Compare the2025 BMW XMVS 2025 Rivian R1S

The XM’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 XM 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 XM 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 XM 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 XM’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The R1S doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the XM and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the XM 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 XM 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 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R1S.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 60 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 19 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

As tested in Motor Trend the XM Label Red is faster than the R1S Dual Motor Performance:

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

The XM stops much shorter than the R1S:

For better traction and acceleration, the XM has larger rear tires than the R1S (315/30R23 vs. 275/60R20). The XM’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the R1S (315/30R23 vs. 305/45R22).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the R1S Ascend Quad Max’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the R1S. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the R1S.

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Rivian doesn’t offer an active suspension on the R1S.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the R1S (122.2 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the R1S pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XM Label Red executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the R1S Ascend Tri Max (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XM’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (41 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The XM’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the R1S’ (41 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The BMW XM may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 750 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The XM is 8.2 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the XM much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The XM has a larger cargo volume than the R1S with its rear seat up (18.6 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 XM. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The XM’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.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the XM to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, brake fluid replacement, and vehicle inspections, 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 XM 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 XM has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the XM 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 XM’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 XM 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 XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the R1S.

The XM’s Parking Assistant 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.