The full-size pick-up truck segment has always been full of competition from different automakers, bringing their unique styling and better power figures. For 2022, two electric trucks will use two different forms of power supply altogether. The Rivian R1T is the world’s first Electric powered pick-up truck and one of the best in the segment. The Toyota Tundra has been recently refined and launched for the year 2022.
Though electric cars may soon take over the world, no one had expected the launch of a full-sized electric pick-up truck just yet. However, the Rivian R1T has just been launched and has taken the world by storm already as it threatens to outsell and outclass the petrol-powered king of the segment, the Toyota Tundra. Rivian and the Tundra have different approaches to the same segment, but both are immensely capable and offer precise value for money.
Rivian R1T Vs Toyota Tundra: The Powertrain
Toyota claims that the Tundra is all-new for the year 2022. The engine is all-new, the power and efficiency figures are up from the previous generation Tundra. The truck is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine called the i-Force engine. This engine produces 389 HP and 479 lb-ft of torque. The engine is tuned to deliver most of its power lower down in the rev range. If this performance is not enough, Toyota also has the TRD Pro model of the Tundra, which has the i-Force max engine, which produces 437 HP and 583 lb-ft of torque. This is the same 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine, but is coupled with Hybrid technology to offer more power. This engine provides significantly more power and efficiency. Both these engines are mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine and the gearbox combined help the Tundra achieve a towing capacity of 12,000 lbs and a payload capacity of 1,940 lbs.
The Rivian R1T uses an all-electric powertrain as class-leading four electric motors power it. There is one motor at each wheel, and the combined power output of the vehicle is 800 HP and 663 lb-ft of torque, which puts it in supercar territory. Powering these motors is a 135 kWh battery pack, which gives the R1T a range of over 314 miles. Rivian claims that there will also be a bigger battery, expected to give a range of over 400 miles. The vehicle supports DC fast charging and can gain up to 140 miles of range in under 20 mins. At full capacity, the vehicle can tow up to 11,000 lbs, which is slightly less than the Tundra. However, what is astonishing is that it can hit the 60 MPH mark in 3 seconds flat, despite weighing over 6,000 lbs. The R1T does the quarter-mile in 11.9 seconds at a speed of 110 MPH.
Rivian R1T Vs Toyota Tundra: The Design
The Rivian R1T is a good-looking EV, and it has no grill upfront, which feels good in an era where all manufacturers are just upsizing the grill of their vehicle to make the vehicle look bigger. It has clean and minimal lines, and everything on the exterior is purpose-built. The design looks like any normal pick-up truck with some modern-day elements like the LED light bars at the front and back, which run the entire length of the vehicle. The wheel size is 21 inches, which is standard and goes down to 20 inches as a part of the off-road pack. The off-road pack adds tow hooks throughout the truck and some cladding along the sides to take some beating. The vertically stacked headlamps and flush door handles add more style to the R1T.
The Tundra has received some serious design changes, as it now looks bold and bigger than ever. The Tundra has the design elements of the latest generation Toyota Sequoia and has all LED lighting standards throughout the vehicle. The vehicle also comes in TRD pro trim which adds more ruggedness and makes the Tundra look even tougher with the use of auxiliary lamps, different bumpers on the front and rear, and different wheels. The standard wheel size is 20 inches and goes down to 18 inches for the TRD pro as per Toyota.
Rivian R1T Vs Toyota Tundra: The Technology
The inside of the Rivian R1T does not feel like a truck at all. It feels like the cabin of an expensive car. Everything on the inside feels premium and top quality. There is no use of leather anywhere in the cabin. Instead, the R1T makes use of vegan materials to promote sustainability. The R1T also has two giant screens, a central 16-inch screen houses climate control and connectivity features, and the 12.3-inch driver’s display delivers all the driving data like speed, charge status, and drive mode.
The Tundra has a touchscreen at 14 inches. It is class-leading and feels right at home for a car of its size. It houses all multimedia controls and navigation, along with connectivity features. Tundra also has a 12.3-inch driver delivering similar information to the Rivian, but the display feels crisp and easier to read. The Tundra makes good use of leather and rigid plastic in some places, but does have a lot of premium features like a 14 speaker JBL audio system and a huge panoramic sunroof.
The Tundra is priced at $35,950 for the entry-level SR trim, and the price goes all the way up to $57,690 for the 1794 trim level. The Rivian R1T, on the other hand, is priced at $67,500 for the base explore package and goes as high as $73,000 for the adventure package. The two vehicles are priced quite differently and almost entirely belong to two different worlds. Both have their strengths and play to them very well. It is a simple choice between old school and new school.