain since it’s just software and brings Sport mode with it.
It’s great that Rivian offers buyers an EPA-estimated range of up to 410 miles, but the value of the Max package is questionable for anyone who doesn’t live in extreme cold, take long road trips, or tow. Larger packs mean heavier trucks that are constantly lugging around extra batteries. The best advice here is to buy what you need and be clear about the wheel and tire configurations. While 21-inch wheels with on-road tires are standard, available 22-inch on-road tires or 20-inch off-road tires reduce range. My tester was equipped with the $3,850 All-Terrain package, which included the 20-inch wheels, Pirelli All-Terrain tires, skid plates, and a matching spare tire that my tester was missing; The EPA estimated range was 355 miles. The Rivian averaged 1.9 kWh/mile (according to the truck) in cool temperatures that dipped into the low 20s at night and breached nearly 40 degrees during the day.
2024 Rivian R1T
Pro: Rivian R1T updated with information-rich interfaces
Since Rivian launched the R1T, some sides of the truck’s 15.6-inch touchscreen, which dominates the dashboard, have been reworked. The Drive Mode screen can now be swiped to the left and the screen will be populated with data including specific engine temperatures, battery pack temperature, individual tire temperature, steering angle, altitude, compass, trip computer and trailer settings. This is all done while maintaining quick and instant access to the climate control settings. Additionally, all displayed information can be displayed on the split screen while simultaneously displaying audio information and important vehicle controls. Almost every automaker outside of Tesla should take notes here and copy Rivian’s homework. It’s worth developing your own software in-house.
2024 Rivian R1T
2024 Rivian R1T
Con: Rivian R1T could use better smartphone integration
The R1T doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and to be honest, I didn’t really miss CarPlay, which applies to me. The infotainment system is so good. Rivian made it so you can click the share button in Apple Maps on an iPhone and share a destination with the vehicle. Smooth. But not all aspects feel as integrated as they could be. The vehicle downloaded my phone’s contacts, including addresses, and while I could pull up a contact in my phonebook on the Rivian’s touchscreen and tap the address to navigate, I couldn’t do the same with voice commands. That’s because this part of the system relies solely on Alexa, which doesn’t have my contacts. It said I could upload my contacts to Alexa separately, but who wants that? Tesla has integrated a native Apple Music app, and Rivian should too. Rivian has already said that it is working on a solution to allow replying and sending text messages via voice commands with an iPhone, but has not yet explained how it would be done. Maybe Siri integration is coming and would solve many of these problems.
2024 Rivian R1T
2024 Rivian R1T
2024 Rivian R1T
2024 Rivian R1T
Pro: Rivian R1T shocks and impresses with its packaging
Two years after market launch and six years after the revelationNo other series pickup truck in the world has packaging as innovative as the R1T. The 11.0 cubic foot trunk has a false floor and can be expanded into two layers or hide things. The 4.5-foot bed features under-bed storage that is sealed with a gasket. This storage is large enough to hold a full-sized spare tire, which the Cybertruck cannot do. There’s plenty of open space inside the cabin, including a spot in the front center of the floor for a backpack, handbag or computer bag where a traditional center console could fit, and there’s storage space under the front and rear seats. But the most innovative thing is the waterproof, 11.6 cubic foot transmission tunnel that can safely hide things from prying eyes. It is designed to hold up to 300 pounds. Bonus: The doors to the transmission tunnel can be used as a seat, for lacing or clipping, or as a step to reach the roof. These panels themselves even have integrated storage compartments.
2024 Rivian R1T
Con: Rivian R1T has random, mostly fixable usability issues
When the truck is parked – even for a short time, such as when waiting in a carpool line – all of the LED interior lights light up. They should either light up when the doors are opened like any other vehicle, or simply have more detailed settings. There are no rear seat belt indicator lights anywhere to warn the driver when rear seat occupants are buckled. The 12.3-inch digital display is divided into three sections, with the center of the screen showing the truck’s speed and the right side showing whether it is wearing a seatbelt. Its powertrain is consuming power or regenerating it into the battery. The left side is a bit wasted as it can show one of three displays: the truck’s tire pressure, the map regardless of whether navigation is enabled, and the truck’s current efficiency over the last 15 minutes. From infotainment to some real-time data on the new touchscreen truck information page, there could be more displayed on the left side of the digital instrument cluster than these current three options. Plus, I still miss a real volume knob that you can just turn, although it’s hard to imagine how Riivan would incorporate it into its current interior design, and the steering wheel scroll button worked… well.
After living with the Rivian R1T, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s one of the most well-designed vehicles on the market. It’s still not perfect, but two years later, no other vehicle has come close to matching the R1T’s range of capabilities and performance, or its continued software improvements. The majority of people won’t know the difference between the 3.0-inch quad motor and the 3.5-second 0-60 mph sprint with the performance dual motor, but their bank account will know the difference of 8,000 or Feel $3,000.
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2024 Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor Max Package
Basic price: $71,700 including $1,800 destination
Price as tested: $101,400
Drivetrain: 665 hp twin engine
EPA fuel consumption: Up to 410 miles range
The professionals: The dual motor performance is satisfactory, maximum packing range, great infotainment system, innovative packaging
The disadvantages: There’s a lack of lockers, the Max package isn’t cheap, the build matrix is complex, smartphone integration, minor daily software annoyances and/or missed opportunities
