Compare the2025 Ram 1500VS 2024 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 has standard 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 and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 first among large light duty pickups in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The R1T isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ram vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 117 more problems per 100 vehicles, Rivian is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 13 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ram 1500 6-foot Box Quad Cab’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the R1T (140.6 inches vs. 135.8 inches). The Ram 1500 6-foot Box Crew Cab’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 2100 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 uses 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.

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 Lariat/Limited/Tungsten’s 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 and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ram 1500. The R1T doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Ram 1500 offers an optional Fold-Out Bumper Step, which folds out and allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Rivian R1T doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

Maximum trailer towing in the Rivian R1T is limited to 11000 pounds. The Ram 1500 6-foot Box Tradesman 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 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the R1T (2320 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Ram 1500 has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the R1T (2421 vs. 1764 lbs.).

The Ram 1500 (except Tradesman) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 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.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Ram 1500’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The R1T doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Ram 1500 Limited/Tungsten 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 Ram 1500’s optional Autonomous Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 second 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.

The Ram Pickup outsold the Rivian R1S/R1T by over 9 to one during 2023.