Compare the2025 Mercedes EQBVS 2025 Rivian R1S

The EQB’s optional 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.

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 EQB 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.

The EQB offers an optional Post Collision Brake, 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 EQB has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the EQB’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The R1S doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The EQB offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The R1S doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 60 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the EQB gets better mileage than the R1S:

The EQB’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires. The EQB’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the R1S Ascend Quad Max’s 50 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available 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.

The EQB 350 4MATIC handles at .79 G’s, while the R1S Ascend Tri Max pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the EQB’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (38.4 feet vs. 41.3 feet). 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 1800 to 2000 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 9.8 inches narrower than the R1S, making the EQB easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The EQB is 12.1 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 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.

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the EQB to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals 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.

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, navigation instruction 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.

The EQB’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. An advanced key system standard on the R1S doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the EQB 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.

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.