Compare the2026 Mercedes EQE SUVVS 2025 Rivian R1S

The EQE SUV’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.

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 EQE SUV 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 EQE SUV has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The R1S doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The EQE SUV 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 EQE SUV 4MATIC’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 EQE SUV has 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 EQE SUV and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EQE SUV 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 EQE SUV 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 8 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EQE SUV’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 EQE SUV’s reliability 21 points higher than the R1S.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 64 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Rivian.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG EQE SUV electric motors is faster than the R1S Dual Motor Performance:

On the EPA test cycle the EQE SUV gets better mileage than the R1S:

For better stopping power the EQE SUV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R1S:

The EQE SUV AMG offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The R1S doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The EQE SUV stops much shorter than the R1S:

The EQE SUV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires. The AMG EQE SUV’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the R1S Ascend Quad Max’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQE SUV 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 EQE SUV’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 AMG EQE SUV handles at .94 G’s, while the R1S Ascend Tri Max pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG EQE SUV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the R1S Ascend Tri Max (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG EQE SUV’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (36.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Mercedes EQE SUV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1100 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The EQE SUV is 9.3 inches shorter than the R1S, making the EQE SUV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EQE SUV is 5.6 inches narrower than the R1S, making the EQE SUV easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The EQE SUV is 11.6 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the EQE SUV much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The EQE SUV’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 EQE SUV’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 EQE SUV to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for tire rotation and brake pad replacement 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 EQE SUV has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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

Compared to the Rivian R1S’ traditional radio, the Mercedes EQE SUV 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 EQE SUV’s Active Parking Assist 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 EQE SUV is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The R1S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.