I recently got a close look at Rivian’s futuristic Amazon van at work in a suburban Detroit neighborhood. And last week, I spent around 45 minutes test driving an early-production R1T around the Detroit area.
Here’s what I can tell you: Rivian has set the bar high for all competitors. The R1T I drove, and another one I examined, stand tire-to-tire with any truck from Detroit or elsewhere when it comes to quality of materials, fit and finish, thoughtful features and attention to detail.
Driving at speeds of around 45 mph, you hear the big Pirelli tires rolling over the pavement and a pleasing hum from the electric motors, but that’s it. No wind or suspension noise, no rattles or squeaks. This level of refinement is really hard to achieve on a battery-electric vehicle. On traditional vehicles, the piston engine and exhaust mask many of these sounds. The R1T’s flat, stable handling is more akin to a sports car than a pickup.
