- Used Rivian R1T pickups can be had for less than $50,000.
- Many first model-year vehicles come with four motors and over 300 miles of range.
- The updated 2026 Rivian R1T Quad-Motor retails for over $110,000.
The first iteration of the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck took the United States by storm when it went on sale in 2022. It had loads of power, respectable real-world range, it looked cool, and it was off-road-ready.
Now, a brand-new updated version of the Quad-Motor-motor R1T, known as the Gen2, costs over $110,000. Go on the used market, though, and you can snag a first-gen model for less than half. As of this writing, several are for sale in the U.S. in the $60,000 range.
It almost sounds too good to be true, but that’s the reality of depreciation.
The 2022 Rivian R1T has different electric motors compared to the 2026 model.
Also, it’s worth keeping in mind that the first version of the Quad-Motor-motor R1T is quite different from the updated variant. Despite the two models looking nearly identical, there are big changes under the skin, with Rivian going from Bosch motors to its own drive units. The wiring also went through a major redesign, along with the layout of the car’s computers.
Nevertheless, the first iteration of the Rivian R1S with four electric motors is still a massively impressive machine, with over 300 miles of range on the Launch Edition trim, 835 horsepower, adjustable air suspension, and a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds.
With prices on the used market starting at around $40,000, it’s a sweet deal. But should you get one? After all, Rivian is still very much a startup, and getting a used car from a new automaker can prove troublesome. Here’s what you need to know.
Car & Driver’s editors had a first-gen, first-model-year R1T that they drove 40,000 miles. During this time, just two small niggles appeared, including a phantom alert for the gear tunnel, and a stuck Bluetooth camp speaker that couldn’t be taken out as it was designed to.
That’s small stuff, but it took three months just to get a service appointment, which is a very long time. Even though Rivian is opening more service centers around the country, there’s still a shortage–in some parts of the U.S., Rivian owners might have to drive several hours to get to a service center, so keep that in mind.
Maintenance-wise, Car & Driver’s R1T needed tire rotations and cabin air filter replacements. Halfway into the publication’s long-term test, at roughly 20,000 miles, the tires were also due for a change, which resulted in a $2,000 bill for a new set.
Ben Sullins, a YouTuber who’s known for his EV ownership videos, sold his Rivian R1T Quad-Motor after three years. During this time, the tires had to be replaced once, and a $400-volt 12-volt battery had to be replaced. Everything else was smooth sailing.
Edmunds, however, had a different experience. The publication’s 2022 R1T Quad-Motor Launch Edition experienced some minor annoyances, such as a front window trim that wouldn’t stay in place. The key fob died after six months of ownership, and somewhere along the 17,000-mile experience, a bunch of squeaks and rattles made their presence felt.
On the other hand, the car beat its EPA-rated 314-mile range figure, going 321 miles on a full charge in the real world, with 20-inch all-terrain tires.
But it’s not all fun and games, though. Edmunds’ R1T had a front motor inverter fault, which bricked the car and resulted in a tow truck making an appearance. The inverter was replaced for free under warranty.
Moreover, there have been scattered reports from owners who experienced several failures on early trucks. Most were solved under warranty, but in at least one case, the owner got so frustrated with the ownership experience that they sold the car to get away from the annoyances.
So do your homework. And as with any other used car, there will always be some risk associated with going down this route.
