Compare the2025 Lincoln AviatorVS 2025 Rivian R1S

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 Aviator 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 Aviator has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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 Aviator has standard Reverse Brake 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Aviator’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The R1S doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Aviator and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Aviator has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 Aviator and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

There are almost 10 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Aviator’s warranty.

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 Aviator’s reliability 13 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 Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 42 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Lincoln higher than Rivian.

The Aviator stops shorter than the R1S:

The Aviator’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 Aviator’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the R1S Ascend Quad Max’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

The Aviator’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 Aviator Reserve AWD handles at .82 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 Aviator’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (39.2 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Aviator’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the R1S’ (39.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Lincoln Aviator may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1700 to 1950 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Aviator is 7.7 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Aviator much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The Aviator Reserve/Black Label uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The R1S doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Aviator has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room, 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room and 2.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the R1S.

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the R1S.

Both the Aviator and the R1S have standard second row automatic folding seats. The Aviator’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a button. The R1S doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Aviator. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Aviator’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.

The Aviator offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, certain gauge, warning, turn signal 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Aviator’s exterior PIN entry system. The R1S doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Aviator’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 Aviator to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R1S doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Aviator has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The R1S doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Aviator (except Premiere) 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 Aviator is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the R1S, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Aviator offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the R1S.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Aviator equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The R1S, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lincoln Aviator empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Rivian R1S’ traditional radio, the Lincoln Aviator equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

The Aviator (except Premiere)’s optional Active Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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