Cybertruck vs Rivian R1T review from a long term owner

I have been fortunate to own a 2023 R1T quad motor for a little bit over 1 year. I have 19200 miles on it. It has been a dream vehicle and continues to get better with every software update. It has been trouble free except 1 windshield replacement (three rocks chips in 2 weeks), and 2 soft car resets. I do not 4-wheel, but I do camp. I tow a small trailer for work sometimes. I am a contractor and flip houses so I have always used the R1T as a true work/fun vehicle. I am fortunate to be able to charge at home, and I do not miss the LX570 or Q7 I owned in the last 10 years (both amazing cars for their time). I will NEVER own another ICE car for the rest of my life.


Back in 2019 I attempted to place a reservation for a Cybertruck (Attempted for over 2 hour at launch, then went to sleep because I kept getting error messages). The next morning I woke up to five reservations in my email box. I deleted 1, 3, and 4 and kept 2 and 5. My logic was let them work out the kinks out of early reservations, and maybe buy the second reservation and eventually get the fifth reservation to keep. (This is pre-Covid logic). Last week I was able to pick up my AWD Cybertruck. Let me start by saying that, Tesla is not an easy company to love. From their image to their delivery process they are borderline average at best.


The Cybertruck is a marvel of engineering. The 4 wheel steering and drive by wire are a game changer. I will not bore with the details because you can read all that online. For the last week I have been alternating everyday between the two cars to get a feel for them. I am no expert but I have owned my fair share of cars.


Comparing the two trucks: The Cybertruck feels larger inside including the second row. It is also smoother and a tiny bit quieter (35” tires on the Cybertruck vs 34” on the Rivian. Both A/T tires). The Rivian has way more storage everywhere except the much smaller bed. The Rivian interior is nicer. The pictures I took are of both cars are on their highest driving (not off road) settings. The Cybertruck looks much larger but that is not the case in real life. It is 8 inches longer and a little bit wider but they both fit in my garage.


The fingerprints on the Cybertruck are real for the first few days, but the body will oxidize and different cleaning product will render this a moot point soon. You will NOT be disappointed with either vehicle. They are both AMAZING. I will be happy to answer any specific comparison questions.

Thanks for sharing this. I am trading in my R1T to get my CT in a weeks time. I currently cant afford to keep both. R1T has served me well and it is difficult to part ways and Rivian is a great company. I am worried about CT with all the quality issues I keep reading .. Your post makes me feel better that I am sorry to let my R1T go but I will have CT AWD which will offer a different set of experiences. Hope all goes well. Thanks for this post. Best to you.

I know it's hard since it's new, but after the week is over, which one are you driving more? Which one do you like more? Or is it a trade-off game?

Congrats!!!

I too will be selling my R1T soon after I configure my Cybertruck online.

Being a Tesla and Rivian family I will miss the Rivian as well but the Cybertruck is my dream pickup truck. It will supposedly stand up to a category 4 hail storm.

"During the Cybertruck Delivery Day last November, Elon Musk toned down the shatter-proof claims and said that the windows should withstand the impact of a baseball at 70 mph (112 kph) or class 4 hail. Class 4 is the highest level of hail protection, withstanding the impact from a 2-inch (51 mm) hail ball dropped from 20 feet."

The durability factor beats any other vehicle currently for sale in the US. It's the #1 reason why I placed an early deposit.

The CT is anti planned obsolescence. I predict you won't find many CT's sitting in salvage yards in the future unless it has been totaled by an insurance company.

A borosilicate infused windshield, dual pane shatterproof window glass, virtually dent and rust proof SS exterior panels, etc. are very appealing to me.

Speedr said:

I know it's hard since it's new, but after the week is over, which one are you driving more? Which one do you like more? Or is it a trade-off game?

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It is not about which one I drive more. It about which one works best for your situation. I would compare them as a BMW M3 versus a BMW M5. Both are/were the standard of the industry. I am not comparing the size of the two cars. My particular use case necessitates a tougher exterior body and a larger bed. I will always have a soft spot for the Rivian, it is an amazing vehicle and I couldn't describe how many times it put a smile on my face... I promise you will not be disappointed with either truck. Trust yourself and you will be fine.

I am fortunate to currently also have both '22 LE Rivian R1T and have been alternating as well, to determine my long-term direction. I appreciate your post. Undecided currently. CT steering and quietness is definitely preferred. My Rivian journey has been a struggle, unlike yours.

I never seriously entertained the idea of buying an R1T during the long wait for my Cybertruck (4+ years). I watched many reviews of the R1T, so I'm aware of its features and performance.

Four things went against the Rivian:
1) Short bed
2) Lack of reliable charging on road trips
3) No FSD - this is a must have for me. It's an incredible safety factor, and will one day be unsupervised.
4) I'm concerned about Rivian's long term viability as a company

Cybertruck had none of these shortcomings.

You nailed it!

I have an R1S and my biggest question is over the additional $65k to buy the Cyberbeast. In many ways the Tesla might be better but I’m not convinced it’s that much better.

Cybergirl said:

I never seriously entertained the idea of buying an R1T during the long wait for my Cybertruck (4+ years). I watched many reviews of the R1T, so I'm aware of its features and performance.

Four things went against the Rivian:
1) Short bed
2) Lack of reliable charging on road trips
3) No FSD - this is a must have for me. It's an incredible safety factor, and will one day be unsupervised.
4) I'm concerned about Rivian's long term viability as a company

Cybertruck had none of these shortcomings.

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Shorter bed in the Rivian, but it also has a gear tunnel which is a must in my ownership experience. Lack of DC charging? Rivian owners can use both CCS & Tesla. FSD? Currently, Rivian's Drivers + is better than the current Cybertruck. Long term? Who knows about either?

BigE said:

Shorter bed in the Rivian, but it also has a gear tunnel which is a must in my ownership experience. Lack of DC charging? Rivian owners can use both CCS & Tesla. FSD? Currently, Rivian's Drivers + is better than the current Cybertruck. Long term? Who knows about either?

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I explained why I didn't chose to buy the R1T. My reasons are as valid today as they were three years ago. Your reasons for buying an R1T are also valid. We don't have to agree with each other.

love@1sight said:

Thanks for sharing this. I am trading in my R1T to get my CT in a weeks time. I currently cant afford to keep both. R1T has served me well and it is difficult to part ways and Rivian is a great company. I am worried about CT with all the quality issues I keep reading .. Your post makes me feel better that I am sorry to let my R1T go but I will have CT AWD which will offer a different set of experiences. Hope all goes well. Thanks for this post. Best to you.

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I replaced my R1T with a CT as well. There are things I will miss with the Rivian, like the gear tunnel, but I do not regret making the switch. They are both great trucks but I prefer the CT.

The biggest issue I had with Rivian is their service. They wanted me to wait 4 months to get the tailgate sensor replaced at my local service center (<2 miles from my work) or wait 6 weeks but drive the truck to a temporary service center 40 miles away and they would not provide a loaner and Uber cost round trip would have been over Rivian’s $100 credit.

79k R1T dual motor with max pack that qualifies for tax credits or 100k foundation series dual motor?

I definitely want a Cybertruck the size of Rivian, short/small bed-I am not a truck person but want Cybertruck.

I'm looking at leasing an R1T in lieu of getting the Cybertruck. Been watching the Out of Spec videos and thinking the R1T might be the better deal and has overall better ratings/reviews from those who have reviewed the two vehicles.... Plus, now the R1T has a Dog Mode equivalent feature.