Previewing a future battle between two intriguing EV pickups.
Future Competitors
With a veritable flood of electric pickup trucks on the way, perhaps none have been as warmly received as the Ford F-150 Lightning, save for its very unconventional future foe, the Tesla Cybertruck. Then there's the Rivian R1T, an intriguing option from an upstart automaker that's ironically financially backed by Ford. Regardless, these two trucks will be competing against each other in a new market segment, so it's worth taking a closer look at how they stack up.
Photos: Ford
Styling
EVs are often styled in a manner that's, well, unique, to say the least. But the F-150 Lightning looks an awful lot like its ICE-powered counterpart, which should appeal to traditional buyers who don't necessarily want to drive something that looks like it just drove off the set of some futuristic sci-fi movie. On the flip side, the R1T looks somewhat like a traditional truck, albeit with a unique look that is thoroughly modern.
Photos: Rivian
>>Join the conversation about the Lightning vs the R1T right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Materials
Like its ICE counterparts, the F-150 Lightning's body is made from aluminum, and it rides on a steel chassis. The R1T utilizes a similar combination, though it also employs carbon fiber in various places to shed weight. Both vehicles have their battery packs placed in the center and low to the ground to aid handling and stability.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Lightning vs the R1T right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Power and Performance
The Lightning offers two powertrain choices, both of which consist of dual electric motors - a base version with 426 horsepower, and an upgraded version with 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque, with ranges of 230 or 300 miles and 0-60 performance in around 4.5 seconds. The R1T has four electric motors generating a combined 800 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque, offers either 300 or 400 miles of range, and does 0-60 in the 3-second range.
Photos: Rivian
>>Join the conversation about the Lightning vs the R1T right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Payload, Towing, Cargo Space
The F-150 Lightning can haul as much as 2,000 pounds and tow as much as 10,000 pounds, and also offers an impressive 14.1 cubic feet of additional storage in its giant frunk. Meanwhile, the R1T can haul up to 1,760 pounds and tow over 11,000 pounds, with 11 cubic feet of space in the frunk. The smaller R1T's bed is a bit shorter at 4.5-feet, though it also offers a "gear tunnel" behind the rear seat that provides 65 additional inches of storage space.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Lightning vs the R1T right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Pricing
One can pay a little or a lot for the F-150 Lightning, depending on trim level. The base Pro work truck spec starts out at $39,974, followed by the XLT ($52,974), Larait ($58,630), and Platinum ($69,500), while the truck will top out at around $90k when fully equipped. Meanwhile, the R1T can be had for $67,500 in Explore trim, $73,000 for the sold-out Launch Edition, and $73,000 for the Adventure Package.
Photos: Rivian
>>Join the conversation about the Lightning vs the R1T right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
For help with the service of your truck check out the how-to section of Ford-Trucks.com.
