If you've read my Gear Guard Plush review, you already know the backstory: my son was browsing the Gear Shop, I took mental notes, and surprised him on his birthday. This was the other item he had his eye on — and the one that actually blew us both away.
The Birthday Surprise
I went with the Glacier White version instead of the green, and when my son opened it on his birthday, his reaction was immediate: "Wow, this is great. I'm so excited that you got this for me, dad." That alone made it worth the points.
But it wasn't until we actually took it out of the box and started looking at it closely that I realized just how impressive this thing is.
The Detail Is Astounding
I'm not exaggerating when I say this model blew away every expectation I had. The level of detail packed into a 1:20 scale model is genuinely astounding:
- The frunk opens up and looks just like the real thing
- The dashboard has a screen inside it that mirrors the actual infotainment display
- There are gas and brake pedals visible in the footwell
- The tailgate drops down just like on the real R1T
- Every single detail you'd notice stepping into the real car is represented here
One thing I do wish they'd incorporated: working lights. With this level of detail already built in, having the headlights and taillights actually light up would have been incredible — and would go a long way toward justifying that $75 price tag. Maybe on the next version, Rivian.
I drive an R1S, not an R1T, so some of the truck-specific features were actually new to me. The lift gate going down in the back, the bed area — those are things I don't experience day to day with my SUV. I actually need to go back and check whether it has the pass-through gear tunnel storage area. I know the real R1T has it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they included it on the model too. That's how detailed this thing is.
Action Figures Love It Too
Here's something I didn't expect: this model has become part of my son's everyday play. I've walked past his table and seen football players, action figures, and other toys riding around in the back of the R1T. There's something really fun about watching the toy world he plays with mix with the real world of the car he's riding to games and practices in every day. It bridges that gap in a way I didn't anticipate, and he gets a real kick out of it.
The Price Problem
Alright, here's my one major gripe: $75 is a lot of money for a toy car.
Don't get me wrong — the quality absolutely justifies a premium. But $75? For what is ultimately a scale model toy? I think something more like $40 would be reasonable, and even that would be on the higher end. Coming in at close to double that amount feels like you're paying a brand tax.
I used referral points for this, so it was essentially free. If it were just based on that, I'd give it a full five stars without thinking twice. But I have to factor in what someone would actually pay out of pocket. If I'd spent $75 cash on this, I'd probably be a little salty about it — maybe a 3.5 or 4-star review. The detail is phenomenal, but the price holds it back from perfection.
Pros & Cons
Final Verdict
4.5 out of 5 stars.
This is a phenomenally put-together product. The detail is unlike anything I've seen in a toy car at this scale, and my son genuinely loves it. If you've got referral points to spend, it's a no-brainer — I'd call it a 5-star freebie. But at $75 out of pocket, the price stings just enough to hold it back. A little expensive, but really, truly excellent quality. If you're a Rivian fan with kids (or you just want a killer desk piece), you won't be disappointed by the product itself.
Want up to $500 toward Rivian gear?
Use referral code JOSEPH12262612 when you order your Rivian. That's enough to cover this model and a few other items.
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