tThere's be a lot of change since Rivian delivered their first electric truck. Rivian showed us the upcoming R2 and surprised everyone with a Golf-County sized R3X rally car. New Ford Broncos are everywhere, and the Bronco Raptor is upping the game. Jeep announced the Xtreme Recon and Xtreme 35 packages, offering 35" tires and impressive capability on the factory floor. Tesla finally has cybertrucks out on the road. Subaru and Toyota have reluctantly entered the EV market. And the overall off-road market is booming, with significant growth expected through the end of the decade. Rivian is making all motors in-house, and just announced their 2025 trucks can boost over 1,000 hp and over 1,000 lb-ft of torque.
With all these changes, it felt like time to update my 2021 article comparing the new off-road EVs to the competition.
With all these changes, it felt like time to update my 2021 article comparing the new off-road EVs to the competition.
Ground Clearance
It is the first stat you look at when buying an adventure vehicle. In mountain towns, ground clearance is mandatory just to find a parking space. The electric off-roaders offer ground clearances off-the-lot of up to 16". It's no wonder local Tahoe legend Doug Hartline was able to crush the Rubicon trail with his R1T. That said, the newer Ford Raptors are getting impressive. The Bronco Raptor and the upcoming, Shelby GT500-powered Raptor R truck increased clearance up to 13".
For those of us excited about Rivian's new, smaller R2 and incredibly cool R3X, the news is mixed. Rivian is not offering adjustable height suspension for those cars, reducing clearance significantly. However, at 9.8" of clearance, it is still better than anything Toyota makes. Rivian, if you're reading this - can you please give us an R3X option with the R1T suspension package?
For those of us excited about Rivian's new, smaller R2 and incredibly cool R3X, the news is mixed. Rivian is not offering adjustable height suspension for those cars, reducing clearance significantly. However, at 9.8" of clearance, it is still better than anything Toyota makes. Rivian, if you're reading this - can you please give us an R3X option with the R1T suspension package?
Why are the electric SUVs and trucks crushing this category? It’s a question of components. As laid out in this Australian 4x4 article, components like differential, oil pans, and exhaust are often the lowest part of the vehicle, and most likely to snag a rock on the trail. EVs don’t need oil, or airflow - thus no oil pan or exhaust. As for the differential which often spells out the lowest point on a truck, Rivian’s quad and dual-motor designs means no diff required. For these simple reasons, electric trucks are likely to continue a trend of stock ground clearances never thought possible.
Approach Angle
When entering a steep, dirt climb or driving over a massive, granite boulder; there is a chance the front bumper might snag. The angle between the wheel and the bumper which defines the maximum angle to enter a climb is called “approach angle.” In my old s4 avant, the approach angle was so pitiful that I couldn’t even drive onto an auto ramp, let alone go rock-crawling.
When it comes to approach angle, the new Wrangler Xtreme 35 packages let Jeep climb to the top - right where Jeep should be - besting the Bronco Raptor by tenths of a degree. Why is ICE winning here? Possibly because Jeep doesn't plan to offer the 4xe plug-in hybrid Wrangler with an Xtreme package. I'd be curious to see the numbers on this person's Rivian R1T mounted with 35 inch tires.
When it comes to approach angle, the new Wrangler Xtreme 35 packages let Jeep climb to the top - right where Jeep should be - besting the Bronco Raptor by tenths of a degree. Why is ICE winning here? Possibly because Jeep doesn't plan to offer the 4xe plug-in hybrid Wrangler with an Xtreme package. I'd be curious to see the numbers on this person's Rivian R1T mounted with 35 inch tires.
Departure Angle
The opposite of approach angle, departure angle measures how steep the truck can descend without dragging the rear bumper. Ford takes the prize in 2024/2025, with the Bronco Raptor providing slightly better departure than the Wrangler Willys Xtreme 35. Haven driven my friend Scott's Bronco Raptor - the Pow Pony - I gotta say, that thing is beast.
A whole host of EVs sit near the top on departure angle stats. It might be time for our friends in mountain towns to ditch their Toyotas for something greener and meaner.
A whole host of EVs sit near the top on departure angle stats. It might be time for our friends in mountain towns to ditch their Toyotas for something greener and meaner.
Breakover Angle
Breakover angle is the measure that determines if you will get high-centered on a trail. In 2020, the first time I compared adventure vehicles, the Rivian R1S had the best breakover angle available in the US market. Jeep and Ford must've caught on. Since the launch of the Rivian, they now both offer high-end off-roaders that above and beyond the R1S's capability.
Water Fording
This is a term some generations will remember from playing The Oregon Trail, on floppy disk, in elementary school. Water fording capability is measured as the depth at which the vehicle can drive through water without seizing the engine or ruining electronics.
No. Air. Intake. Rivian absolutely demolishes the competition with the ability to ford well over three feet of water. No snorkel required.
No. Air. Intake. Rivian absolutely demolishes the competition with the ability to ford well over three feet of water. No snorkel required.
Torque and Horsepower
Even after throwing a Shelby engine in the Raptor, Ford's truck ain't close to the power of the big EVs.
