Rivian beat Tesla and Ford to the punch with the R1T, its first model and the first electric truck to make it to sale in the United States. The truck, though not quite full-size in dimensions, still offers the capability and numbers that its larger counterparts bring. It’s also massively quick and comes with staggering performance numbers.

What’s New for the 2023 Rivian R1T

Rivian made a dual-motor setup standard and added two battery capacity options for 2023. The automaker also streamlined its trim level offerings for 2023.

Design

The R1T is about as futuristic as it's possible to get while sticking with the basic pickup truck shape. This electric vehicle (EV) has funky headlights with oval LED running lights, and the body is mostly lacking the loud, shouty graphics that many automakers add to their pickups. At the same time, Rivian does offer unique colors that help the R1T stand out in a crowd, and buyers can upgrade the exterior with features like a camp kitchen and rear-bed-mounting racks.

Powertrain

The 2023 R1T comes standard with a dual-motor powertrain making 600 horsepower and 600 pounds of torque. The upgraded quad-motor setup delivers 835 horsepower and 600 pounds of torque. Both powertrain options pair with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the truck manages supercar levels of acceleration with both electric options.

The truck’s range can reach up to 400 miles per charge with the upgraded battery pack, and the R1T can DC fast charge, getting 140 miles of range from 25 minutes of charging. Buyers can purchase a Rivian home charger that works with a 240-volt supply to add 25 miles of range each hour.

Interior

The R1T’s interior is upscale and spacious in all configurations, and there’s good room for up to five adults. Taller people can ride comfortably in the back seat, though head room might prove to be a challenge for the tallest rear passengers.

Technology

Like Tesla, Rivian does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the automaker’s in-house interface provides a solid feature set and a relatively easy-to-use menu system. A 16-inch touchscreen comes standard, along with wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, 19 speakers, and more.

Safety

The R1T earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which includes top scores across the board. The truck also earned a “Good” score in the testing organization’s new side impact test that uses more force. Standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Pricing

The base Adventure trim starts at $73,000. Buyers can drive that price tag skyward quickly with options, including the $3,850 all-terrain package, upgraded powertrains, larger battery packs, and custom paint colors. Rivian also offers several wheel and interior upgrades that further add to the already-high price tag.