10 Rivian Electric Truck Features That Will Make You Want One
Rivian is an electric vehicle manufacturer that hasn’t been around for very long, but that hasn’t stopped the company from distinguishing itself as one of the most innovative car companies. Much like Tesla, Rivian packs its vehicles with innovative features that set them apart from the competition, but what distinguishes Rivian is that some of these features make its vehicles amazing off-road.
Let’s explore some of the coolest features in Rivian vehicles!
1. Dual-Motor Version
Rivian vehicles from the R1 series (which includesthe high-tech R1T pickup truckand R1S SUV) are famous for their quad electric motor setup. But they’re also available in a simpler, more affordable dual-motor guise.
Rivian offers a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain for the base R1 with 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, and you can upgrade to a Performance dual-motor version, which has 700 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. This is great for potential owners who love everything Rivian vehicles have to offer but don’t need the 835 horsepower of the quad-motor variant.
2. Quad-Motor AWD
Rivian’s quad-motor AWD system is probably the biggest advantage Rivian’s vehicles have over the competition, especially off-road. If you want to go for a cheaper option, you can outfit your Rivian with a dual-motor setup, but the quad electric motor configuration is definitely one of the things that make the R1T and R1S stand out in a crowded EV field.
Having four individually controlled electric motors gives R1 vehicles the ability to tackle off-road trails that even dedicated, modified off-road vehicles would struggle on. It’s all thanks to the Rivian’s ability to send each wheel exactly the right amount of torque, thus ensuring optimum grip and traction on all surfaces.
The four electric motors also combine to produce 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque, making the R1T and R1S one of the most powerful EVs you can buy.
3. Drive Modes
Rivian offers ten drive modes in its quad-motor R1 vehicles, compared to just four on the base dual-motor configuration and five on the Performance dual-motor. Some of these modes are specifically tailored for on-road driving, while others are geared towards off-road driving and frugal driving.Depending on the drive mode you select, the vehicle will tweak settings in the suspension (such as stiffness and ride height), as well as accelerator pedal response and AWD system calibration.
The drive modes offered on the base dual-motor models are All-Purpose, Snow, All-Terrain, and Towing. The latter is important becausetowing an EV is different from towing a normal vehicle). Performance models offer an additional Sport mode, while quad-motor vehicles offer five additional modes: Rally, Drift, Rock Crawl, Soft Sand, and Conserve.
4. Adjustable Height Suspension
Rivian fits standard air suspension on all of its vehicles, and the amount of travel it offers is astounding. At its highest setting, you can expect your R1T or R1S to have 14.9 inches of ground clearance, which is perfect for tackling even the toughest off-road trails.
The air suspension can raise and lower the ride height by 6.5 inches. The combination of this nifty suspension and the quad-motor all-wheel drive is what makes the R1T and R1S some ofthe best off-road electric vehicleson sale.
5. Hydraulic Roll Control
Rivian uses an electro-hydraulic roll control system in place of the traditional mechanical anti-roll bars. This gives its vehicles the ability to perform well (and maintain a level, comfortable ride) in a multitude of drastically different scenarios.
The electro-hydraulic system allows your Rivian to ride comfortably through a rough off-road trail (when the active anti-roll bars are switched into their softest setting) while also giving it the versatility to tackle sweeping corners on a back road with confidence when everything is stiffed up. This is a feature that distinguishes the R1T and R1S from other dedicated off-roaders and is another reminder that Rivian is ahead of the curve when it comes to vehicle dynamics.
6. Conserve Mode
Conserve Mode is somewhat akin to the Eco Mode you’ll find on many cars. It decouples the vehicle’s rear motors, turning your Rivian into a front-wheel drive vehicle, and this allows it to run more efficiently.
This mode also lowers the suspension to its lowest setting, all in the name of efficiency. Specially tailored drive modes like Conserve are possible thanks to the many advantages EVs hold over traditional vehicles.
7. Pet Comfort Mode
You might be familiar withTesla’s Dog Mode, which is one of the coolest automotive features for dog owners, but you might not know that Rivian also offers a similar function. Rivian’s Pet Comfort Mode allows you to set the cabin temperature to a safe and comfortable range for your pet (ranging between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit) while you’re away from the vehicle.
This allows you to be at ease when leaving your pets in your Rivian if you need to step away from the vehicle for a short while. Pet Comfort Mode is really easy to activate, although it will only work if the vehicle still has at least 50 miles of range left. All you have to do is:
Pet Comfort Mode is a feature that gives dog owners peace of mind, which is invaluable for those with pets.
8. Gear Guard
Rivian’s Gear Guard is very similar to Tesla’s Sentry Mode, but it has a unique adventure-minded twist to it. Rivian uses five vehicle-mounted cameras to monitor the space around your vehicle and even the bed of your R1T truck. Tesla already uses cameras to monitor the surroundings of its vehicle via Sentry Mode, but Rivian takes it one step further with a steel cable (standard on the R1T) that you could use to secure your precious items (such as an expensive bike) to your Rivian’s roof or bed.
The braided steel cable is protected by a woven fabric cover, and it secures into a dedicated port in the bed of your Rivian, locking simultaneously with the vehicle’s door locks. You don’t have to worry about keys or combinations; this system is extremely intuitive and easy to use. All you have to do is wrap it around your bike (or other precious belongings) and secure the steel cable by locking it in the appropriate slot in the R1T’s bed.
Once you’ve done this, Gear Guard will allow you to relax since it stores footage from all around the car. Whether it’s a person coming within a foot of the vehicle, a door opening, or the vehicle tilting, everything will be saved on the vehicle’s internal hard drive. Rivian takes a friendlier approach to security than Tesla’s Sentry Mode (which displays an ominous red eye in the display), with a furry animated character holding a video camera showing up on the infotainment screen whenever the system is active.
9. Flashlight in the Door
Rivian includes a 1000-watt flashlight in its R1 line of vehicles, and it tucks neatly into a slot on the driver’s side door when not in use. The placement and execution are very reminiscent of the fancy umbrellas that Rolls-Royce incorporates into the doors of its luxurious vehicles.
The neat thing about the Rivian flashlight is that it charges inside the door while it is not in use, which means you’ll always have a fully charged flashlight whenever you need to use it. The flashlight itself is finished in a beautiful anodized aluminum color and features striking Rivian branding on the side.
If you happen to lose the flashlight, you’ll be shelling out $175 for a replacement from Rivian, so try not to misplace it.
10. Removable Bluetooth Speaker
Rivian’s Camp Speaker is a Bluetooth speaker that’s built into certain configurations of its R1 (Launch Edition and vehicles outfitted with the Adventure Package) line of vehicles, and it’s conveniently located beneath the center console in its own enclosure (where it also charges when not in use).
The speaker also has a built-in lamp that emits a warm yellow glow, a nod to a campfire’s flames. you may also use the speaker to charge your phone via the USB-C port built into the speaker. The unit includes two midrange speakers, a tweeter, and a subwoofer. It’s also resistant to water, for added peace of mind.
Rivian Builds the Ultimate Adventure Vehicles
It’s remarkable how Rivian has managed to become a famous automaker in such a short time, yet now it’s building electric vehicles that are the perfect companions for any off-road adventure.
The innovative features present in Rivian vehicles only serve to underscore this point. If you’re planning an overlanding adventure in an EV, it’s very difficult to find a better vehicle than something built by Rivian.
It won’t be long before EVs dominate off-roading and overlapping. And with these beasts, it’s easy to see why.
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