Just because a vehicle is electric, like the Rivian R1T or Rivian R1S, doesn’t mean it can’t compete. Both the electric Rivian truck and SUV showed up for the Rebelle Rally and proved how capable they really are. Check out how well the Rivian R1T and R1S performed. 

The Rivian R1T and R1S tackled the Rebelle Rally 

We’re excited to share that the Rivian R1T and Rivian R1S conquered a new challenge! For a little background information, the Rebelle Rally is a women’s only off-roading race through the desert. 

Teams cover over 1,500 miles of challenging terrain across Nevada and southern California deserts. There are teams of two that include a navigator and a driver, but no modern tech is allowed. You don’t get a GPS, your phone, or navigation software. 

Instead, you have a map and a compass. You’re giving coordinates to certain checkpoints that you must meet before the time limit runs out each day. 

Plus, each vehicle is mostly stock. They aren’t designed to crawl over the rocks, sand dunes, lake beds, or other rally challenges. 

According to the Rebelle Rally, the R1T and R1S didn’t break a sweat. Lillian Macaruso and Alex Anderson came in fourth palace with the 2022 Rivian R1T. They defeated the Ford Bronco, Toyota Tacoma models, Toyota 4runner models, and the Jeep Gladiator. 

The 2022 Rivian R1S came in 20th place out of 45, so that’s still an incredible achievement. It defeated the Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Sequoia, Land Rover Defender, Ford Bronco models, and Jeep Wrangler models. However, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe came in first. 

How are the Rivian R1T and R1S equipped for off-roading? 

The 2022 Rivian R1T and R1S come with plenty of off-roading goodies. For example, each model comes with standard all-wheel drive. Plus, you get an adjustable air suspension. It can lower the suspension to 6.5-inches to make loading cargo easier. 

But you can raise the suspension to 14.4 inches to easily clear obstacles. It’s 3.3 inches taller than the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Also, the R1T and R1S can ford water up to 43.1 inches deep. 

The standard model comes with 21-inch tires, but you can upgrade to 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires or 22-inch wheels. Tow hooks and skid plates are included, but you can upgrade to thicker options. 

It comes with 120V outlets and a built-in air compressor. You can opt for the full-size spare tire, camp kitchen, and truck-mounted three-person tent. 

The Rivian R1T has a 34.0-degree approach angle, a 20.3-degree departure angle, and a break-over angle of 25.7 degrees. 

There are off-roading modes for Auto, Sand, Off-Road Rally, Off-Road Drift, and Rock Crawl. Each mode adjusts the suspension, ride height, acceleration response, regenerative braking, dampening, and power distribution to provide optimal settings for different types of terrain. 

How do you charge a Rivian EV in the wild? 

The 2022 Rivian R1T and R1S come with a 135-kWh battery pack and four electric motors that are mounted to each wheel. They combine to churn out 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque, which is an excellent amount of power for dominating obstacles. 

However, the range is limited to about an EPA-estimated 314 miles. So, hydrogen-powered trucks were out at the rally to charge electric vehicles. 

The Rivian R1T and Rivian R1S take about 13 hours to fully recharge with a level two charger or 220V outlet. With a DC Fast Charger, you can restore up to 140 miles of range in about 20 minutes. 

The teams are separated while their vehicles are charging, so they don’t get extra time to plot their routes. Also, the time spent charging is added to each round, so they get the same amount of time as gas-powered vehicles to reach checkpoints. 

We took a spin in the Rivian R1S in the Glamis sand dunes, and we were impressed. The R1S weighs 7,000 lbs but effortlessly glided over the sand. The suspension absorbed impacts for a smooth ride without any fuss. 

While the R1S felt a little less willing to go airborne, it can handle small and larger dips. The Sand Mode allowed it to glide up and over dunes in a peaceful manner. It felt smoother and was much quieter than the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 4xe.