They Said Rivian's Couldn’t Handle Real Trails, Until This Offroad Company Took a Whole Fleet Into the Wild

When Rivian first announced its electric adventure trucks, there was no shortage of skepticism. Keyboard warriors, off-road purists, and even some EV enthusiasts questioned whether a luxury electric vehicle could truly handle the grit of trail life. Were the R1T and R1S just tech toys dressed in rugged clothing, or did they have the mechanical muscle to back it all up?

That question was recently answered with a mudslinging, tire-spinning, hill-climbing “yes” when an off-roading company organized an event that brought a fleet of Rivian's to a local off-road park, and didn’t hold back.

A Facebook Post That Said It All

This all came to light during one of my evening scrolls through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” Facebook group, where I spotted a short but telling post from Levi Rassler. His words might’ve been brief, but they packed the kind of punch that caught my attention as a journalist and a fellow Rivian fan: “For you Rivian peeps: an off-roading company took a large group of Rivian's to a local off-road park. Pretty cool.” – Levi Rassler

Beneath that post was a collection of photos and video snippets showing what looked like at least a dozen R1Ts and R1Ss climbing steep inclines, getting dirty, and proving once and for all that these trucks were born for more than Whole Foods parking lots and Instagram reels.

Trail-Tested and Mud-Approved

According to Levi’s post, the event wasn’t just a quick trail cruise, it was a full-on off-road gathering. Trucks tackled mud ruts deep enough to swallow your boot, slopes that left tires clawing for grip, and off-camber sections that had some of the vehicles articulating in ways only seasoned 4x4s typically do.

And yet, the Rivian's handled it all with confidence. Their electric torque delivery, adjustable air suspension, and customizable drive modes worked in unison to tackle terrain that would make many gas-powered rigs pause.

This was more than a fun day out. It was a visual rebuttal to every critic who’s ever said Rivian's are “just mall crawlers.”

Comments That Spoke for the Community

The response to Levi’s post was overwhelmingly positive. Among the many Rivian owners chiming in was Ro, who echoed Levi’s enthusiasm word-for-word: “For you Rivian peeps: an off-roading company took a large group of Rivian's to a local off-road park. Pretty cool!”

Then there was Garrett, who commented with something many of us can probably relate to: “This is so cool. I wish I had the guts to try that with my R1S. Looks like fun.”

There’s something relatable in Garrett’s hesitation. Even though the R1S is clearly capable, it’s still a high-dollar vehicle, and not everyone is ready to toss it into the mud on a weekend whim. But events like this give owners a chance to test those limits in a structured and supportive environment. And sometimes, seeing others go first is all the encouragement we need.

A Pattern of Adventure-Ready Rivian's

This isn’t the first time Rivian's have impressed in real-world conditions. Owners have been sharing stories that not only show the vehicles’ capability but highlight how Rivian’s tech-forward design can be an advantage off the pavement.

Take for example, this Rivian R1T story where the rear end slid into a ditch. What started as a peaceful night of camping quickly became a solo recovery mission, proving that even when things go sideways, the R1T can power its way back.

Or consider how one first-time R1S owner got a wake-up call when their vehicle went from showroom fresh to “tow truck required” in a flash. These kinds of stories show that while Rivian's are capable, they’re not immune to growing pains. Still, their community continues to grow, united by both the highs and the hard lessons.

Adventure by Design

Rivian didn’t just build an electric truck with decent range, they engineered a vehicle with adventure in its DNA. From the skateboard chassis that allows for high ground clearance to its quad-motor AWD system that delivers torque to each wheel independently, Rivian's were designed to handle much more than city life.

You’ll also find software-driven features like the off-road drive modes, tow mode, and even a Camp Mode that levels the suspension when parked. For those who love overlanding, the Super Pacific X1 camper setup has become a favorite among R1T owners wanting to take their adventures off the grid.

It’s this blend of cutting-edge tech with proven 4x4 functionality that’s slowly rewriting the playbook for what a modern adventure vehicle should look like.

From Caution to Confidence

We’re starting to see a noticeable shift in how people talk about Rivians. What used to be cautious optimism is quickly turning into confident ownership. That’s not to say concerns don’t still exist, some owners are still reporting range issues and early quality control hiccups—but more and more stories like Levi’s are balancing the narrative.

It’s also worth noting how some owners have embraced their Rivians so much that they’re upgrading, not replacing. That speaks volumes in a market where loyalty is hard to earn.

The Broader Community Impact

One of the best things about events like this is how they bring people together. Off-roading, for many, isn’t just about the vehicle, it’s about the friendships, the stories, and the support that come with it. That’s why these group outings matter.

For Rivian, which is still a relatively new player compared to legacy brands, this kind of grassroots enthusiasm is gold. It builds a strong, organic community that can be even more powerful than a national ad campaign.

We’ve seen similar energy in stories like this cross-state R1S road trip to Palm Springs and Las Vegas, where comfort met capability across hundreds of miles. And let’s not forget how even autonomous features in the R1T have surprised owners on mountain drives.

These aren’t isolated tales, they’re chapters in a bigger story that Rivian is writing every day with its owners.

A Young Journalist’s Take

I’ve followed the evolution of the EV world closely, and Rivian has been one of the most fascinating brands to watch. As someone who’s test-driven a wide variety of vehicles and listened to countless ownership stories, I think it’s safe to say that the biggest shift Rivian is bringing isn’t just electric, it’s cultural.

They’ve managed to take something traditionally seen as utilitarian (the pickup truck) and blend it with the premium tech experience of a luxury EV. And when you add real trail capability into that mix, you’re not just changing the vehicle, you’re changing the owner.

Moral Takeaway

I think the biggest lesson from all of this is simple: don’t underestimate what’s possible just because it hasn’t been done before. Rivian's are proving that electric vehicles don’t have to compromise capability to be clean, and they don’t have to be sterile to be smart.

Whether you're climbing rocks or carving your path through snow and mud, the R1T and R1S are up to the task, as long as the person behind the wheel is willing to trust them.

What About You?

• Have you ever taken your Rivian off-road? What surprised you the most about its performance?
• If you haven’t, what’s stopping you, and would you go if there were a local event like this?

Drop your stories, questions, and tips in the comments below. We’re building something bigger than a brand, we’re building a movement.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.

Image source: Levi's Facebook Post