Rivian recently gave the entry-level Explore trim the ax. The Explore trim was the only way many Americans could afford an R1T model. Has the Rivian R1T electric truck become too expensive for Americans even to consider?

The Rivian R1T will cost you over $70K

America’s electric future is producing some of the coolest vehicles ever made. The new EV space is also responsible for some of the most expensive vehicles ever made. The R1T may offer incredible performance specs, but those specs come at a price that is much too high for most average Americans to pay.

The Rivian R1T was America’s first electric pickup truck. The R1T is also the most expensive electric pickup truck thus far. The R1T Explore started at $67,500. It wasn’t affordable, but it was still under $70K, and that was enough for some American consumers to take a chance on the innovative new electric pickup truck.

Now, the Rivian R1T will only be available in Adventure and Launch Edition trims. The Adventure trim starts at a whopping $73,000.

Is the Rivian R1T worth the money?

The Rivian R1T has some amazing capabilities that justify its price tag to some buyers. It uses an adjustable air suspension. The R1T has a maximum of 14.9 inches of ground clearance. Its ground clearance allows the pickup to make quick work of most off-road obstacles.

Rivian’s electric pickup truck is specially equipped to excel at off-roading. It’s easy to see why companies like Amazon and Ford invested in the electric vehicle startup.

R1T models are worth the money in terms of value thanks to their tech, power, and off-roading prowess. The issue with the R1T is that it costs so much more than the average new vehicle.

Now that the Explore trim is gone, many consumers will be forced to explore other options like the Ford F-150 Lightning. Ford’s electric pickup truck is more affordable, and it has become much more popular than the R1T. Affordability plays a huge role in the F-150 Lightning’s dominance in the electric pickup truck space. Rivian’s electric truck is essentially a luxury vehicle in terms of pricing. Now that the company will no longer offer its former entry-level trim, the EV has become even more out of reach for the average Joe.

What’s the best Rivian R1T alternative?

Truthfully, there just isn’t anything like the R1T on the market right now, and that’s why consumers are willing to pay high prices for the new electric vehicle. The Blue Oval makes an amazing electric pickup truck, but the R1T completely outclasses it in the performance category.

The Rivian R1T can physically go places that the Ford F-150 Lightning can’t because of its amazing off-roading ability. There’s no equivalent to the R1T, but upper F-150 Lightning trim levels are cool enough for some drivers to choose over Rivian’s pickup.

According to Car and Driver, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT now starts at $61,269 after a recent price bump. The F-150 Lightning XLT isn’t exactly affordable either, but it offers plenty of utility for its price. If you had your eyes on a new Rivian R1T Explore, the F-150 Lightning XLT is a great next choice. It features a massive Mega Power Frunk and several power outlets to power multiple accessories and devices at once. The F-150 Lightning makes 426 horsepower and a massive 775 lb-ft of torque. The EV has a 230-mile driving range.

Read more about the Ford F-150 Lightning in the next article below.