Compare the2023 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2023 Rivian R1S

The XC40 Recharge’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The R1S doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC40 Recharge and R1S have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 Recharge 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.

The XC40 Recharge has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The R1S doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC40 Recharge has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The R1S doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 Recharge has a standard CTA Auto Brake 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 XC40 Recharge and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 Recharge the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 234 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The R1S has not been tested, yet.

The XC40 Recharge’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the R1S’ (12 vs. 8 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R1S.

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the R1S:

The XC40 Recharge stops shorter than the R1S:

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the R1S’ (37.4 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2250 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The XC40 Recharge is 2 feet, 2 inches shorter than the R1S, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge is 6.6 inches narrower than the R1S, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The XC40 Recharge is 12.4 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the XC40 Recharge much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the XC40 Recharge has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC40 Recharge. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The XC40 Recharge’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, the XC40 Recharge’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The R1S doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R1S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC40 Recharge Ultimate has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The R1S doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The XC40 Recharge’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 XC40 Recharge 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XC40 Recharge second among small premium 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 Volvo XC40 outsold the Rivian R1S by over 23 to one during 2022.