Rivian is a newcomer in the automotive world and comes in with nothing but EVs. This makes us wonder if Rivian trucks are any good. Let’s find out.

Rivian is a US-based company that is part of the electric vehicle startup movement. Like Tesla, this company only makes EVs. Unlike Tesla, Rivian is working toward creating rugged and impressive trucks and SUVs for us to drive and enjoy on the trails. To date, Rivian has created the R1T and the R1S. The R1T is a truck with lots of power and capability, giving us an EV for the off-road areas.

Here are some pros and cons of Rivian trucks.

Pro: It’s not too big

The R1T isn’t made to be a full-size truck instead it occupies the midsize pickup truck space. This makes sense because trucks of this size are more likely to be seen and used on the trails than larger models. There’s room for five people to ride comfortably and enjoy the journey to wherever you want to go. While not too big, the R1T isn’t tiny either, giving us a just-right size feeling.

Con: No knobs and buttons

When will EV automakers learn? It’s not a good idea to remove all of the knobs and buttons from the dashboard of a vehicle. Drivers are mostly used to pushing buttons for climate and audio settings, and it’s not wise to take this functionality away from most drivers. Rivian trucks don’t have buttons or knobs as redundant controls, but it has a massive 16-inch central display screen to control everything in the truck. This means you can’t make easy adjustments while behind the wheel, creating a distracted situation.

Pro: Excellent storage options

There’s a spacious storage compartment under the hood. The R1T doesn’t need an internal combustion engine, which leaves room for the large frunk. There’s also a storage tunnel between the cab and bed to give you access to items. This is a great place for some camping gear. In fact, the optional slide-out camp kitchen fits in this tunnel. There’s also the cargo bed with an underfloor storage compartment with a drain plug for wet gear and cold drinks.

Con: Confusing controls on the steering wheel

The ergonomics offered inside Rivian trucks can be confusing. There’s a single stalk that controls the wipers and headlights. In most vehicles, these items are split to either side of the steering wheel to make it easier for drivers to get used to their location. Additionally, the steering wheel buttons aren’t backlit. This means you have to memorize where they are and their operation in order to drive at night and use them. You won’t find a glove compartment, meaning you don’t have the typical front passenger storage area.

Pro: This is an impressive off-road truck

The Rivian R1T can be had with an All-Terrain Upgrade Package that adds more off-road stuff to the mix. This package gives this truck underbody protection with skid plates, larger 20-inch wheels and tires with a more aggressive tread pattern, and an onboard air compressor. These items give this truck more features for your time in the wilderness. The air compressive is great for reinflating the tires once you get back to the road after your wilderness adventures.

Con: Too much like Tesla

Like Tesla, Rivian trucks don’t have an infotainment system that’s compatible with mainstream systems. This means you can’t connect your phone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in the R1T. Instead, you must rely on Bluetooth connectivity to play your music. Thankfully, the Rivian navigation system is pretty good, and you have lots of options for streaming music using the infotainment system in this electric truck. Still, it’s not a smart thing for new vehicles to forgo the streaming and connectivity qualities that we use every day.

Pro: Excellent power for the drive

The Rivian R1T features four electric motors with power ranging from 533 to 835 horsepower. Every model has AWD, which makes sense because there’s an electric motor on each wheel. This truck can rocket to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds when using the base power level and as fast as three seconds when the top power figure is present. The driving range varies from 274 to 400 miles, and the tow rating is as much as 11,000 pounds. This is a powerful and impressive electric pickup.

Rivian trucks are excellent for off-road driving but might be a little too advanced for some drivers. Will you drive the Rivian R1T?