Compare the2023 Chevrolet BoltVS 2023 Rivian R1S

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Bolt are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R1S doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Bolt and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

On the EPA test cycle the Bolt gets better mileage than the R1S:

The Bolt has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The R1S doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Bolt can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The R1S doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For better maneuverability, the Bolt’s turning circle is 8.5 feet tighter than the R1S’ (34.8 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Chevrolet Bolt may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 3350 to 3400 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Bolt is 3 feet, 1.6 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Bolt easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Bolt is 1 foot narrower than the R1S, making the Bolt easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Bolt is 14 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Bolt much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Bolt has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Bolt is quieter than the R1S 4dr Sport Utility (68 vs. 70 dB).

The Bolt’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The R1S’ tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Bolt’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The R1S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

The Bolt was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2017. The R1S has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bolt as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The R1S has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Bolt outsold the Rivian R1S by almost 48 to one during 2022.