Longest-Range Rivian R1S Versus Tesla Model X AWD -- North American Specifications Comparison

[tps5352]

Currently, full-sized all-electric SUV/Crossovers available in the U.S. that will (comfortably?) seat up to seven include:

• Kia EV9
• Mercedes-Benz EQS
• Rivian R1S
• Tesla Model X

with new entries coming from Cadillac (Escalade IQ), Hyundai (Ioniq 7 Concept), Lucid (Gravity), Vinfast(?) (VF 9), Volkswagen (ID.Buzz), Volvo (EX90), and probably others.

Among these, the Rivian R1S and the Tesla Model X stand out at this time due to the (perhaps now arguable, for Tesla) appeal of their respective companies, high-tech features, and (pertinent to this post) superior range. Despite, as I've discovered, being very different cars designed for different purposes, the two are not infrequently directly compared by SUV shoppers looking for interior roominess and storage capacity, among other things.

As you know, accurate car data can sometimes be difficult to pin down. Here is a list of specs for the two versions of the Rivian and the Tesla with (I think) the longest maximum ranges. Since I unfortunately won’t be able to edit the table (after ~24 hours), treat these specs with caution and/or read below for corrections and comments. If a particular specification is particularly important to you, I recommend (like a good journalist) always verifying it with other, unimpeachable sources before buying.

Sources include the Rivian and Tesla websites, GOOGLE, and legitimate sites like Car & Driver and Kelly Blue Book. Unfortunately, because of different specifications among different model variations (due to factors such as numbers of motors, battery sizes, and wheel/tires), it can sometimes be difficult to determine the precise specs for a particular model variation. The Rivian “Build It” site helped.

Comparison of Current Longest-Range Rivian and Tesla SUVs
(as of August 2024)​

		Rivian 2025 R1S	Tesla 2024 Model X
	Model Version​	Adventure Dual Max​	All-Wheel Drive​
	Number of Motors​	2​	2​
	Number of Seats​	7​	7​
	Base Price​	$89,900​	$79,990​
	Price as Configured​	$91,650​	$86,630​
	Current Availability​	2 months (or less*)​	1 month (or less*)​
PERFORMANCE​	0-60 mph (seconds)​	4.5​	3.8​
	Top Speed (mph)​	125​	149​
	Peak Power (hp)​	533​	670​
	Torque (lb-ft)​	610​	557​
	Maximum Range (miles)​	410​	335​
	Towing Capacity (lb., braked)​	7,700​	5,000​
	Payload (lb.)​	1,764​	1,102​
STORAGE CAPACITY​	Front Trunk​	11.1​	6.5​
(cu. ft.)​	Rear Bin​	5.1​	3​
(rear seats​	Rear Trunk​	89.6​	78.7​
folded flat)​	Total​	105.8​	88.2​
BATTERY​	Capacity (kWh)​	149​	100​
	Type​	liquid-cooled Li-ion 400V​	liquid-cooled Li-ion 360V​
	AC Charging (kW)​	11.5​	11 - 22​
	DC Charging (kW)​	200​	250​
CHARGING EQUIPMENT​	Mobile Connector (cable)​	included​	$250​
	Wall Connector​	$800​	$450​
SIZE​	Length (in)​	200.8​	199.1​
	Wheelbase (in)​	121.1​	116.7​
	Width (in)​	88.8​	89.4​
	Width, Mirrors Folded (in)​	81.8​	81.6​
	Height (in)​	74.4​	66.1​
	Median Clearance (in)​	8.7​	6.9​
	Weight (lb.)​	7,068​	5,148​
INTERIOR​	Color as Configured​	black​	black​
	Driver's Display (in)​	12.3​	12.3​
	Center (touchscreen) Display (in)​	15.6​	17​
	Heads Up Display?​	no​	no​
	Rear Passenger Touchscreen?​	yes​	yes​
	Front Seats​	heated & ventilated​	heated & ventilated​
	Steering Wheel Type​	round​	round​
SOUND​	Number of Speakers​	12​	22​
	Road Noise Reduction​	no​	yes​
	Power (watts)​	600​	960​
EXTERIOR​	Color as Configured (white)​	$1,750​	$1,500​
​	Roof​	all-glass​	metal/plastic/glass​
	Front Trunk?​	yes​	yes​
	Powered Front Trunk Hood?​	yes​	no​
	Powered Rear Trunk Hatch?​	yes​	yes​
	Suspension​	Independent Air; 6.5" travel​	Adaptive Air; 2.4" travel​
	Tow Package?​	included​	included​
WHEELS & TIRES​	Wheels​	22" Sport Bright​	20" Dark Cyberstream​
(selected for​	Brakes​	4 disk brakes​	4 disk brakes​
best range)​	Compact Spare Wheel/Tire?​	$778​	no​
OTHER​	Driving/Parking Aids​	12 sensors; 11 cameras; 360° View​	12 sensors; 9 cameras​
	Driving Assistance​	included (2024)​	basic Autopilot included​
	Charging Standard​	CCS1 & J1772 (NACS in 2025)​	NACS​
	Tire Pressure Monitoring System?​	included​	included​
	Control/Monitor Phone App?​	included​	included​
	Software Upgrades​	regular downloads​	regular downloads​

