Compare the2023 Kia EV6VS 2023 Rivian R1S

Both the EV6 and R1S have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The EV6 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The R1S’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 EV6 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The EV6 offers optional Parking Collision-Avoidance Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R1S doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the EV6 and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EV6 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R1S’ Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the EV6 and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the EV6 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The R1S has not been tested, yet.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 2 years longer than Rivian covers the R1S. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the R1S ends after only 8 years.

On the EPA test cycle the EV6 gets better mileage than the R1S:

The EV6 Wind/GT-Line RWD can travel longer on a full charge than the R1S Dual Motor Standard (310 miles vs. 260 miles).

For better stopping power the EV6 GT’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the R1S:

The EV6 stops much shorter than the R1S:

The EV6 GT handles at .92 G’s, while the R1S 4dr Sport Utility pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the EV6’s turning circle is 5.1 feet tighter than the R1S’ (38.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet). The EV6 GT’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the R1S’ (39.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Kia EV6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2200 to 3000 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The EV6 Light/Wind is 1 foot, 4.5 inches shorter than the R1S, making the EV6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EV6 is 7.5 inches narrower on average than the R1S, making the EV6 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The EV6 is 16.6 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the EV6 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the EV6 has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The EV6 has 1 inch more front legroom and 2.4 inches more rear legroom than the R1S.

The EV6 has a much larger cargo volume than the R1S 4dr Sport Utility with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 17.6 cubic feet).

The EV6’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.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the EV6’s liftgate, leaving your hands completely free. The R1S doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The EV6 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R1S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The EV6’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.

When the EV6 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The R1S’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The EV6 (except Light)’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The EV6 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The R1S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia EV6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EV6 first among compact SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The R1S isn’t in the top three.

The EV6 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. 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 EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The R1S has never been chosen.

The Kia EV6 outsold the Rivian R1S by over 13 to one during 2022.