Compare the2025 Audi Q4 e-tronVS 2025 Rivian R1S

The Q4 e-tron’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.

The Q4 e-tron has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies 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 Q4 e-tron has a standard Maneuver 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 Q4 e-tron and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q4 e-tron has Automatic Brake Activation (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 Q4 e-tron 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 and available around view monitors.

The Q4 e-tron’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the R1S’ (12 vs. 8 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q4 e-tron’s reliability 25 points higher than the R1S.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 9 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the R1S:

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R1S:

The Q4 e-tron’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires. The Q4 e-tron 55 e-tron’s optional 235/45R21 front and 255/40R21 rear tires have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile than the R1S Ascend Quad Max’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron 45’s turning circle is 7.8 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (33.5 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Q4 e-tron 50’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the R1S’ (37.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Audi Q4 e-tron may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1800 to 1950 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Q4 e-tron 45 e-tron is 1 foot, 8.2 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q4 e-tron is 8.6 inches narrower than the R1S, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q4 e-tron is 13.1 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Q4 e-tron much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Q4 e-tron has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Q4 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume than the R1S with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 17.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q4 e-tron. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Q4 e-tron’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 Q4 e-tron’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.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q4 e-tron to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Rivian doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the R1S.

The Q4 e-tron offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and driver assistance information 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q4 e-tron 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 Q4 e-tron Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R1S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q4 e-tron’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 Q4 e-tron with available tilt-down mirrors 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 Q4 e-tron Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Q4 e-tron 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 Audi Q4 e-tron, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Rivian R1S isn't recommended.