Compare the2023 Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram 1500 (except Tradesman/HFE) offers optional Reverse Stop 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 Ram 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ram 1500’s reliability 13 points higher than the R1T.

For better stopping power the Ram 1500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R1T:

The Ram 1500 stops shorter than the R1T:

For better traction, the Ram 1500’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R1T (285/45R22 vs. 275/55R21).

The Ram 1500’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1T’s optional 50 series tires.

The Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram 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.

The Ram 1500’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The R1T doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the R1T (140.5 inches vs. 135.8 inches). The Ram 1500 standard bed Crew Cab Pickup’s wheelbase is 17.7 inches longer than on the R1T (153.5 inches vs. 135.8 inches).

The Ram 1500 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1700 to 2400 pounds less than the Rivian R1T.

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

The Ram 1500 offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The R1T doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 is quieter than the R1T:

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

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ram 1500 Crew Cab’s available rear seats recline. The R1T’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ram 1500 Big Horn/Rebel/Laramie/Longhorn/Limited. The R1T doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Rivian R1T is limited to 11000 pounds. The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab offers up to a 12750 lbs. towing capacity.

The Ram 1500 4WD 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 Ram 1500 can be unhitched and driven around locally. The R1T can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Ram 1500 short bed Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 has a higher standard payload capacity than the R1T (1840 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Ram 1500 short bed Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 has a higher optional payload capacity than the R1T (1860 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Ram 1500 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.

Consumer Reports rated the Ram 1500’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 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn/Limited 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 Ram 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 Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited 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 Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited has standard front air conditioned seats and the Ram 1500 Longhorn/Limited offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The R1T doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The R1T doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Ram 1500 comes in extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Rivian R1T isn’t available as an extended cab.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ram 1500, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Rivian R1T isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 first among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The R1T isn’t in the top three.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Ram 1500 as the 2019 North American Truck of the Year. The R1T has never been chosen.

The Ram Pickup outsold the Rivian R1T by over 39 to one during 2022.