Rivian R1S vs Rivian R1T Electric Adventure Vehicles Choose Your Off Road Companion

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

R1T

Were focused on creating a seamless and convenient experience that guides you from configuration to the first time you drive your vehicle including service center pickups and home deliveries where available.Your Rivian Guide will be in touch to help you prepare for delivery based on your configuration, location and when you placed your preorder or reservation. At that time, you can complete any remaining steps to take delivery from your Rivian Account, including finalizing your payment method and applying for financing, trading in your current vehicle and completing any remaining documents. On delivery day you can track your vehicles journey through the Rivian app and upon arrival set it up as a digital key so you can immediately get on the road. To get better acquainted with your vehicle, you can ask a Rivian Field Specialist for a walkthrough or explore on your own time.

Lease an R1 starting at $559/mo

1. Pricing may vary based on vehicle options. Additional taxes and fees will apply based on location.

2. Deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The features, options and digital displays shown are subject to change pending final production of the vehicle.

3. Very well qualified lessees who take delivery on or before 4/30/2024 can lease a new MY2024 Rivian R1T Standard Adventure Package for 36 months with 30,000 total miles for $559 per month. To obtain a payment of $559 per month, vehicle pricing before dealer options must total $71,700 comprised of the following vehicle selections: Dual Motor AWD, 21 wheels, LA Silver paint, Black Mountain interior ($69,900) + destination fee ($1,800).

$7,454 DUE AT SIGNING. Cash due at signing includes $6,000 capitalized cost reduction (includes $1,000 deposit), $559 first monthly payment, $895 acquisition fee, and $0 security deposit. Tax, title, license, registration, and lessor documentation fees are additional fees due at signing. Not all customers will qualify for security deposit waiver. Offer includes upfront capitalized cost reduction of $7,500 provided by the lessor. Vehicle availability is limited, and lease offer is contingent on vehicle availability. End of lease charges include: excess vehicle wear, 30 cents per mile for excess mileage, and $495 disposition fee. Lease offer is only available in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, VT, WA. All offers are subject to credit approval, vehicle availability, priority for delivery, and are subject to change at any time.

R1S

TopSpeed

Rivian's appearance on the market caused an earthquake for the entire industry, similar (although of lesser magnitude) to the one generated by Tesla at the time when Elon Musk decided to go out and compete. It is a start-up with an impressive capacity for productive and technological innovation that constantly surprises because of the quality of its vehicles. In fact, Rivian was the first company to produce an electric pickup truck, the R1T, which was later joined by its sister, the R1S. These are exceptional vehicles, very similar in many ways, but obviously not identical. Some differences can be crucial depending on the use you want to make of them. Both are of the highest quality, performance, and design, and that is why Rivian leads several rankings in this regard, but some important differences can be highlighted.

While the R1T revolutionized the market with its novelty and quickly began to compete with other trucks released by Ford at about the same time, such as the Lightning, the R1S came to complete the line with a less rough version, more functional in some aspects and slightly more expensive. Each has its strengths and between the two they constitute one of the strongest competitive blocks in the industry.

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1 The Rivian R1T Is Cheaper

One important difference between these two Rivian trucks is the price: the Rivian R1T price is $73,000, while the Rivian R1S price is $78,000. The difference is not overwhelming, but it can be significant if your budget is a bit tight. This price difference was already verified in the first versions: the 2022 Rivian R1T Adventure cost practically the same as the 2023 version and something similar happened with the 2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition, the most expensive one, which reached $85,000. The same is verified for the 2022 Rivian R1S: the 2022 Rivian R1S MSRP was also about $78,000 approximately like the 2023 version. It is worth saying that there was a cheaper Rivian R1T: the Explore, which was not continued in 2023 and so the average price is now higher.

2 The Secret Behind The Names: A Pickup Truck And An SUV

The Rivian R1T is a pickup truck that has an open bed, making it ideal for jobs that involve transporting heavy or large objects (or both). In this sense, it is more conventional and seeks to position itself in the classic market. On the other hand, the Rivian R1S is truly an SUV, although to the eye it has all the appearance of a pickup truck, except for the closed bed. And, instead of having space to carry things, it has one more row of seats, so it has a total of three. In addition, of course, it has some cargo space, but the priority is family use or transport of people. For now, these are the only models that the brand produces, and they certainly cover two very important areas of the current market.

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3 Same General Architecture And Quality

The Rivian R1T and Rivian R1S share most of the overall architecture, technology, and almost all the mechanisms involved in the operation of the vehicle. In fact, viewed from the inside, from the front row of seats, they are virtually indistinguishable in styling and design. They also feature the same hydraulic suspension system, which includes a Camp mode that allows the movement to adapt to the irregularities of the terrain. In addition, both have 4 electric motors, one per wheel, and three battery packs of three different sizes depending on the characteristics required. As will be seen later, the fact that they have the same characteristics in this regard does not mean that they respond in the same way in all situations, but they are practically twins in many respects.

