​The Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T are leading contenders in the rapidly expanding electric pickup truck segment. Both vehicles have redefined expectations for electric trucks, combining traditional utility with cutting-edge technology. Let's compare these electric pickups to find out which one comes out on top.
Design and Features
The 2025 Ford Lightning and the Rivian R1T both have distinctive exterior designs combined with comfortable interiors featuring the latest tech.
Exterior Styling: Comparing Aesthetics
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning maintains the iconic F-150 silhouette while incorporating modern electric vehicle elements, featuring a distinctive front light bar that spans the width of the vehicle. Its military-grade aluminum-alloy body and fully boxed frame, constructed with 78% high-strength steel, demonstrates Ford's commitment to durability.
The Rivian R1T's design is more adventurous, featuring unique oval headlights and an expandable crossbar system for mounting outdoor gear. The F-150 Lightning is larger with a length of 232.7 inches, height of 78.3 inches, and width of 80.0 inches. The R1T is 217.1 inches long, 78.2 inches high, and 82.0 inches wide.
Interior Comfort and Technology
The F-150 Lightning features Ford's advanced SYNC 4 infotainment system with a standard 12-inch touch screen and a larger 15.5-inch touch screen on higher trims. The system includes FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi hot spot capability, offering seamless connectivity for passengers.
The Rivian R1T counters with a larger 15.6-inch infotainment display featuring enhanced processing capabilities. Its Connect+ subscription service provides streaming video and app access.
Both trucks provide ample passenger and storage space. The Rivian R1T's innovative storage solutions include an 11-cubic-foot frunk, a gear tunnel, and underbed storage. The Ford F-150 Lightning offers superior utility with its larger size, 14.1-cubic-foot frunk, bed, and rear seat legroom compared to the Rivian R1T.
Performance and Capabilities
Both electric pickup trucks offer a choice of powertrains that deliver impressive performance.
Powertrain, Motor Configurations, and Horsepower
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning offers two battery options with impressive power output. The Standard Range battery delivers 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, while the Extended Range battery increases output to 580 horsepower while maintaining the same torque.
The Rivian R1T provides multiple powertrain configurations. The Dual-Motor setup produces between 533 to 665 horsepower and 610 to 829 lb-ft of torque. The Tri-Motor configuration generates 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, while the range-topping Quad-Motor delivers an impressive 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque.
Driving Dynamics: Handling, Acceleration, and Off-Road Capabilities
Both trucks are capable performers on and off the road. The F-150 Lightning can go from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 4 seconds, while the R1T achieves this in just 2.5 seconds. If you're looking for an electric off-road truck to take in the trails around Red Lion, Pennsylvania, these trucks are more than capable. Both feature standard all-wheel drive and demonstrate exceptional off-road capabilities.
Towing Capacity and Payload
The Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range battery model can tow up to 10,000 pounds and offers a maximum payload capacity of 1,952 pounds. The Standard Range Battery version has a 7,700-pound towing capacity and 2,235-pound payload capacity.
The Rivian R1T edges out its competitor with a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, though its payload capacity is slightly lower at 1,764 pounds.
Battery Life, Range, and Charging Solutions
Whether you're using your truck for work in Red Lion or planning an extended trip, you'll want to know how these trucks compare in terms of driving range.
Battery Options and Real-World Range Estimates
The Ford F-150 Lightning offers two battery configurations: a Standard Range battery (98 kWh) providing up to 240 miles of range and an Extended Range battery (131 kWh) delivering up to 320 miles.
The Rivian R1T provides three battery options: Standard (92.5 kWh) with 258 miles of range, Large (109.4 kWh) with 292 miles, and Max (141.5 kWh) offering up to 420 miles of range.
Charging Infrastructure Compatibility and Times
The F-150 Lightning can charge from 15% to 80% in approximately 32 minutes (Standard Range) or 38 minutes (Extended Range) using DC fast charging. Level 2 charging from 0 to 100% takes about 11.7 hours for the Standard Range and 14.7 hours for the Extended Range model.
The R1T features peak DC fast-charging rates of 200 kW for the Standard battery and 220 kW for the Large and Max batteries, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in approximately 30 to 41 minutes. The F-150 Lightning produces 9.6 kilowatts of power compared to the R1T's 1.5 kilowatts, making it more suitable for powering homes or RVs.
Safety Features, Driver-Assistance Technologies, and Reliability
Both trucks have excellent safety ratings and feature advanced driver-assistance technology.
Safety Scores and Crash Test Results
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Rivian R1T "Good" ratings in small overlap front and side crash tests. While the IIHS hasn't rated the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded it a five-star overall rating and a five-star side crash rating.
Driver-Assistance Technologies Compared
The Ford F-150 Lightning features Ford BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving, complemented by Ford Co-Pilot360 safety features. These include pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist.
The Rivian R1T comes standard with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Its hands-free driving system utilizes 11 cameras and five radars, providing comprehensive coverage for enhanced safety.
Maintenance Coverage and Warranty Information
The Ford F-150 Lightning has a limited warranty of three years or 36,000 miles and an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for its battery. Ford provides roadside assistance coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. The Rivian R1T comes with a limited warranty of five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty extending to eight years or 175,000 miles.
Pricing, Cost of Ownership and Value Proposition
To finish our comparison, let's check out these electric pickup trucks' prices. The Ford F-150 Lightning ranges from an MSRP of $59,995 for the base Pro to $119,495 for the top-of-the-range PLATINUM. The cost of the Rivian truck is similar, although starting at a higher price point. The Rivian R1T ranges from $71,700 for the Dual Standard to $111,700 for the top-tier Quad Max.
The electric pickup truck market's rapid growth indicates strong potential for value retention. Both vehicles offer compelling features and capabilities that justify their premium positioning in the market, with each catering to different priorities in terms of range, performance, and utility.
Discover the Ford F-150 Lightning at Ciocca Ford of Red Lion
So, which truck came out on top in our comparison between the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T? Both are highly capable electric trucks with distinct advantages. While the R1T offers superior range and performance capabilities, the F-150 Lightning excels in practical utility and power management. The Ford is also more affordable and may appeal if you prefer a more traditional design. Visit our Ciocca Ford of Red Lion dealership to discover the Ford F-150 Lightning's exceptional capabilities for yourself.
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