Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1T: Specs Compared
Also searched as Rivian R1T vs Ford F-150 Lightning specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Rivian R1T is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 87 mpg combined versus 72 mpg for the Ford F-150 Lightning, a 15 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Rivian R1T leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2022–2025
Ford F-150 Lightning
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 15 configurations
2022–2027
Rivian R1T
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 91 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1T |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 72 mpg | 87 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 79 mpg | 94 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 65 mpg | 80 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,050 | $850 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Years covered | 2022–2025 | 2022–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 15 | 91 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1T dimensions and size
The Ford F-150 Lightning is 13 inches longer than the Rivian R1T on a wheelbase 9.4 inches longer, and 1,126.6 lbs lighter. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Ford F-150 Lightning (2026) | Rivian R1T (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 229.9 in | 216.9 in | 13 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.9 in | 79.1 in | 0.8 in |
| Height | 75.6 in | 78 in | 2.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 145.3 in | 135.8 in | 9.4 in |
| Curb weight | 6,021 lbs | 7,147 lbs | 1,127 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1T: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Rivian R1T burns about $850 of fuel annually against $1,050 for the Ford F-150 Lightning. That $200 yearly gap compounds to roughly $1,000 over five years and $1,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Rivian R1T leads in both cycles — 94 mpg city and 80 mpg highway against 79 and 65 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the Ford F-150 Lightning is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Rivian R1T with 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
F-150 Lightning vs R1T: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford F-150 Lightning or the Rivian R1T?
The Rivian R1T is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 87 mpg combined versus 72 mpg for the Ford F-150 Lightning, a 15 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Rivian R1T runs about $850 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,050 for the Ford F-150 Lightning — a difference of roughly $200 per year.
What engines do the F-150 Lightning and R1T offer?
Ford F-150 Lightning: no engine data on record. Rivian R1T: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, so they compete directly.
More F-150 Lightning comparisons
More R1T comparisons
Comparison id: ford-f-150-lightning-vs-rivian-r1t