_______
* New or next-to-new inventory cars may be available immediately.

Notes & Comments

• Naturally, manufacturers' prices and specification are (always) subject to change at any time.
• Total prices may change substantially as accessories and features are added or subtracted. For example, the addition of Full Self Driving bumps the price of the Tesla up by $8,000!
• A significant, optional Performance Upgrade (via software?) is available for the Rivian (for $5,000). To significantly improve Model X performance, buyers must purchase the Model X Plaid model (for an additional $15,000).
• I note (with concern) that the claimed maximum range for the Model X has declined about 30 miles between the 2020 and 2024 model versions. Is this an actual decline, or simply the result of more accurate reporting by Tesla?
• The Tesla appears to come standard with a premium sound system. A similar Rivian premium audio system is available (as an option-see Post #2, below).
• The R1S has space to store an optional compact spare wheel/tire. There is no corresponding area designated to hold a spare in the Model X.
• The Model X offers 5-, 6-, or 7-seating. I included 7-seater Model X specs here to be more directly comparable to the R1S.
• The Model X roof includes the two Falcon-Wing Door opening mechanisms. (So no all-glass roof or rooftop storage is possible on the Model X.)
• I welcome corrections, but please keep in mind that what you initially object to might not truly be an error (on my part). Certain specifications can obviously vary due to a number of factors. Even a manufacturer's different web pages may seemingly disagree on certain specs. Nonetheless, I apologize in advance for any obvious errors. (They were unintended.)
• While preparing this I noted that (as also happened with the now ten-year-old Model X) some features that came standard in earlier R1S model-years are optional accessories for 2025. Additional information about optional accessories (Post #2) and lists of possible subjective advantages for each car (Post #4) may be found below.

Some other pertinent Rivian Forums threads/posts of possible interest:

- Tesla Model X vs. Rivian R1S comparison review - from a real owner of both.
- Towing a 17ft/2,200lb RV trailer with a Tesla Model X; reasons why an R1S could be a better tow vehicle
- Comments about R1S, Model X, and new Gravity.

Some Visual Size Comparisons

- Rivian R1S Size Comparison With 36 Vehicles (2022) [Rivian Owners Forum]
- How the Rivian R1S & R1T looks next to a Model X, 4Runner and F150 (2019) [Rivian Owners Forum]

And here are some related Tesla Motors Club Forum posts:

- Another Direct Model X vs. Rivian Comparison: My Personal Experience
- 2024 or 2025 Model X? (discusses R1S with regard to Model X in some posts)
- All discussion of Rivian Automotive (Tesla investors and owner's discuss Rivian)

Some Other Online Articles

- Tesla Model X vs. Rivian R1S compare features and specs (2018) [xautoworld]
- Rivian R1S vs. Tesla Model X (2024) [iSeeCars]
- Model X vs Rivian R1S - Which is the better family hauler / road trip vehicle? (2023) [Reddit]

Sponsored

 

[tps5352]

