What We Learned After Testing a Rivian R1T for 40,000 Miles

Read more: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a45618489/2023-rivian-r1t-adventure-reliability-maintenance/ The sound of a couple arguing filled the campground at Michigan's Copper Harbor. Amid the clanging of tent poles and jingling from the collar on their dog, their relationship withered. The tent they'd battled to set up through a downpour didn't have a rain fly. We, on the other hand, felt snug and smug as we watched the show from under the awning of a tent mounted above the bed of the Rivian R1T. This was the truck's last big road trip before the end of its long-term test. The slickness of our camp setup largely mirrored the smoothness of our R1T experience over 40,000 miles. The trials and tribulations of our long-term tests often reveal problems that shorter encounters cannot. It was certainly true of our last 40,000-mile EV experience, with a 2019 Tesla Model 3, which left us stranded on Christmas with a dead rear inverter. Gas-powered cars have also stumbled: A Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing experienced engine failure, we replaced a leaking oil-pan gasket and the transmission in a Kia Sorento, and a Jeep Gladiator Mojave needed a new rear-axle assembly before 25,000 miles. Rivian might lack the age and experience of longstanding automakers, but outside of a few squeaks and creaks, our R1T had a mostly trouble-free 40,000 miles. Subscribe to Car and Driver http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoCARandDRIVER 00:00 Intro 01:10 Our 40,000-mile test 01:41 OTA updates 02:53 Tesla charging network 03:58 DC fast charging speed and total charging cost 05:24 Gear tunnel and cooking equipment 07:20 Tent 08:57 Maintenance and service 10:17 Tire replacement 10:48 Ride comfort and steering 11:38 Camp mode 13:30 Front storage 14:02 Towing experience and range 15:15 Creaks and rattles 16:00 The annoying keyfob 17:32 UI frustrations 19:03 Conclusion

Added 6 May 2026