The 2025 Rivian R1T, especially when configured with the Dual Motor setup and Max battery pack, is advertised as Rivian’s longest-range electric vehicle. Boasting an impressive EPA-rated range of 420 miles, it sets high expectations for potential owners. However, a recent real-world range and charging test has revealed that the actual performance might not fully live up to these claims, particularly when it comes to charging speed and highway driving efficiency.
Rivian’s updated 2025 R1T and R1S models have introduced several improvements, including a heat pump for enhanced efficiency and manufacturing refinements. These updates promised better performance across the board, even with different battery pack options, including a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for the base model. While improvements were anticipated, independent testing is crucial to verify these claims in real-world scenarios.
To investigate the road-trip readiness of the refreshed R1T, Kyle Conner from Out of Spec Reviews conducted a thorough test of a 2025 Rivian R1T equipped with the Dual Motor drivetrain and the Max battery pack. The aim was to assess its performance as a long-distance travel companion. The findings, unfortunately, suggest that there’s room for improvement, especially concerning charging capabilities.
During the test, the Rivian R1T, with its stated 420-mile EPA range and a 141.5 kWh usable battery capacity, was driven down to a 10% state of charge. The destination was a Tesla Supercharger, chosen for its accessibility to all EV brands and its reputation for fast charging. Prior to arrival, the battery was preconditioned to optimize charging speed, a standard procedure for maximizing DC fast charging efficiency in electric vehicles. The expectation was that the 400-volt architecture of the R1T would allow it to draw close to its maximum advertised charging rate of 250 kW at the Supercharger.
However, upon plugging in, the charging rate peaked at a disappointing 173 kW. This is significantly lower than the expected 250 kW, despite ideal conditions including battery preconditioning and no apparent limitations from the charging station itself. After a 15-minute charging session, the Rivian R1T only managed to increase its state of charge to 36%, adding 43 kWh of energy. This slower-than-anticipated charging speed can noticeably extend charging stops during long journeys.
Following the charging test, Conner proceeded to evaluate the highway range of the Rivian R1T. Driving at a constant 82 miles per hour, he encountered an unexpected issue: the adaptive cruise control malfunctioned. This forced him to manually maintain speed using the accelerator pedal, a less efficient method for long-distance driving. Throughout the highway range test, the climate control was set to “Auto,” and the air suspension was lowered to its most aerodynamic setting to maximize efficiency. After covering just 75 miles at highway speed, the battery state of charge plummeted back down to 10%, with an observed energy consumption of 1.93 miles per kWh. This figure indicates that achieving the advertised 420-mile Rivian Range in real-world highway driving conditions may be challenging.
Kyle Conner’s assessment of the charging performance was blunt: “What an absolutely dreadful charging performance.” He highlighted that all necessary conditions for optimal charging were present, yet the Rivian R1T failed to draw power at the expected rate. This subpar charging experience translates directly to longer charging times for Rivian R1T owners during road trips, impacting the overall convenience and practicality of long-distance travel.
It’s important to note that Conner still acknowledged the Rivian R1T’s strengths, praising its off-road capabilities, comfortable ride, and overall driving dynamics. However, the charging performance remains a significant area where Rivian needs to focus improvements to enhance the vehicle’s appeal as a long-range EV and road trip машина. While the 2025 Rivian R1T with the Max battery pack represents Rivian’s flagship for range, starting at $83,900, and the base model with the Standard battery offers a 270-mile EPA range at a starting price of $69,900, the real-world charging experience needs to align with the expectations set by the advertised Rivian range figures.