Some Selected Factory Accessories​

Accessory/Option/Feature	Rivian 2025 R1S	Tesla 2024 Model X
Rivian Autonomy Platform+​	2025 price unknown​	---​
Tesla Full Self Driving​	---​	$8,000​
Mobile Air Compressor​	included?​	$110​
Built-in Air Compressor​	$350​	---​
Enhanced Anti-Theft System​	---​	$350​
Custom Car Cover​	---​	$450​
All-Weather Floor Mats​	$250​	$295​
Tow Package​	included​	included​
Mud Flaps​	---​	$40​
Optional Key Fob​	$250+?​	$175​
Replacement Key Card​	?​	$40​
Touch-up Paint​	$40​	$60​
Front Paint Protection​	$1,800​	---​
Roadside Safety Kit​	$150​	$65​
Wiper Blade​	$30​	$35​
Air Filter​	$35​	$34​
Bicycle Rear Bumper Hitch Rack​	---​	$540​
Bicycle Roof Racks​	$300 & $575​	---​
Window Sun Screens​	---​	$60 - $90​
Performance Upgrade​	$5,000​	---​
Dynamic Glass Roof​	$1,500​	---​
Dark Wheels​	$1,000​	included​
Dark Trim/Accents Package​	$1,000​	included​
Premium Audio​	$1,750​	included​
Camp Speaker​	$450​	---​
All-Terrain Package​	$3,700​	---​
Connectivity Subscription (per year)​	$150​	$99​
3-person Roof Tent*​	$2,800​	---​
Roof Cargo Crossbars (pair)​	$650​	---​
Off-Road Recovery Kit​	$650​	---​

_____
* For lion country? (See post here.)

Comments/Notes

• See OP for details about the two specific car model variations being considered.
• However, most accessories will probably apply to other model variations, also.
• Some prices for 2025 R1S optional features/accessories (e.g., key fob) apparently have yet to be determined.
• I anticipate that a wider range of Rivian factory accessories may become available in future years, and that current prices will change (for example, charging equipment may become less expensive).

 

[Blueassassin]

One is an SUV one is a large bubbly car trying to convince people it's an SUV. One should have a huge advantage in aero if you ignore that fact.

 

[tps5352]

For the two car models discussed in OP (Post #1):

List of Selected Possible Advantages
(subject to change)​

	Rivian R1S	Model X
QUALITY​	● Better build quality (?)	● Build quality improving
& COMFORT​	● Nicer interior materials/ details	● Minimalist interior (some like it)
	● Roomier third row seating	● Quieter interior (?)
RIDE &​	● More ground clearance	● More aerodynamic
HANDLING​	● More rugged	● More comfortable on-road ride (?)
	● Drives more like a truck	● Better on-road handling
	● Much better for off-road	● Drives more like a car
		● Better for on-road (?)
SELF-DRIVING​	● Driver+ is rapidly improving	● FSD more advanced
	● Driver+ does not require hands on wheel	● Basic Autopilot is pretty good
APPEARANCE​	● Standard Rear Doors (some dislike FWDs)	● Falcon-Wing Doors (some like them)
	● More traditional appearance	● More rounded appearance
PERFORMANCE​	● Larger battery & maximum range	● Slightly quicker base performance
	● Optional performance upgrade available
CHARGING​	● After 2025 no NACS adapter required	● No NACS adapter required now
	● Can now use Supercharger Network	● Can use Supercharger Network (of course)
		● Charges faster (?)
		● Better re-gen braking
		● Some equipment prices have declined
SOFTWARE​	● Software continually improving	● Better software (design, features)
OTHER​	● Can install roof racks	● Choice of yoke or round steering wheels
	● 360° Bird's-Eye camera view	● Choice of 5, 6, or 7 seats
	● Built-in air compressor available	● Can play stored music via USB
	● Wider range of stock colors	● Somewhat less expensive (?)
	● Retains steering column stalks	● Better window tinting
	● Tailgate (prevents stuff from falling out)	● Self-presenting driver door feature
	● Powered frunk hood struts
	● More exterior cameras/sensors (?)
	● More storage possible
	● CEO appears to be sane

Notes & Comments

• Many of these are completely subjective and some are apocryphal.
• I welcome discussion, but please keep it civil.
• Both cars are good, in their own ways.
• I used question marks where I was not sure or felt that the "advantage" is debatable.
• Time and upgrades will obviously affect some of these entries.

