Despite having electric powertrains, the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 boast impressive towing and off-road capabilities — here's how they compare. Dubbed an electric adventure truck, the R1T is designed for all kinds of roads and situations. Meanwhile, the F-150 Lightning is an electrified version of America’s famous full-size truck, the gasoline F-150. But that's not all, as real-world testing suggests the Lightning could become the world’s most efficient truck.
When it comes to affordability and versatility of options, the F-150 Lightning shines. It is available in four variants called Pro ($55,974), XLT ($63,474), Lariat ($74,474), and Platinum ($96,874). Although Rivian first launched three versions of R1T, supply chain issues have whittled down the number to one: Adventure. It can be bought with either a Dual-Motor or Quad-Motor system and the pricing ranges from $73,000 to $87,000 depending on the battery pack selected. Buyers of the Rivian R1T and select Ford F-150 Lightning trims can receive a clean vehicle tax credit provided that they don't exceed the $80,000 sales cap.
Towing, Range, And Utility Compared
One of the best things a truck can offer is the ability to haul heavy payloads. How do the R1T and F-150 Lightning fare in this regard? While the Ford truck offers between 7,700 pounds and 10,000 lbs of towing capacity, the Rivian can tow up to 11,000 lbs of payload which gives it the advantage. The R1T also features a timelier acceleration (0-60 mph in 3 seconds) than the Ford (0 to 60 mph in between 4.1 and under 4 seconds). In terms of range, the Rivian can travel for up to 400 miles when fitted with a max battery pack. Ford’s XLT and Lariat variants max out at 320 miles while the Pro and Platinum get 240 miles and 300 miles respectively.
Charging both EVs at home or on the go is possible, but what's the wait time like? Rivian provides R1T drivers with access to an in-house fast charger network which can deliver up to 140 miles within 20 minutes. Alternatively, drivers can leverage the Rivian Waypoints (25 miles hourly), home charging equipment like the Wall Charger (25 miles hourly), and portable charger (16 miles hourly for a 240V outlet and a few miles hourly for a 120V outlet). F-150 Lightning drivers can access 75,000+ DC fast chargers using the Ford Blue Oval network and get up to 54 miles in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the Ford Charge Station Pro (full charge in 8 hours) and mobile power cord (fill charge in 20 hours) can handle drivers' home charging needs.
It's worth noting that both trucks have displayed bi-directional charging capabilities, making them ideal for backup power duty. Perhaps one of the R1T's strong suits is the many storage locations that number 62 cu. ft. Drivers also get six onboard outlets, a camp kitchen, and cargo cross bars designed to hold adventure gear like e-bikes. Similarly, the Ford features a mega frunk capable of holding up to 400 lbs of payload. The rear seats can easily be flipped up, thus allowing drivers to store gear underneath.
While the F-150 Lightning offers buyers more options thanks to its many trim levels, Rivian's all-electric truck can be driven for up to 400 miles and can tow heavier loads. It's worth noting that Ford’s truck can power homes for up to 10 days as a standby energy source. But then, the R1T’s 8 different drive modes make a strong case for the electric adventure truck. Essentially, both the R1T and F-150 Lightning are excellent utility trucks, but the former’s lineup of Roomy Entry & Exit, Pet Mode, and Snow Mode score extra points for Rivian’s EV.