Compare the2023 Mercedes EQBVS 2023 Rivian R1S

The EQB’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 EQB and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EQB has Active Brake 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 EQB 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the EQB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The R1S doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The EQB’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The R1S doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the EQB’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the R1S’ (38.4 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Mercedes EQB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2250 to 2500 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The EQB is 1 foot, 4.4 inches shorter than the R1S, making the EQB easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EQB is 9.6 inches narrower than the R1S, making the EQB easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The EQB is 11.8 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the EQB much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the EQB 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 EQB. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The EQB’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 EQB’s available 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the R1S, the EQB has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The EQB offers an optional 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.

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

The EQB’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 EQB is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The R1S’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The EQB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the R1S.

The EQB’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Mercedes EQB outsold the Rivian R1S by over two to one during 2022.