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The era of electric pickup trucks is moving ahead with full force. The competition aims to be fierce — with the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning already earning rave reviews. However, the R1T has some advantages in its favor. Here are four ways the 2023 Rivian R1T is better than the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning.

2023 Rivian R1T delivers better performance than the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning

Front angle view of orange-red 2023 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck
2023 Rivian R1T | Rivian

The first way that the 2023 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck is better than the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is performance. The R1T comes equipped with a quad-motor system, which has an electric motor for each wheel. It churns out an impressive 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque.

In comparison, the F-150 Lightning offers two versions of a dual-motor system. The base version generates 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, while the available one boosts the horsepower output to 580 hp. As you can see, the F-150 Lightning doesn’t come close to producing the output of the R1T.

Furthermore, the R1T boasts quicker acceleration than the F-150 Lightning. It has a 0-60 mph time as low as 3.0 seconds, compared to 3.8 seconds for the F-150 Lightning.

2023 R1T has longer driving range than the 2023 F-150 Lightning

Front angle view of red 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

The second way that the 2023 Rivian R1T is better than the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is it has longer driving range. “Range anxiety” is one of the biggest concerns for EVs. It’s good to have the peace of mind that you can comfortably make it back home or to the nearest charging station before the battery runs too low.

For range anxiety, you’ll have less of a concern with the R1T. Depending on the configuration, it has an estimated driving range between 260-400+ miles, compared to 230-320 miles for the F-150 Lightning.

Rivian R1T has better off-road capabilities than the Ford F-150 Lightning

Rear angle view of blue 2023 Rivian R1T EV truck
2023 Rivian R1T | Rivian

The third way that the 2023 R1T electric pickup truck is better than the 2023 F-150 Lighting is off-road capabilities. If you want to go on wilderness adventures, then you’ll likely be pleased with the R1T, for it’s one of the best off-roading trucks available. 

The quad-motor system in the R1T provides smooth torque delivery to each wheel as needed for optimal traction on rugged terrain. Furthermore, the torque delivery in the EV truck is instantaneous. This is especially important when rock crawling, for the instantaneous torque delivery prevents wheel slippage. 

Also, the R1T has an adjustable air suspension that can raise its ground clearance to a height of 14.9 inches. Additionally, the electric truck has various drive modes for different driving situations. This includes Off-Road Auto, Off-Road Rock Crawl, Off-Road Rally, Off-Road Drift, All-Purpose, Sport, Conserve, and Tow Mode.

2023 R1T offers generous benefits that the 2023 F-150 Lightning can’t match

The fourth way that the 2023 R1T is better than the 2023 F-150 Lightning is the Rivian Membership program. It offers a wide array of generous benefits. This includes:

  • Free unlimited charging
  • Rivian off-Roadside Assistance: Rivian will send a recovery vehicle if your R1T gets stuck in the wilderness
  • Charge Assurance: If your R1T runs out of battery power, Rivian will send someone to recharge it. 
  • Unlimited 4G LTE connectivity
  • Rivian mile-matching: For every mile that you drive with your R1T, Rivian matches it with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. 
  • Unique Rivian-led experiences: Adventures and gatherings with other Rivian members, stewardship meet-ups, children’s activities, and educational programs 

The 2023 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck is better than the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning for performance, driving range, off-road capabilities, and a generous membership program. When deciding which electric pickup truck to get, these are key factors to consider.

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