Compare the2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500VS 2023 Rivian R1T

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Silverado 1500 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R1T doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Silverado 1500 offers optional Rear Cross Traffic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R1T doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Silverado 1500 and R1T offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Silverado 1500 with cross-traffic warning also has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R1T’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Silverado 1500 and the R1T have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Silverado 1500 first among large light duty pickups in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The R1T isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Rivian R1T only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Silverado 1500 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The R1T doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Silverado 1500 has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the R1T. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Silverado 1500 Standard Box Crew Cab Trail Boss’ wheelbase is 21.2 inches longer than on the R1T (157 inches vs. 135.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Silverado 1500 Standard Bed Regular Cab’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the R1T’s (40.7 feet vs. 44.9 feet).

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1600 to 2750 pounds less than the Rivian R1T.

The Silverado 1500 Standard Bed Regular Cab is 6.2 inches shorter than the R1T, making the Silverado 1500 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Silverado 1500 Work Truck/Custom has standard flush composite headlights. The R1T has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Silverado 1500 Double Cab has standard seating for 6 passengers; the R1T can only carry 5.

The Silverado 1500 Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the R1T shortbed (63.9 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

The Silverado 1500’s cargo box is larger than the R1T’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox and standard locking underseat storage drawer (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Silverado 1500. The R1T doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Rivian R1T is limited to 11000 pounds. The Silverado 1500 Standard Box Double Cab offers up to a 13300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Silverado 1500 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Silverado 1500 can be unhitched and driven around locally. The R1T can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Silverado 1500 Short Box W/T Crew Cab 4x4 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the R1T (2010 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Silverado 1500 Short Box W/T Crew Cab 4x4 has a much higher optional payload capacity than the R1T (2080 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Silverado 1500 ZR2/LTZ/High Country offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R1T doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Silverado 1500’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The R1T doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

When the Silverado 1500 ZR2/LTZ/High Country is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The R1T’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Rivian R1T isn’t available as a regular cab or extended cab.

The Silverado 1500 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The R1T doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Silverado as the 2014 North American Truck of the Year. The R1T has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Silverado outsold the Rivian R1T by over 43 to one during 2022.