2023 Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Rivian R1T - Side-by-Side Model Comparison

Electric sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs are now well-established in the automotive market, but now an increasing number of manufacturers have been turning their eyes to electric pickups. Two big names in electric pickups have already emerged, the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. With both of these being new vehicles in a new vehicle segment, we figured it would be helpful to put together a guide outlining how they stack up to one another.

Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Rivian R1T

First off, it has to be said that the R1T is quite expensive in its base configuration, coming in $13,000 more than the F-150 Lightning base MSRP. We’ve chosen the XLT trim for the Lightning and bigger batteries for both trucks, just so that the pricing, range, and charging times are as comparable as possible. So the first thing we’ll look at is power. The Rivian does have a bit more horsepower, but a lot less torque, which is an important thing to have in a truck. This extra power is also why the Lightning has quite a bit more towing capacity, especially when outfitted with the Max Towing Package. No such package exists for the R1T.

It’s not always easy to tell from photos, but the R1T is pretty small. The bed isn’t just a foot shorter than the Lightning’s, but also narrower and shallower too. The result is a much, much smaller cargo volume. Inside you’ll find a pretty similar situation, with considerably more space in the Lightning, especially in the back seat. But in spite of the size difference, it’s the R1T that’s heavier - almost 800 pounds heavier - which can be an issue depending on how you intend to use it. Also helping with usability is the Lightning’s 360 camera system, which gives you an excellent view of all sides of the truck. Rivian uses a fixed, single-angle camera, which is certainly better than no camera, but not quite up to the level of the one in the Ford. Lastly, both companies offer standard warranties, as well as drivetrain warranties and 5 years of roadside assistance, but only Ford offers a separate warranty for electrical components.