Compare the2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5VS 2023 Rivian R1S

Both the Ioniq 5 and R1S have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5 Limited has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist 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 Ioniq 5 and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5 and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Ioniq 5 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.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 5 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.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq 5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai 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 Ioniq 5 gets better mileage than the R1S:

The Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD can travel longer on a full charge than the R1S Dual Motor Standard (303 miles vs. 260 miles).

The Ioniq 5 stops shorter than the R1S:

The Ioniq 5 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.

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq 5’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the R1S’ (39.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2300 to 3000 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Ioniq 5 is 1 foot, 6.3 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Ioniq 5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ioniq 5 is 7.4 inches narrower than the R1S, making the Ioniq 5 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Ioniq 5 is 14.4 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Ioniq 5 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Ioniq 5 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 cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD is quieter than the R1S 4dr Sport Utility (67 vs. 68 dB).

The Ioniq 5 has .3 inches more front legroom and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the R1S.

The Ioniq 5 has a much larger cargo volume than the R1S 4dr Sport Utility with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 17.6 cubic feet).

The Ioniq 5’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 Ioniq 5’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind 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.

The Ioniq 5 Limited 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 Ioniq 5’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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ioniq 5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R1S doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Ioniq 5 Limited 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 Ioniq 5 Limited’s Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote 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 Ioniq 5 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ioniq 5 second 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 Ioniq 5 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2022. The R1S has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Hyundai Ioniq outsold the Rivian R1S by over 33 to one during 2022.