Compare the2023 Ford F-150 LightningVS 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 F-150 Lightning 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.

The F-150 Lightning has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The R1T doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The F-150 Lightning has a standard Reverse Brake Assist 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 F-150 Lightning and R1T have rear cross-traffic warning, but the F-150 Lightning has 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 F-150 Lightning and the R1T have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The F-150 Lightning’s standard electric motors produces 175 lbs.-ft. more torque (775 vs. 600) than the R1T Dual Motor’s standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the F-150 Lightning gets better mileage than the R1T:

The F-150 Lightning can travel longer on a full charge than the R1T on a full charge:

For better stopping power the F-150 Lightning’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R1T:

The F-150 Lightning stops shorter than the R1T:

The Ford F-150 Lightning’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 F-150 Lightning 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 F-150 Lightning’s wheelbase is 9.7 inches longer than on the R1T (145.5 inches vs. 135.8 inches).

The Ford F-150 Lightning may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 1150 pounds less than the Rivian R1T.

For excellent aerodynamics, the F-150 Lightning has standard flush composite headlights. The R1T has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the F-150 Lightning Short Bed Platinum is quieter than the R1T:

The F-150 Lightning has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 7.6 inches more front hip room, 6.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 7 inches more rear legroom, 8.4 inches more rear hip room and 7.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the R1T.

The F-150 Lightning’s cargo box is larger than the R1T’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the F-150 Lightning. The R1T doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The F-150 Lightning has a much higher standard payload capacity than the R1T (2000 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The F-150 Lightning has a much higher optional payload capacity than the R1T (2235 vs. 1764 lbs.).

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the F-150 Lightning XLT/Lariat/Platinum’s exterior PIN entry system. The R1T doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the F-150 Lightning’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the R1T’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the F-150 Lightning has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The R1T doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The F-150 Lightning’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.

The F-150 Lightning Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the R1T.

The F-150 Lightning Platinum’s Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R1T doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the F-150 Lightning as the 2023 North American Truck of the Year. The R1T has never been chosen.

The Ford F-Series outsold the Rivian R1T by almost 55 to one during 2022.