R1T vs Tundra
Two makers, one class, one decision: the R1T from Rivian or the Tundra from Toyota. Scoring each area separately, the R1T comes out on top 2 times out of 4. Its lead is sharpest in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance R1T wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tundra wins
- Safety & Tech R1T wins
- Engine & Performance7.3
- Off-road & Towing6.7
- Engine & Performance1.9
- Off-road & Towing10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The R1T has 185 hp more power
Not a close call. The R1T lists 533 hp and the Tundra lists 348 hp. That’s a substantial gap. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The R1T has 205 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 610 lb-ft against 405 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the R1T. The R1T’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
-
The Tundra has a 16.5 in longer body
For length, the figures are 233.6 in for the Tundra and 217.1 in for the R1T. Treat it as a question of preference, not quality. Length matters most in tight garages and city parking spaces.
-
The Tundra has 1,000 lb more towing capacity
It’s a small lead (12,000 lb versus 11,000 lb), but it’s real, and it goes to the Tundra. If you tow regularly, the Tundra’s higher rating gives you more margin.
-
The Tundra has
The Tundra has the larger figure, 145.7 in to 135.9 in. Whether that helps depends entirely on you. Neither is better in general; it’s a trade-off between cabin space and maneuverability.
Design & Size
Side by side, the Tundra is the one that fills more space; the R1T keeps things tighter.
Dimensions
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 217.1 in | 233.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 81.8 in | 80.2 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | 135.9 in | 145.7 in |
Engine & Performance
R1T leads
The engine & performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the R1T. The R1T scores with 185 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. That makes the R1T the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Total system output
R1T: 533 hp Tundra: 348 hp The R1T’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
R1T: 610 lb-ft Tundra: 405 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
On paper, the space & practicality comparison ends all square. Either car will serve you equally well on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Tundra leads
The Tundra has the slight upper hand on off-road & towing. The Tundra wins here with 1,000 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. On off-road & towing alone, the Tundra gets the nod.
Max towing
R1T: 11,000 lb Tundra: 12,000 lb A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
Safety & Tech
R1T leads
By a small margin, the R1T is the stronger of the two in this area. On its side, the R1T has a bigger 15.6 in touchscreen. The R1T’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. Anyone shopping mainly on safety & tech should start with the R1T.
Largest touchscreen
R1T: 15.6 in Tundra: 14 in A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Gas |
| Engine | Dual electric motors (Dual Standard) | 3.4L twin-turbo V6 (i-FORCE) |
| Total system output | 533 hp (winner) | 348 hp |
| Torque | 610 lb-ft (winner) | 405 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Single-speed direct drive | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 23 mpg |
| Electric range | 270 mi | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 32.2 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 11,000 lb | 12,000 lb (winner) Best towing in class |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 15.6 in (winner) | 14 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Not available (Rivian software) | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 217.1 in | 233.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 81.8 in | 80.2 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | 135.9 in | 145.7 in |
Price
| Spec | R1T | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $41,260 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the R1T if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (533 hp vs 348 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (610 lb-ft vs 405 lb-ft of torque)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (15.6 in vs 14 in)
Choose the Tundra if…
- you want the higher towing capacity (12,000 lb vs 11,000 lb)
- you like more of everything, size included
- you prefer staying with Toyota
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the R1T or the Tundra?
The R1T wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that 1,000 lb more towing capacity would make a real difference in your routine.
Is the R1T bigger than the Tundra?
It’s the Tundra that is larger: 233.6 × 80.2 × 78 in, versus 217.1 × 81.8 in for the R1T.
Executive Summary
Rivian or Toyota? For a lot of people, the question really comes down to the R1T versus the Tundra. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the R1T has 185 hp more power. Then there’s a bigger 15.6 in touchscreen, another point for the R1T. I’ll admit the Tundra has a point with 1,000 lb more towing capacity.
In my head, the R1T is the engine & performance pick and the Tundra is the off-road & towing pick.
My pick: the R1T is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you care more about 1,000 lb more towing capacity than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.