 

[ndmiller]

You forgot to mention the Model X is a 9 year old design introduced in 2015. 162K are on the road with another 900K of the little Y version. While amazing a decade ago, pretty boring and outdated today with everyone driving them or another older Tesla Model.

Rivian R1S is relatively new to the market and a unique choice.

 

[Electron]

A lot of good points here. Here's a perspective from one that owns both.

1. They are two completely different vehicles. Apples vs Oranges. As mentioned one is a True SUV that can seat 7 passengers (R1S), while the Model X w/ 6 seats is actually a true 4 seater, making it a CUV+. My wife call is a Cute Utility Vehicle. It is NOT a true SUV. Period. Case closed.

2. For pure people hauling the KIA EV9 is actually the best at doing people hauling stuff. Like the R1S it's a TRUE SUV. The only thing missing with the EV9 is a proper frunk and rear deep well. NACS will too come to HMG EVs very soon, by Q4 of this year or at the latest Q1 of 2025. Don't sleep on the EV9. There will be a GT variant of the EV9 next year as well. The EV9 is a sleeper. HMG just needs to rework the storage space and UI and this thing will be killer.

3. Mercedes EQS? More Cons than Pros. No frunk, lacks storage space. It gets great range, has a pilot like UI that nerds will love with all the nitty gritty tweakable features, very comfy, but this is also not a TRUE SUV. It's a CUV at best.

4. Tesla Model X, great for a family of 4, neat falcon wings that acts as shade or an umbrella (very over looked, it's not all show), respectable frunk and rear deep well, Best Sound system over Rivian by a long country mile, Best UI in the business PERIOD. Rivian is 2nd, but not a close 2nd. It's evolving fast, but Tesla UI is just next level. Tesla also has the best driving dynamics overall and it's not just because it's more car like with the dynamics on the X, go drive a Cybertruck and it destroys the Rivian in the truck cateogry as well. Also keep in mind to not trust the paper specs for range. Tesla over inflates (lies), forced to lower their quoted range due to a law suit, so don't take paper specs seriously with Tesla. At least with Rivian, Benz and KIA you will get accurate estimates.

5. The R1S is the best off road SUV EV period. Is it the best family vehicle for a young family? No. You'll be eating the front dash up front with rear facing cars seats in the 2nd row. Accessibility is terrible in the R1S with car seats in general. The KIA EV9 is the best that gives you the most space up front with rear facing car seats. If this doesn't apply to you then the R1S excels in many areas. R1S lacks a good sound system, it's very unbalanced and lacks a lot of needed features that Tesla offers on the UI side of things.

Summary:

Rivian R1S: Best off road true SUV in the business with, good range, best storage space, and the 2nd best UI. It's best in class in a lot of areas. Bad for young families with rear facing car seats.

KIA EV9: Best famliy EV SUV that excels at the basics, which are important to those hauling people or with a young family. Lacks a proper frunk and rear storage space. Great UI for those coming from an ICE, but mediocre from those who are spoiled with Tesla's UI. It does have wireless Car Play and Android Auto though so Waze/Google away.

Mercedes EQS: Odd ball in the mix. It's good for grandparents to haul around their grand kids in cloudy plushness, but the UI is too advanced for most Seniors. No Frunk (major fail, at least the EV9 has one) and lacks storage space.

Tesla Model X: Safest vehicle in the business. Best driving dynamics, neat falcon doors (giving you the minivan opening, but better actually), great for a young family of 4, respectable frunk and rear storage, Best UI among them all, and just works. Mature platform, more reliable drivetrain than Rivian overall and again just works. The major con is that it is NOT a true SUV for family beyond 4.