4 If Performance Is The Criteria, Pick Any Of Them

These two trucks also share performance-related characteristics. In the case of the two-engine versions, both have about 600 horsepower and reach 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds. For the 4-motor versions, horsepower increases to an impressive 835 and both reach 60 MPH in just 3 seconds, according to Rivian. This makes them some of the most powerful and fastest pickups on the market. It should be noted that some independent tests showed times of 3.3 seconds for these models, but the difference is minimal and can be explained by circumstantial factors. On the other hand, there is an intermediate version: two engines, but with performance improvements that enable 700 horsepower and acceleration from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.5 seconds. Any of these models can compete with the best in the market without much effort.

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5 Slight Range Advantage Of The R1T

The Rivian R1T has a better range than the R1S: the R1T is capable of reaching 400 Miles for the conventional twin-motor version, while the R1S reaches 390 Miles. For the two-motor model with better performance, the same numbers are maintained in both cases and for the 4-motor versions, the R1T reaches 328 Miles in ideal conditions, while the R1S reaches 321 Miles. The curious thing is that, as already seen in the previous paragraphs, no technical or mechanical difference explains this difference. Most of the deviation of the R1S is attributed to the difference in aerodynamics between the two models and other minor design details linked to the fact that the R1T has an open space at the rear, while the R1S is completely closed in that area.

6 The R1T's Running Cost Will Be Slightly Lower In The Long Run

As expected from the range difference, the economy of these two excellent vehicles is slightly different. When comparing an R1T and an R1S with the same wheel size (21 inches), it can be seen that the R1T achieves 73 MPGe, while the R1S achieves 71 MPGe (and the difference is similar for other wheel sizes). This means that over a 5-year period, the R1T saves $4,750 compared to the average new car, while the R1S saves $4,500. The difference is not significant, but when considering that the R1S is slightly more expensive, the total sum may lean towards the R1T. It is fair to say that in terms of fuel economy, both the Rivian R1T and the R1S perform admirably, with only a marginal difference between them.

Related: Best Electric Pickup Trucks For Families

7 The R1T Has More Towing Capacity

When it comes to towing capacity, the difference between the Rivian R1T and the R1S is much more notable than in other aspects. The R1T boasts an impressive 11,000 pounds towing capacity, surpassing even that of the Ford Lightning and making it a primary feature of this truck. On the other hand, the R1S reaches 7,700 pounds, approximately 25% less than its sibling. However, this is by no means a strict disadvantage, as these vehicles are designed for different purposes. Even the 7,700 pounds towing capacity of the R1S is quite impressive for most personal uses of this SUV. If you prioritize towing heavy loads and require a higher towing capacity, the R1T would be the clear choice for you: its exceptional 11,000 pounds capability ensures that you can handle even demanding hauling tasks with ease.

8 The R1S Is Smaller

There are some differences in terms of dimensions between the Rivian R1T and the R1S that can be significant depending on the intended use and the space you have to park it. The R1S has a maximum height (with antenna) of 77.3 inches, a length of 200.8 inches, a wheelbase of 121.1 inches, and a width of 81.8 inches (with side mirrors folded). On the other hand, the R1T stands slightly taller with a maximum height (with antenna) of 78.2 inches. It also has a longer length of 217.1 inches and a longer wheelbase of 135.8 inches. However, both vehicles share the same width of 81.8 inches (with side mirrors folded). The R1S, with its slightly smaller size, can be more maneuverable in urban environments and parking spaces.

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9 Gear Tunnel: A Unique Feature Of The R1T

One notable feature that sets the Rivian R1T apart from the R1S is the presence of a gear tunnel. The R1T's gear tunnel is a storage compartment located behind the rear seats and can be accessed through gates located on both sides of the truck, between the rear doors and the rear wheels. This convenient storage space offers a capacity of 11.6 cubic feet, providing ample room to store gear, equipment, or other items securely. Additionally, the gear tunnel in the R1T is equipped with a 12-volt outlet and a 110-volt outlet, allowing for charging or powering various devices. On the other hand, the R1S does not have this particular storage area, although it offers other storage advantages that will be discussed later.

10 The R1S Has More Storage Space

The difference in storage space between the Rivian R1T and the R1S is notable and can be a decisive factor: the R1S offers a generous storage space of 104 cubic feet, while the R1T has a more modest 64 cubic feet. It's important to note that these figures only consider the storage capacity within the cabins, as the R1T's bed adds additional space for cargo. Nevertheless, in terms of cabin storage, the R1S holds a good advantage, especially if you frequently need to transport smaller items while also accommodating passengers. The R1S provides ample room within the cabin for versatile use, whether it's storing personal belongings, groceries, or other items. Additionally, the R1S's larger storage space can be advantageous for families or individuals who require more interior storage options.