Should You Take the 2022 Rivian R1T Off-Road?
The 2022 Rivian R1T is the world’s first modern all-electric pickup truck, and it does better off-road than most gas-powered pickups. Here are the details!
The 2022 Rivian R1T is the world’s first modern all-electric pickup truck. Available in both a dual-motor and quad-motor powertrain, the Rivian R1T gets a maximum of 835 horsepower and is more than capable of excelling in all kinds of off-road terrain.
Looking for a ticket to your next big adventure? Well, look no further than the all-new, all-electric Rivian R1T pickup. From tip to tail, the Rivian R1T has it all—a long all-electric range, standard all-wheel drive, and a quartet of powerful electric motors that can take drivers anywhere they want to go—even off-road.
Sounds too good to be true? Think again!
Jerry
—the #1-rated car insurance
comparison shopping super app
—is here to break down the 2022 Rivian R1T spec-by-spec to determine just how capable this all-electric powerhouse really is when it comes to off-road performance. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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Can the 2022 Rivian R1T go off-road?
Yes—while the make and model of the all-new Rivian R1T might be foreign to most American buyers, the all-electric pickup truck has all the necessary specifications to tackle an array of off-road terrains with ease, albeit at a higher price point than some other off-road-ready pickups on the market.
With a base MSRP of $67,500, the Rivian R1T more than justifies its high-end price point with unbelievable power courtesy of an all-electric powertrain, a bevy of selectable driving modes, and three unique tire choices—all of which allow the R1T to tackle even the roughest and toughest of off-road terrains.
But what else makes the 2022 Rivian R1T a great choice for off-road drivers? Let’s take a closer look at some of the pickup’s key specs.
Ground clearance
One of the first, and most important, specs you need to look at when considering a vehicle for off-roading is its ground clearance measurement. Ideally, a vehicle should be between 8.8 and 10.8 inches off the ground if you want to avoid seriously damaging its undercarriage on off-road terrain.
The 2022 Rivian R1T blows through the ideal range by more than four inches with a ground clearance spec of a whopping 14.9 inches! Even more, the R1T is capable of driving through three feet of standing water without taking on damage. How’s that for all-terrain?
Torque
The best off-road-capable vehicles offer plenty of power in the form of low-end torque. Low-end torque refers to high amounts of torque in terms of pound-feet at a lower overall rpm. This is because, while off-roading, power is a more valuable characteristic than speed.
Because all-electric vehicles don’t use the same engines and heavy transmissions as other gas-powered vehicles, “low-end” torque isn’t something that the Rivian R1T is capable of producing—however, the model can produce up to 908 lb-ft of torque when equipped with Rivian’s quad-motor. Similarly, the R1T features eight selectable
drive modes
, four of which are uniquely designed for use off-road: Off-Road Auto, Off-Road Rock Crawl, Off-Road Rally, and Off-Road Drift. The Off-Road Rock Crawl drive mode replaces the Rivian R1T’s need for low-end torque by managing the torque for each of the truck's wheels independently for precise, speed-controlled maneuvering over potentially dangerous rugged terrain.
Tires
When you purchase a new 2022 Rivian R1T pickup, you’ll be given the choice between three unique sets of Pirelli tires, each of which is designed for a different purpose. Those choices are Road, Sport, and All-Terrain.
The best choice for off-roading, if it’s not obvious from the name, is the Pirelli 20-inch All-Terrain 275/65R20 116H tires. Designed to handle everything from standard asphalt to rock crawling, these
all-terrain tires
truly come to life off the beaten path.Drivetrain
All-wheel drive is the gold standard for off-roading, and luckily it’s also a standard feature on the 2022 Rivian R1T. Regardless of whether you decide to go with the Dual-Motor AWD drivetrain—which creates 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque—or the Quad-Motor AWD drivetrain—which creates 835 hp and 907 lb-ft of torque—you’re all set for the off-road adventure of your dreams with the R1T.
Angles
Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:
- Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
With wider approach and departure angles than the majority of highway-oriented vehicles—and even many off-road-ready trucks and SUVs—the Rivian R1T yet again stands out as an exceptional example of off-roading gold. Respectively, the R1T’s approach and departure angles come out to 35.5 and 30 degrees.
Off-road rating: Trail Boss
We’ve rated the 2022 Rivian R1T using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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We’re giving the 2022 Rivian R1T a T rating: there’s really nothing that we could change about the R1T to make it more capable of excelling off-road. The pickup provides exceptional ground clearance, out-of-this-world power, and standard all-wheel drive, as well as selectable drive modes and tires that are ideal for any off-roader. And it does it all without using a single drop of gasoline!
Key Takeaway Without a doubt, the 2022 Rivian R1T is a Trail Boss—you can take it anywhere with confidence, knowing that the R1T will be right at home traversing rocky, muddy, and water-logged conditions.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Rivian R1T
Nothing on the market today truly compares to the Rivian R1T, considering it’s the first and only all-electric modern pickup. That being said, if you’re looking for something cheaper, or from a brand you’re more familiar with, here are some great off-road-ready alternatives.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | $30,100 | Still powerful with its 4.3-liter V-6 engine, the GMC Sierra 1500 is an off-road capable pickup at more than $30,000 less than the Rivian R1T. | |
Best alternative from a trusted brand | $34,035 | With more than 100 years worth of automotive manufacturing experience over Rivian, Ford has a wide selection of trucks that can excel off-road, including the Ford F-250. |
MORE:
Cheap off-road trucks
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Off-road-capable vehicles can be expensive to purchase, maintain, and, yes, even to insure. This is because of the added risk associated with off-roading. Keep in mind, however, that with an all-electric model like the Rivian R1T, you’ll be entitled to a $7,500 federal tax credit that will alleviate the cost of ownership for your off-road pickup.
If you want to save even more money—who doesn't?—you can update your car insurance policy using the
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