Cadillac Escalade IQ: Over priced GM that will depreciate 50%-60% pretty fast. It's a great EV SUV for retired folks who want a land yacht. The center console extending into the 2nd row eats up a lot of space so funtionality wise, may not be so great for families needing space. It'll have a monster battery pack, which is neat like the Denali and Silverado EV. (Great for V2H as you'll have a huge pack.) A lot is still TBD. We will more know soon enough.

IONIQ 9 (renamed from the IONIQ 7): This being the sister EV to the KIA EV9, it will excel if it offers a proper frunk, rear deep well and a reworked UI. By the time it's released in 2025 it'll have the NACS port. The IONIQ 9 could be very promising. TBD...

Lucid Gravity: Likely will be the best and most pratical EV SUV w/ van practicality in this space. It'll excel in range as Lucid is known for and will top the Rivian in luxury like features. Very promising option as well. TBD...

VW ID.Buzz: A meme like EV Van, more for tickling the nostalgic nerve. Let's be frank. Crap UI, Crap build quality, Crap aero dynamics, Crap range, Crap charging curve, Cheap base rental car like feel, and it's a VW (quality is not in its volcabulary).

Volvo EX90: Owned by Geely = CCP. Enough said. Don't support CCP EVs, period. Crap quality, all flash and show, while under the skin is gutter oil. It's no longer a pure Swedish brand people. It's actually very sad who all sits under the Geely umbrella.

Vinfast VF9 = VinFAIL is the proper name. Absolute rubbish. For those that don't know this crap of a company is just a bunch of investors from vietnam that got together to create something to have their foot in the EV space. There is Zero heart in the game here. Their EVs are legitately Rubbish. Serioiusly. Do some research. Everything about them is just crap all around. Again, ZERO heart in the game so don't support them. I don't know who holds the crown for being the worst, a CCP owned Volvo, Diesel gate VW or this. Common denominator, all three start with a V.

The future:

In my opinion the main EV players will be Tesla, HMG (Hyundai Motor Group = IONIQs, KIA, Genesis) and Rivian. GM will be a player, but their EVs won't be as good as the 3 mentioned in my opinion. Globally and unfortunently the CCP EVs will take over Europe, SE Asia, South America and Austrailia. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[tps5352]

You forgot to mention the Model X is a 9 year old design introduced in 2015. 162K are on the road with another 900K of the little Y version. While amazing a decade ago, pretty boring and outdated today with everyone driving them or another older Tesla Model.

Rivian R1S is relatively new to the market and a unique choice.

I hear you. But many customers also want "safe" and "secure." Look at all the people who every seven years or so get a new Ford F-Series P/U, or who are, like, lifetime Chevy- or Honda-people, or who would never take a chance on some new tech-company product (like, God-forbid, the "outlandish" Cybertruck). Just as Tesla did earlier in its history, Rivian has a small mountain to climb. If the R2 and R3 become successful, Rivian should become financially secure. However, it may face stiffer competition in its electric car market than did Tesla back in 2017. We'll see.

 

[ndmiller]

I hear you. But many customers also want "safe" and "secure." Look at all the people who every seven years or so get a new Ford F-Series P/U, or who are lifetime Chevy- or Honda-people, or who would never take a chance on some new tech-company product (like, God-forbid, the "outlandish" Cybertruck). Just like Tesla did earlier in its history, Rivian has a small mountain to climb. If the R2 and R3 become successful, Rivian should become financially secure. However, it may face stiffer competition in its electric car market than did Tesla back in 2017. We'll see.

The ones not buying EV's you mean, so not really relevant to the discussion.

The thread is about EV buyers and this choice. From who I've talked to who've seen my R1T and the R1S in our parking lot, all discussion about the Model X is how old the design is. For what it's worth my family is a lifetime Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus and we bought Mercedes first EV B250E and now a Rivian.

 

[Electron]

I hear you. But many customers also want "safe" and "secure." Look at all the people who every seven years or so get a new Ford F-Series P/U, or who are lifetime Chevy- or Honda-people, or who would never take a chance on some new tech-company product (like, God-forbid, the "outlandish" Cybertruck). Just like Tesla did earlier in its history, Rivian has a small mountain to climb. If the R2 and R3 become successful, Rivian should become financially secure. However, it may face stiffer competition in its electric car market than did Tesla back in 2017. We'll see.

