2026 rivian r1t quad max road test review the electric truck lives FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Rivian founder and CEO R.J. Scaringe wants to anchor his company as a software powerhouse, developing key features and expertise that extend far beyond Rivian's models. Earlier this month, the much-anticipated R2 midsize crossover dropped, sending enthusiasts and the stock market into a tizzy. There's a lot going on with Rivian, but in the meantime, let's zoom in on one of its original models, the R1T. In short, Rivian still makes a damn good truck. 2026 rivian r1t quad max road test review the electric truck lives I spent a week in the 2026 R1T Quad Max, which stickers for $123,885. It exudes the modern outdoorsy-chic that's very much in vogue right now, and it's one of the last all-electric trucks still standing, which is hard to believe. The power and the range are excellent, and the R1T has a well-crafted interior. My two criticisms are simple: The lofty price tag, and the cabin has no buttons, which will annoy many buyers of all ages. That said, the Quad Max is the tip of the sphere for the R1T, competing with the GMC Hummer EV pickup, the top-end Tesla Cybertruck, the Cyberbeast, and things like the fully loaded GMC Sierra Denali and Chevy Silverado EVs. If there's a supertruck war still going on, Rivian is very much in the fight. Drop down to a lower trim level to a dual or tri-motor variant, and the R1T is a strong value proposition. 2026 rivian r1t quad max road test review the electric truck lives But the R1T Quad Max buyer wants it all, and I can respect that. The truck delivers 375 miles of range with an eye-watering 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft from its four electric motors that can hit 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. This is a pickup truck we're talking about, and it is blindingly quick. Depress the accelerator and hold on, especially in Sport mode. With chilly temps, I actually dropped my R1T into Conserve mode, which promises more than 400 miles of range. While I didn't see that number, Conservative mode, well, conserved the electrons enough that I was able to stretch out my charging stops. When I did need to juice up, on a random warm February afternoon, I was able to get my needed range quickly and in comfort. While charging, I took note of the interior, which, as I have written, exudes a Scandinavian luxury feel. For this price, it should be, but Rivian uses the interior to help define its brand, which is still relatively new and not a household name. With a cheaper interior, maybe Rivian only stands modestly or as mainstream. But by ambitiously crafting something more, it makes the buyer feel like they have purchased something special, and perhaps even earns a sense of congratulatory accomplishment. Walnut wood, Rivian's airy dynamic glass roof, a silky audio system, and perforated vegan leather seats reinforce the vibes. The Top 10 Most Popular Paint Colors For Cars 2026 rivian r1t quad max road test review the electric truck lives The 15.6-inch touchscreen is mostly easy to use. The navigation is simple, and I configured my drive modes easily via the push of a button. Same with cuing up seat heaters. The only downside here is that the audio controls are dense, and that's where you need a button or two, as I found myself diving through a couple of screens to change the radio and adjust the volume. It just takes too much time to do something that should take no time at all, and it's distracting. That said, Rivian gets a lot of the intangibles right, like the way the doors clack shut like an old-school off-roader and the playful owl-hooting sound when locking the vehicle. Both things are endearing to enthusiasts of all ages. The powertrain's sound is decent, too. The all-electric truck produces something close to a naturally aspirated four-cylinder noise. That might not sound all that good, but it tells people around you that a vehicle is in motion. This fake four-banger feels more organic than the Chevy Equinox hovercraft hum or Dodge's boisterous Charger howl. 2026 rivian r1t quad max road test review the electric truck lives Design-wise, the R1T earns kudos for its sleek, minimalist silhouette. The upright headlights, subtle curves, and tucked-under wheels give it distinctive character and set it apart from the rest of the electric truck segment. It stands in contrast to Chevy, Ford, and Tesla's over-the-top designs. I happen to think the R1T stands out more on the road than its SUV sibling, the R1S, but that's personal preference. This is the second generation of the R1 line, which was updated for 2025 with improved powertrains and software, though the looks are largely the same. Rivian has grown up a little bit, removing things like the tunnel pass-through behind the cabin for golf clubs and fishing poles (Hello, it's a truck, why bother?) and, as I've noted, dressing up the interior. gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail gallery thumbnail With the arrival of the R2 followed by the R3, it's fair to ponder what the future holds for the older, more expensive, and larger R1T and R1S. After all, many startups (Polestar, Tesla, Lucid) move beyond their initial product range as they try to achieve greater commercial success. If I were Rivian, I'd stick with its OG products. They're updated, competitive, and could gain traction as others retreat from EVs. Will the R1 line fade as the others gain sales and prominence? Sure. Likely. But the R1T is a foundational product in every way. I'd keep it around for a while. Who knows? Maybe it will be the last electric truck left standing. 2025 Toyota Crown Signia: All the Details