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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangHead-to-Head: Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1T
We compare the two all-electric pickup trucks on the market against one another. Read on to see which is our top pick for your next adventure
Dramatically Different EV Trucks
As the transition toward electric vehicles continues to move forward one of its last true frontiers is that of the pickup truck segment. It’s not easy to make an electric truck that can do all that a gas-powered truck can do.
Despite that, a slew of brands are already deep into the weeds of producing them. Two of the very first to market, the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning are already offering buyers the EV pickup experience. Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into each. We’ll compare specs, driving performance, interior comfort, trims, options, and more, and then we’ll crown a winner.
Specs
The Rivian R1T was the first all-electric pickup to market so we’ll start with it. As we’ve covered in our full review here, the R1T is incredibly well-rounded. Every version comes with all-wheel drive and at minimum 600 horsepower. Base-level trims use a pair of motors, one on each axle, while upper-level trims get a single motor for each wheel.
In top-spec, it’ll make 835 horsepower and rocket from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Thanks to an adaptive air suspension it’s also capable of giving itself a lift to the point that it boasts 14 inches of ground clearance. That’s a very rare combination that puts the R1T at home whether on or off-road. It starts at $74,800 but tick every option and this pickup can cost nearly six figures. At its best, the R1T will go up to 328 miles on a single charge and it can tow up to 7,000 pounds though it can’t do both of those things at the same time.
On the Blue Oval badge side of things, the F-150 Lightning offers a minimum of 462 horsepower across four different trims. All four feature all-wheel drive with a motor for each axle but those who opt for a large 131 kWh battery pack get 580 horsepower. As it’s down on power compared to the Rivian it should come as no surprise that the F-150 takes longer, 4.0 seconds to go from 0-60 mph.
That’s still pretty dang quick though. In addition, the Lightning can tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Base versions have a range of just 240 miles while the big battery pack version can go up to 320 miles. Pricing starts at $61,869 but high demand has caused a spike in the price. Top-of-the-line Platinum-trimmed F-150 Lightings start at $99,969, if you can find one at that price.
Driving and Performance
The physical size of these trucks is very different and the Rivian benefits from it in many ways. It’s not as wide and not as long so it’s easier to squeeze the R1T into and out of tight spots. It’s also easier to see out and judge distances in the Rivian. All of that translates to a more direct feel from the driver’s seat. The R1T feels far more nimble than it has any right to be.
The instant torque is shocking no matter what speed one might be going when they engage it. One thing we didn’t dive too deeply into during our first review is just how capable this truck is off-road. Sure, the ground clearance is great but the R1T is also available with all-terrain tires. Add that to the Quad-Motor setup and you end up with an incredibly precise off-roader that makes some of the toughest off-road trails look like a stroll through the park.
The Ford F-150 is no slouch though and for hardcore die-hard truck buyers, it’s far more conventional-looking. At the same time, it might be the best-handling F-150 on sale thanks to a low center of gravity.
Ford has also imbued this truck with a true one-pedal driving mode which allows the driver to simply lift off of the go pedal when they want to slow down. The benefit of such a feature is that it returns more energy to the battery and reduces the use of the mechanical brakes, thus lengthening their life.
While we appreciate the traditional styling and size of the F-150, it proves to be a bit bigger than seems practical here. Neither of these trucks can tow a lot and offer a good driving range at the same time. Due to that, we very much prefer the more nimble and easier-to-park Rivian R1T.
Comfort and Interior
The interior of the Rivian R1T strikes a nice balance between forward-thinking modern design and not being so minimalist that it’s distracting and difficult to live with. The infotainment system is flanked by an all-digital gauge cluster and a lot of natural wood and aluminum.
The R1Ts seats feature contrast stitching and a unique upper section that helps the R1T feel every bit as premium as its high price tag might suggest. The center console is full of nice touches like a deep storage space, pop-out cup holders, and a wireless charging pad.
The second row is also spacious and features the same cool upper-seat sections along with clever features like a touchscreen climate control center, charging ports, and storage under the seat pad itself. There are small details like charging ports in the rear of the front passengers’ headrests and hooks for clothing or mobile devices.
The big deal about the R1T cargo situation is the gear tunnel, a safe and secure place to stick things that rest between the cabin and the cargo box. The gear tunnel also has a pass-through into the cabin so that rear-seat passengers can retrieve things from it or stick things into it while on the go. Don’t forget that there’s even more storage under the hood too.
Ford isn’t going quietly into the night though. It has its own clever storage space under the hood and it’s even larger than in the Rivian. It’s worth noting too that the F-150 is larger all over the place so it offers more interior room and that translates to more comfort, at least when it comes to physical space. The seats are also nicely appointed and highly adjustable on the top trim levels. The dash doesn’t feel as special as the one in the R1T but that’s somewhat by design.
Ford didn’t want to shock die-hard fans with something that felt too futuristic and we think it’s nailed it with the F-150 Lightning. A vertically-oriented infotainment screen offers a smoother experience than the one found in the Rivian and the digital gauge cluster is similarly easy to navigate and use. There are nice touches for the rear-seat passengers too. Ford offers seat heating along with a panoramic sunroof and multiple charge points for back-seat passengers.
Trims and Features
Rivian sells just one trim level as of this writing. On top of that trim level, Adventure, buyers can add what they want. Standard features include a dual-motor setup with a standard battery pack that offers 270 miles of range. It also comes with 21-inch wheels, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a microfiber headliner, and faux leather upholstery.
Those who want more power can opt for the Dual Motor Performance which increases horsepower to 665. The Dual Motor versions are also compatible with the Large Pack battery which provides 350 miles of range or the Max Pack with 400 miles of range. The Quad Motor setup brings the power level to 835 horsepower but is only available with the Large Pack.
Ford sells four trim levels of the F-150 Lightning. It kicks things off with the Pro which gets 18-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats, a wireless phone charger, and dual 12-inch screens. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
The XLT adds a full-width LED light bar, cloth upholstery, a keypad entry system, and power-adjustable pedals. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a surround-view camera system.
Lariat buyers get 20-inch wheels, a 9.6 kW onboard generator, LED cargo box lighting, a power-sliding rear window, a 15.5-inch infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery.
The top trim is the Platinum and it gets everything from upgraded seats with alcantara inserts to 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, lockable under-seat storage, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Verdict
These are both great everyday vehicles that can do a lot but we’re giving the win to Rivian. Not only is it faster than the Lightning but it handles better too. It’s a bit more innovative and easier to drive. It’s more capable off-road and it’s got one big ace up its sleeve. Plus in the current market, you will have trouble finding an F-150 Lightning at MSRP. Go online and buy a Rivian R1T and there’s zero question.
