Rivian R1 T's Interior: Everything You Need To Know (2023)
Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash
The automotive industry is riding a wave of electrified pickup trucks, and at the forefront of this movement is the Rivian R1T. In fact, Rivian beat its more established competitors to market. The Ford F-150 Lightning is just now rolling out of the factory, and the Chevrolet Silverado
EV won’t see the streets until 2023, and the release date for the Tesla Cybertruck keeps getting pushed back. With R1T deliveries underway, it’s only natural for EV (electric vehicle) shoppers to be curious about the company’s first vehicle. So there’s no better time to explore what this truck offers. Rather than cover the entire vehicle, we’ll focus on the Rivan R1T interior for this article.
GET A CURATED LIST OF THE BEST RIVIAN LISTINGS
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a Rivian. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll send you a curated list of the best used Rivian listings in your area - no more scrolling through hundreds of listings looking for hidden gems.
Rivian R1T Interior: Primary Features By Trim
Here’s what each version of the Rivian R1T has to offer on the inside. The Explore trim is the least-expensive R1T; it comes with:
- Leatherette-trimmed seating (Rivian calls it vegan leather)
- Panoramic glass roof
- Heated seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Base audio system (Rivian doesn’t share the specifics)
- Matte-black interior finishes
- Driver’s seat lumbar adjustments
- Floor mats made from 100% recycled textiles
Upgrading to Adventure trim upgrades the cabin and includes:
- Upgraded vegan leather with perforations and patterned stitching
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Wood interior trim
- Meridian audio system
- Yellow interior accents.
- Lumbar adjustments for both front seats
- Chilewich floor mats (a woven vinyl with improved durability and cleanability characteristics)
Rivian no longer sells the limited-run Launch Edition, but this exclusive version has all the Rivian R1T interior equipment from the Adventure, plus priority delivery and unique exterior features.
GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.
Rivian R1T Interior: Standout Features
Purchasers of the R1T Adventure will also get a removable Bluetooth speaker stored in the center console. The tissue-box-sized cube can transfer sounds from the audio system to a nearby location. The Adventure also includes a removable flashlight that gets stored and charged inside the driver’s door.
Storage
While the R1T doesn’t have a glove box, there are numerous other storage options inside the cabin. The center console houses a deep compartment that’s accessed via a pair of self-opening hatches. All doors include deep storage pockets, with the front doors having spring-loaded access flaps. In the second row, under-seat storage provides a discreet repository for items you want to keep out of sight.
The R1T offers other internal storage choices, although these are outside the cabin. Most notably is the exclusive Gear Tunnel. It’s an 11.6 cubic feet cargo area located behind the rear seats. A set of access doors (one on each side) opens up 65 inches of side-to-side space that’s waterproof and lockable, and the doors open to provide convenient seating. The area is also reachable through a backseat pass-through.
The Gear Tunnel can be enhanced with the available Camp Kitchen. It’s a $6,750 option that occupies the space with a slide-out cooking station. The innovative upgrade has two induction-heat elements, a four-gallon water tank, and a collapsible sink with a spray faucet. Rivian even includes a cook set with utensils, dishware, and prep tools.
Since the R1T is an EV, there’s no internal combustion engine. So, the front trunk (or frunk) provides more enclosed and secure storage. At the touch of a button (including on the remote and touchscreen), the R1T’s frunk opens and closes. It’s ample space, measuring 25.4 by 54.8 inches with a 22.7-inch depth. The total area is 11.1 cubic feet, so there’s plenty of room for coolers, suitcases, and other bulky items.
WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY
Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
Infotainment Display
The centerpiece of the Rivian R1T interior is the infotainment display. It’s a 16-inch screen that manages most of the truck’s equipment. Only a hazard light switch, an SOS button, and a pair of steering wheel controls operate separately from the display.
At the bottom of the screen are virtual buttons for the most commonly used systems, like climate control. Rivan even provides on-screen adjustments for the front vents (the backseat vents are manually adjustable).
One of the more interesting elements of the infotainment display is the Gear Guard Security System; it’s a light-hearted approach to a serious subject. An animated yeti character oversees the activation of 11 external cameras that record the area outside the vehicle while it’s parked.
Other on-screen functions include operating the audio system, monitoring the battery, and using navigation. There are also controls for the drive mode (sport, off-road, conserve, or towing) and the ride height. The adjustable ride height provides as much as 15 inches of clearance (for off-pavement travels) or drops to 8 inches for easier entry and exit.
Instrument Cluster
While Tesla’s iPad-like center display set the stage for other automakers (like Rivian), Elon Musk’s creations lack an instrument cluster. This means that a driver has to glance at the center screen for essential information like speed and the vehicle’s operating condition. Rivian and most other EV manufacturers are making up for this shortfall by including a driver-focused display screen. Think of it as a high-tech instrument cluster.
In Rivian’s case, the driver’s screen shows vital details (speed, etc.) and monitors advanced functions like charging status. There are also notifications for navigation, safety alerts, and the vehicle’s semi-autonomous driving functions.
THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS
If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.
What Owners Say About The Rivian R1T
With only about 5,000 R1Ts on the road (according to The Verge), there aren’t significant amounts of owner feedback. Remember that the company didn’t start delivering vehicles until September 2021, and supply chain issues haven’t helped either.
Skipping professional reviews, we scoured sources such as rivianforums.com, rivianownersforum.com, and YouTube for anecdotal comments from R1T owners. The most frequent complaint is a lagging infotainment system. Others lamented about the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Specific problems include an ill-fitting power tonneau cover (exclusive to the Launch Edition) and suspension issues.
On the positive side, owners report good experiences with Rivian’s customer service and the R1T’s overall excellent build quality. The truck’s neck-snapping speed (0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, according to Car and Driver) is another cause for smiles.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
