Toyota Tacoma vs Rivian R1T

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma, while all-new, retained a familiar aesthetic that echoed its predecessor. The hexagonal grille gave it a more aggressive look, and the overall design leaned towards a blockier and more angular style, yet it unmistakably remained a Toyota truck. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels in Canada, with 17-inch off-road alloys on the TRD Off Road packages, added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the Tacoma underwent a more noticeable transformation, drawing inspiration from the Ford F-Series. The dashboard featured squared-off areas, and the gear shift knob was a bulky, geometric design. MOLLE panels throughout the cabin emphasized a function-over-form approach, even in the Premium packages with heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats. These panels provided ample spots for accessories, a clear priority for Toyota trucks.

The Rivian R1T stood out with its boxy design and substantial size, measuring 5,511 millimetres long and 1,981 mm high. Despite its large dimensions, it maintained a balanced look and planted stance, thanks to its 3,449 mm wheelbase. The front wheels were pushed forward, and the wheel wells were filled with alloy options ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The R1T was available in eight exterior colours, with Rivian Blue being a standout choice. The grille-less front end, featuring illuminated ovals housing the headlights and a light bar, sparked mixed reactions. The taillights mimicked the front light bar, while plastic body cladding and a small black spoiler added to its visual impact. Though not conventionally pretty, the R1T turned heads wherever it went.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma featured an all-turbo lineup with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, branded "i-FORCE," producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed auto, providing smooth and well-timed shifts. While there was some turbo lag from a stop, gear changes at highway speeds were seamless. A six-speed manual transmission was also available, though it had a high bite point, making it challenging in tight manoeuvres. Toyota emphasized differentiation among packages, with multiple suspensions tailored to each option. The TRD Sport had sport-tuned shocks, while the TRD Off-Road featured monotube Bilstein shocks. The Tacoma's on-road manners were unobjectionable across configurations. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain promised maximum capability, though details were scarce. Updates included standard disc brakes and electric power steering, enhancing driver-assistance features and addressing previous model vagueness.

The Rivian R1T offered quick, smooth, and whisper-quiet performance. Available in a single Adventure trim, it featured three battery sizes and two powertrain options: Dual-Motor AWD and Quad-Motor AWD. All versions could tow up to 4,989 kilograms and had a payload capacity of 798 kilograms. The entry-level dual-motor powertrain delivered 533 horsepower, while the Performance version increased output to 665 hp, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Range varied from 566 kilometres to 659 km with the Max Pack. The Quad-Motor powertrain with 835 horsepower and 527 km of range accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds. The R1T excelled in highway passing power and offered a firm yet comfortable ride. With 38 centimetres of ground clearance, multiple drive modes, and adaptive suspension, it was rugged enough for off-road adventures. Handling was smooth and linear, inspiring confidence even on narrow roads. Parking required careful manoeuvring due to its 13.7-metre turning diameter.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma improved rear seat comfort by eliminating the Access Cab and making the four-door Double Cab standard in Canada. The updated seat shape provided additional comfort, with nearly identical head- and legroom figures for 2024. The Double Cab offered 1,061 millimetres of legroom up front and 856 mm in the back, compared to 1,089 mm and 828 mm previously. Gas-powered four-door Tacoma models had three times more storage capacity beneath the flat-folding rear seats. Toyota offered a choice of 5-foot or 6-foot beds, with a 440-watt outlet available on gas models and a 2400-watt version expected for hybrids. The increased bed depth raised total volume by seven percent, accommodating a camp fridge beneath the optional tonneau cover. Tacoma accessories included rooftop tents, high-lift jacks, and wireless trailer cameras.

The Rivian R1T featured clever touches for towing, hauling, and transporting passengers. The cargo bed measured 134.6 cm in length, similar to the compact Ford Maverick. An air compressor and 120-volt outlet were integrated into the bed sides. The driver's door housed a small LED flashlight. The Gear Tunnel, located behind the passenger cabin, offered additional storage and doubled as a seat. The cargo bed had hidden storage accessed via a plastic panel, though it felt clunky to open. A spare tire filled this space with the All-Terrain package. The front trunk, or "frunk," provided 310 litres of space with drain holes for use as a mobile cooler. However, accessing it required lifting items over the tall front end. The R1T offered only one cabin size and cargo bed, limiting customization options compared to other trucks.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma saw significant improvements in technology. The base model featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while Premium packages boasted a 14-inch centre display. Both screens ran Toyota's Audio Multimedia system, offering responsive and legible graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an optional Qi wireless charging pad and USB-C ports. The optional 10-speaker JBL sound system included a removable portable speaker. Pre-wired auxiliary switches allowed operation of up to three accessories. The Tacoma offered a trailer brake controller and Panoramic View Monitor for towing, with a wireless trailer camera accessory available.

The Rivian R1T catered to tech enthusiasts with a 12-inch digital instrument display and 16-inch touchscreen. The touchscreen-intensive cabin was initially intimidating but proved user-friendly with large icons and clear graphics. Standard tech features included navigation, Sirius/XM satellite radio, wireless device charging, HD radio, USB ports, Amazon Alexa, OTA software updates, and a 19-speaker Meridian stereo. However, the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a notable omission. The R1T had an 11.5-kilowatt onboard charger and a peak DC fast-charge rate of 220 kilowatts. Rivian's home charging station could fully charge the larger battery pack in about 13 hours, while a Level 3 DC fast charger added 225 kilometres of range in 20 minutes. The charge port was located at the front driver's side corner.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma introduced new safety technology with its standard electric power steering. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 included advanced features like Lane Tracing Assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and oncoming vehicle collision avoidance assist. Road-sign assist and an emergency stop system were new additions. The adaptive cruise control system offered four following distance choices. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard. Official safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, but Toyota aimed for a Top Safety Pick designation with the new features.

The Rivian R1T came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view parking camera. The 2023 R1T earned Top Safety Pick+ status from IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. The 2024 model was expected to maintain this strong safety performance. NHTSA had not conducted crash tests on the R1T due to its rarity and price.