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TheRivian R1Thas proven to be an exceptionally capable EV. With all the different trim packages available, you may be asking what the difference is between the Performance Dual Motor vs. Dual Motor. While both have an electric motor per axle, they have different capabilities.
The R1T is a solid choice for those looking to get into anEVcapable of rough work while boasting exceptional electric range. If you ve been on the fence about getting an EV, it might be the one for you depending on your needs.
As to the differences in the performance between these trim packages, it helps to understand what options are available from Rivian. Both varieties of the dual motor configuration from Rivian aren t readily available yet but are bound for the US market soon.
Both dual motor configurations have plenty to explore in terms of capabilities. As to which is the best, that will be determined over the course of this EV shootout.
Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor vs. Dual Motor: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor | Rivian R1T Dual Motor | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 700 horsepower | 600 horsepower |
| Torque | 700 foot-pounds | 600 foot-pounds |
| Operational Range | 260 to 314 miles | 260 to 314 miles |
| Towing Capacity | 11,000 pounds | 11,000 pounds |
| Charging Port | J1772 or CHADeMO | J1772 or CHADeMO |
| Battery Capacity | 105 to 135 kWh | 105 to 135 kWh |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel Drive | All-wheel Drive |
You can see some very clear similarities between the two models of the dual motor configuration. Where it departs is in terms of overall performance.
Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor vs. Dual Motor: What s the Difference?
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Both the Performance Dual Motor and Dual Motor configurations are relatively similar. There are clear differences between the two configurations, however.
Performance
The most notable difference between these two models of R1T is in terms of overall performance. The Performance Dual Motor configuration comes with 700 horsepower on tap along with 700 ft-lbs of torque at its disposal.
This effectively translates to a slightly more nimble vehicle. Rivian s Dual MotorR1Tis no slouch, however. You can expect 600 horsepower and 600 ft-lbs of torque available for use. This might not matter much if you re looking for a daily driver.
Both vehicles are all-wheel drive for the drivetrain. All Rivian vehicles come with a proprietary technology called torque vectoring, as well. Torque vectoring allows for traction to be applied independently to the two axles.
This effectively allows for greater control when off-roading or hauling a big load. It isn t quite as robust as the Quad Motor configuration. The four independentelectricmotors on the Quad Motor selection allow for torque vectoring for each individual tire on the vehicle.
Overall battery capacity and operational range are identical between both vehicles. Rivian has a variety of battery packs available that can take the range of the vehicle from 260 miles to 314 miles on average. There is a Max battery pack in development as well.
When selected, this could potentially provide the dual motor configurations of the Rivian R1T with up to 400 miles of range. No production models using the Max battery pack are available yet, however.
Electronics
Both the Performance Dual Motor and Dual Motor configurations feature the same electronics suite. You ll find a huge 16-inch infotainment panel that acts as the central hub for navigation and entertainment. Theoperating systemRivian uses for its infotainment panel is nimble to navigate.
You ll find instead of having to dive between multiple submenus, options float out when selected. This makes for a more elegant solution without requiring the driver or passenger to comb through pages of information.
Curiously, Rivian has opted for no support of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at the time of this writing. You can still connect throughBluetoothprotocols for streaming audio. As anyone can attest, however, this results in a much lesser audio quality.
Given the price point of both the Dual Motor and Performance Dual Motor configurations, this is a curious omission. Hopefully, Rivian is able to address this with a firmware update in the future, just be aware if you do opt to purchase either configuration.
Safety Features
All Rivian models feature a base-level safety package called Driver+. This comes with standard features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning systems, and automated emergency braking. Rivian s safety suite is fairly middle of the road.
If you re expecting hands-free driving, you ll be out of luck. Both the Performance Dual Motor and Dual Motor configurations aren t intended for autonomous driving just yet. The aforementioned safety features are a welcome sight, however.
You ll still have to be an attentive driver, but it is great to have AI assistance in matters like cruise control and emergency braking. If self-driving capabilities aren t worth much to you, the R1T is certainly worth a look.
Warranty Information
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All Rivian models come with a generous standard warranty package. You can expect up to five years or 60,000 miles of coverage for the limited warranty. This should cover any manufacturer defects, lemons, or other fatal flaws that originate from the factory.
The powertrain and electrical components come with eight years or 175,000 miles of coverage. This is quite a generous offering and is above average for the industry.
Where the Rivian warranty package falters is in offering complimentary scheduled maintenance. This isn t a standard offering, you ll more than likely only find it on Hyundai EVs. That said, it would be a great inclusion if Rivian decides to amend or bolster its warranty package in the future.
Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor vs. Dual Motor: Must-Know Facts
- The Performance Dual Motor has better overall performance compared to the Dual Motor.
- The Performance Dual Motor was introduced as a mid-range model between the Dual Motor and Quad Motor.
- The Performance Dual Motor should support up to 400 miles of range with the Max battery pack.
- The Dual Motor is the entry-level EV option from Rivian.
- The Dual Motor uses the same Rivian R1T Performance Dual Motor vs. Dual Motor: Which One is Better? Which Should You Choose?
This is a tough shootout between these two strikingly similar EVs. Really, what it boils down to is how much you value overall performance. If a slightly nimbler vehicle is worth the hike up in MSRP, then the Performance Dual Motor might be the option for you.
At the end of the day, however, both configurations have the same towing capacity and battery range. While it is great to see Rivian introduce a mid-range model with better performance to the line-up, it might ultimately be unnecessary.
You could assume most drivers in search of better performance might opt for the Quad Motor configuration. The real advantage of the Performance Dual Motor comes down to it effectively having better range than the Quad Motor. This is coupled with higher performance in comparison to the stock Dual Motor.
If price is a concern, then the Dual Motor is a sensible option.
As with any vehicle purchase, make sure to get some hands-on time behind the wheel. You might find one is better for you than the other option.