The Rivian R1T is the first electric pickup truck to hit the market and has been named the 2022 MotorTrend Truck of the Year.
The publication judged some of this year’s best pickup trucks based on six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function. The R1T excelled in all categories and joins the Lucid Air as Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and the Genesis GV70 as the SUV of the Year.
Watch Also: The All-Electric Rivian R1T Is A Game Changer For The Pickup Truck Market
Engineering excellence is an area where the R1T performed particularly well. It features a skateboard platform, meaning it is similar to body-on-frame pickups. However, Rivian did manage to engineer-in a number of neat features, such as the gear tunnel and the integrated tonneau cover. The R1T is also the first production vehicle to feature independent electric motors at each wheel, resulting in a pickup that has better handling than any other on the market while still being able to perform very well off-road.
While the R1T is out of the price range of most consumers, Motor Trend says it offers good value, particularly compared to the GMC Hummer EV as it can tow more, haul more, is better to drive, and has a nicer interior. It also matches up well with all ICE trucks on the market.
“MotorTrend’s 2022 Truck of the Year announcement may be our most significant since 1949,” MotorTrend Group Head of Editorial Ed Loh said in a statement. “The Rivian R1T is a monumental achievement and astonishes with a quality of design, engineering, materials, and technology unmatched in trucks today, while providing a driving experience like that of a high-performance luxury car. As the first all-electric pickup truck to market, the R1T manages to achieve all of this without offending historic truck-buyer sensibilities. For these reasons and more, MotorTrend is honored to name the Rivian R1T our 2022 Truck of the Year.”
