Compare the2025 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 Rivian R1S

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Sportback 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 Sportback 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 Sportback and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q4 e-tron Sportback 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 Sportback 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Sportback’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 Sportback gets better mileage than the R1S:

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

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Sportback’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (37.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the R1S’ (37.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback 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 Sportback is 1 foot, 8.1 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 13.8 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the R1S with its rear seat up (26.1 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 Sportback. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Sportback’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 Sportback 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 Sportback Prestige has a standard 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.

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 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R1S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Sportback 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 Sportback 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Rivian R1S isn't recommended.