2024 Rivian R1T: Unexpected Utility

One big reason people buy pickup trucks is for their utility — a truck’s cargo-carrying bed as well as its towing and payload capabilities are big upsides for those looking to put their vehicle to work. With an 11,000-pound towing capacity and 1,764-pound payload limit, the mid-size all-electric Rivian R1T pickup does utility in all the expected ways — and also some unexpected ones.

Related: 2024 Rivian R1T Gets Updated Rating, Named IIHS Top Safety Pick+

We tested the truck for a week and found that it met our expectations when it came to its cargo versatility … and then some. Aside from its traditional truck bed, the R1T comes equipped with added storage spaces that may seem small but pack a lot of utility when put to the test. Check out how we used them.

The Tunnel

The R1T’s cleverest storage feature is the tunnel, and it got a lot of use during our test. The long space is located between the cab and the rear wheels and measures 18.4 inches long, 64 inches wide and 20.7 inches tall, offering 11.7 cubic feet of space. The tunnel is accessed via a pair of flip-down exterior doors that double as seats or steps. It can also be accessed via a pass-through in the cabin.

For me, it came in handy while running regular errands. With the tunnel, I was able to do a grocery run and carry my kids around without having to put groceries in the truck bed.

Cars.com Managing Editor Joe Bruzek also put it to work. “Using the Rivian to haul a bunch of shelving was a breeze thanks to its cargo versatility in hauling items of various shapes. I carried a total of 95 pieces with relative ease thanks to the gear tunnel that stored a bunch of loose pieces, and the flip-up seats that made a nice nest to put racks and shelving boards,” he said.

What’s more, the space is lined with rubber to minimize sliding and has two outlets — a household-style one and a 12-volt plug — to provide power.

The Frunk

Without an internal combustion engine to take up space, electric vehicles can have underhood storage space. Some automakers waste this opportunity while others put it to use; Rivian does it well.

The R1T’s front trunk, or frunk, is small but useful. The bilevel frunk measures 25.4 inches long, 54.8 inches wide and 22.7 inches deep, and it offers 11 cubic feet of space, according to Rivian. A cargo shelf can be used to split the space to separate the lower level (which had a spare charging cable and Rivian’s Off-Road Recovery Kit in my model) from the upper level, which can hold a couple of smaller bags. A drain plug makes it easy to rinse out spills from messy cargo.

The Rest

The backseat also has some hidden utility that came in handy. The seat cushion flips forward for more space for hauling taller items, and there’s a shallow under-seat bin to stash smaller things, like snacks.

And even the most expected truck storage feature — the R1T’s bed — has a few tricks up its sleeve. The pickup bed is more than 4 feet wide and 4.5 feet long, but it’s almost 7 feet long when the tailgate is lowered thanks to an articulated hinge that extends the tailgate farther than its height alone.

“I had more bed floor length than I thought with the tailgate down, with it measuring 83.5 inches from the rear of the cab to the end of the tailgate, so there were only 12 inches of shelves hanging off the end of the truck,” Bruzek said.

For more secure truck-bed storage, a tonneau cover that turns the cargo box into a weather-resistant trunk is an option.

And once you get the gear in the bed, it’s easy to keep tabs on it. “I appreciated the ability to watch the cargo while driving with the bed camera, making sure no straps shifted or broke while in transit,” Bruzek said.

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the R1T’s versatility in terms of being able to carry stuff and people. It capably hauled our expected — and unexpected — cargo, including skillfully handling an impromptu guinea pig rescue.

More From Cars.com:

• Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
• Is the 2023 Rivian R1T a Good Electric Pickup Truck? 6 Pros, 5 Cons
• Which Electric Vehicles Can Tow?
• Research the Rivian R1T
• Find Your Next Car

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