I drove a Rivian R1T truck and Tesla Cybertruck to find out which is best
Published on Jul 05, 2026 at 2:02 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 05, 2026 at 2:02 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
I traveled to California to test two of the most talked-about trucks in the US, the Rivian R1T and the Tesla Cybertruck.
The Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck have a lot in common, starting with the fact that they’re both made by startups founded in California that grew rapidly and went public.
At the same time, they’re very different, and not just because of the way they look.
Notably, one of them has a feature that’s truly hard to replace once you’ve tried it.
The ‘Cybertruck’ factor
If Martians landed on Earth today, we’d have a hard time explaining why all trucks look roughly the same except for the Cybertruck.
The ‘wow’ effect is no longer there, mainly because the truck has been around for nearly three years at this point, but the Cybertruck’s styling is still something you have to factor in.
This isn’t a subtle vehicle.
Even when you’re driving it, there’s a quiet voice in the back of your head constantly reminding you that you are operating a vehicle but also driving a statement
You don’t have that with the Rivian R1T.
It feels like a truck, and it feels like an EV, but it also feels ‘normal’.
The Cybertruck doesn’t.
The real game changer is something Rivian doesn’t have
The one thing the Cybertruck has that the Rivian R1T doesn’t is steer-by-wire.
I can’t begin to stress how excellent this feature is when you’re behind the wheel.
It makes a large, cumbersome vehicle feel nimble and agile.
The Cybertruck has a turning radius that rivals small sedans precisely because of this system.
Steer-by-wire is a point of contention, and one of the main reasons why this truck isn’t available in Europe.
With this system, the steering wheel is not physically connected to the wheels, only digitally.
The lack of physical friction makes the steering more precise and more responsive.
It’s truly, truly great.
The verdict
Normally, when YouTubers or reviewers pit one vehicle against another they then pick a winner.
But ‘better’ is almost always subjective and this is no exception.
The Rivian R1T feels wonderful to drive.
It’s smooth, fast as heck, and comfortable.
The Cybertruck experience is different.
It comes with FSD, which the Rivian doesn’t, and it feels heavier and bigger, because it is.
In a way, the Rivian is a modern take on a very American concept, the pick-up truck.
The Cybertruck reinvents it completely, with a love-it-or-hate-it design that’s part of the package.
Vehicle: Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Price (As Tested): $99,990 (MSRP) + $1,995 destination fee in California
Powertrain: Dual-motor AWD (600 hp / 7,430 lb-ft of torque)
Range: 318 miles
Vehicle: Rivian R1T Tri-Motor
Price (As Tested): $102,790
Powertrain: Tri-Motor AWD (850 hp / 1,103 lb-ft of torque)
Range: 370 miles
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
