Compare the2027 BMW iX3 VS 2026 Rivian R1S

The iX3’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 iX3 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 iX3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, 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 iX3 has a standard Active Park Distance Control 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 iX3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The R1S doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The BMW iX3’s optional Surround View has integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Rivian R1S lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the iX3 and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the iX3 has Cross Traffic Warning with braking function (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 iX3 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, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The iX3’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the R1S’ (12 vs. 8 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R1S.

There are almost 4 times as many BMW dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the iX3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 78 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 21 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the iX3 gets better mileage than the R1S:

			MPGe
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	125 city/110 hwy
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	112 city/98 hwy
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	111 city/98 hwy
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	111 city/97 hwy
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	107 city/97 hwy
R1S
	AWD	Dual Standard 22" Wheels Electric Motors	92 city/77 hwy
		Dual Max 22" Wheels Electric Motors	91 city/77 hwy
		Dual Standard 20" Wheels Electric Motors	85 city/72 hwy
		Performance Dual Large 20" Wheels Electric Motors	85 city/72 hwy
		Dual Max All-Terrain Electric Motors	82 city/73 hwy

The iX3 can travel longer on a full charge than the R1S on a full charge:

			Miles
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	434 miles
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	399 miles
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	398 miles
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	392 miles
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	383 miles
R1S
	AWD	Dual Max 22" Wheels Electric Motors	410 miles
		Dual Max All-Terrain Electric Motors	370 miles
		Performance Dual Large 20" Wheels Electric Motors	300 miles
		Performance Dual Large Plus All-Terrain Electric Motors	292 miles
		Dual Motor Plus All-Terrain Electric Motor	292 miles

For better stopping power the iX3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R1S:

	iX3	R1S
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	13.5 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.9 inches

The iX3’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 iX3’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the R1S Quad’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better maneuverability, the iX3’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (39.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The iX3’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the R1S’ (39.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The BMW iX3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 1650 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The iX3 is 1 foot shorter than the R1S, making the iX3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The iX3 is 7.2 inches narrower than the R1S, making the iX3 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The iX3 is 12.5 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the iX3 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the iX3 has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The iX3 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 iX3 has a much larger cargo volume than the R1S with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 17.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the iX3. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the iX3’s trunk 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 Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the iX3 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. 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 iX3 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, 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 iX3 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 iX3’s standard Comfort Access allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from 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 doors.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the iX3 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 iX3’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 iX3 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 iX3 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 iX3 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access too 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 iX3 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 iX3 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The R1S, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the BMW iX3 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Rivian R1S’ traditional radio, the BMW iX3 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 iX3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.