A 1,025 hp quad-motor electric ute with a 374-mile EPA range, an 11,000 lb tow rating and 0–60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds.
Background
The R1T was Rivian's first production vehicle. The second-generation (2025+) truck has been re-engineered with Rivian-designed drive units.
Powertrain
The 2026 Quad has one motor per wheel, making 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft. Car and Driver notes that is 215 hp and 290 lb-ft more than the previous Quad. The 140 kWh Max pack gives an EPA-estimated 374 miles.
Capability
It tows up to 11,000 lb with a weight-distributing hitch, and the Quad adds Kick Turn for tight off-road manoeuvres. It charges at up to 220 kW DC and has a NACS port.
Performance
Rivian quotes 0–60 mph in as quick as 2.5 s in Launch mode on 22-inch wheels.
Market
The R1T Quad starts at US$117,885. Rivian says Edmunds named the R1T its Top Rated Electric Truck for 2026.
Rivian's first product
Rivian launched the R1T as its first production vehicle. The second generation (2025 onward) brought major hardware and electrical changes, including Rivian-designed and built drive units for the tri- and quad-motor models.
Inside the Quad
Car and Driver lists two front motors at 256 hp and 257 lb-ft each, and two rear motors at 256 hp and 342 lb-ft each, for a combined 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft. The 140 kWh pack is liquid-cooled, and peak AC/DC charging is 11.5/220 kW.
Range
The Quad's EPA estimate is 374 miles, and Rivian quotes up to 400 miles in Conserve mode. Car and Driver measured 250 miles in its own highway range test, a reminder that real-world range varies.
Practicality
KBB lists 11.1 cubic feet of front-trunk ("frunk") cargo space, a 4.5-foot bed, five seats and an 1,669 lb payload for the Quad Launch Edition. Rivian offers a four-year or 50,000-mile basic warranty.
The verdict
No electric ute we considered combines this much power, range and towing in one truck, which makes the R1T Quad our 2026 Best Ute Electric.
The rivals
Electric ute rivals include the Tesla Cybertruck, our 2025 winner, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV and GMC Hummer EV. KBB's comparison shows the Silverado EV with a longer EPA range figure, while the R1T Quad leads on power and acceleration.
Who it suits
It suits buyers who want a premium electric ute with serious off-road ability, strong towing and very high performance, and who can charge regularly.
Our judging notes
The panel weighed the new in-house quad-motor drive, the balance of range, towing and performance, and independent recognition from Edmunds. That gave the R1T Quad the 2026 Best Ute Electric award.
Reading the numbers
The quad-motor layout puts a motor at each wheel, so torque can be controlled individually at all four corners. Rivian uses that for features like Kick Turn, which helps the truck pivot in tight off-road spots. The 1,198 lb-ft combined torque explains the 2.5-second 0–60 claim, which requires Launch mode and 22-inch Super Sport wheels. The 374-mile EPA range, with up to 400 miles in Conserve mode, is among the strongest for a high-performance electric ute.
Range of choices
The R1T line-up runs from dual-motor versions with up to 420 miles of EPA range through the 850 hp tri-motor to the 1,025 hp Quad. Prices start at US$79,990 for the dual-motor and US$117,885 for the Quad. Towing ranges from 7,700 lb to 11,000 lb depending on battery and motors.
Ownership
The standard NACS charging port gives R1T owners access to the Tesla Supercharger network in North America. Rivian's battery and drivetrain warranty, listed by Cars.com at 96 months or 150,000 miles, adds to its appeal for long-term ownership.
Practical touches
Practical features include the gear tunnel, a lockable storage compartment that runs across the truck between the cab and the bed. There is also a front trunk, and the bed can be specified with Rivian's accessory systems. These make the R1T usable as a daily vehicle as well as an adventure truck.
Verdict
The R1T Quad combines extreme performance, long range and genuine off-road ability, which no petrol ute can match in a single vehicle.
Specification breakdown
- Motors: Four (one per wheel), Rivian-designed drive units.
- Power: 1,025 hp.
- Torque: 1,198 lb-ft.
- 0–60 mph: As quick as 2.5 s (Launch mode, 22-inch wheels).
- Battery: 140 kWh Max pack.
- Range: 374 mi EPA est. (Quad).
- Charging: Up to 220 kW DC; NACS port.
- Towing: Up to 11,000 lb.
- Feature: Kick Turn (Quad).
- Price: From US$117,885 (Quad).
Why it won
The 2026 R1T Quad uses Rivian's in-house drive units, with one motor at each wheel for full torque vectoring. It adds 215 hp over the previous Quad, and it combines the range, towing and acceleration of an electric ute better than any rival we considered. Edmunds named the R1T its Top Rated Electric Truck for 2026.
Watch
Video: FOUR Motors & 1,000+ horsepower! 2026 Rivian R1T Quad Review (CarGurus)