The Tesla Model X is The Alpha King of all Vehicles for when it comes to safety. As for the Ford F-Series, it's actually not too good. Ford has terrible structural integrity, especially up top above the A pillar. It's a pop can. The main frame structure is very weak compared to other vehicles with Fords.



I'm certain that Rivian will face stiffer competition in the EV space due to many reasons, but one of the most obvious being that it's entering into a space where there is actually competition now, unlike Tesla where it was the only player on the field for a long time.

 

[Electron]

The ones not buying EV's you mean, so not really relevant to the discussion.

The thread is about EV buyers and this choice. From who I've talked to who've seen my R1T and the R1S in our parking lot, all discussion about the Model X is how old the design is. For what it's worth my family is a lifetime Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus and we bought Mercedes first EV B250E and now a Rivian.

The design of the Model X age wise is dated, but the design itself still holds strong, looking far more futuristic than most cars on the road today. Tesla's design is pretty timeless in many ways. Have to give Franz a lot of credit even if one doesn't like Tesla. The Model S still looks stunning on the road today compared to any of its competition.

Tesla isn't really focusing on the S or X line as those exist mainly for sentimental reasons. The best example of the car that Tesla wished they had made from the get go is the new Model 3 Highland. It's excellent and all those changes will carry over into the Model Y Juniper. If lucky, we might see the new DNA flow into a refreshed S and X, but that's a big maybe at this point.

To stay relative to this thread, if the new DNA from the CT and Highland existed on the Model X right now, it'd elevate the Model X tremendously. At the same time, the newer Model X is pretty great overall compared to the Rivian, build wise. I think when most people think of Tesla they think of the eco lines with the 3 and Y, which then they clump up the S and X as being the same. They are not. The S and X are much better built than the 3 and Y.

 

[tps5352]

The ones not buying EV's you mean, so not really relevant to the discussion.

The thread is about EV buyers and this choice. From who I've talked to who've seen my R1T and the R1S in our parking lot, all discussion about the Model X is how old the design is. For what it's worth my family is a lifetime Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus and we bought Mercedes first EV B250E and now a Rivian.

Here is a "single-datum" example (me):

In early 2021 (after leasing Honda Clarity hydrogen fuel cell sedan for 4 years) I definitely wanted an all-electric car. On paper, I was impressed with a new (to me) company called "Rivian" and its planned SUV. Unfortunately, it would be a year or more before the R1S was mass-produced (and longer for a large-battery version); I couldn't wait. My next choice was Tesla (which I had followed since 2016).

Now as it happened, in January 2021 Tesla announced the new, "refreshed" versions of Models S and X. After review I knew I did not want those new versions (intended to update those 9- and 6-year old vehicles). So I went to the added expense of getting one of the few remaining new "Legacy" Model X (made 12/2020) still available in the U.S. (Mine came from Honolulu!). I love this car--despite its "old" design, "outdated" features, and "boring" appearance. And if we were close I'd offer to drive you around and show off it's speed and many high-tech features. BTW, it's the sensible "Long Range Plus" version, but still goes like a rocket ship. I once purposefully took it for an aggressive spin on the twisty (and beautiful) Highway 128 from Napa (California) past Lake Berryessa to Winters (here in the Central Valley) and it handled as well as my 1992 Honda Accord (which was a great car to drive). (Despite its bulk, Model X has that low center of gravity, I guess.)

My point? Not everyone wants the newest, latest thing; even among prospective BEV shoppers.* (There were quite a number of people who did what I did--i.e., scoured the Country in January 2021 for the remaining new "Classic" Models S and X before they were all sold out, rather than waiting to buy a "Refreshed" version with new features. Over a few days I watched scores of new S/X vehicles disappear off of the existing inventory lists. That made it difficult to purchase one of the remaining new "Classic" S/X in January 2021. I was lucky to get mine.) Again, some of us want tried-and-true, well-tested products, with the bugs worked out. And that is what I got. It's been a good car. As we all know, brand new model iterations (whether Tesla. Rivian, or other brands) can sometimes suffer from annoying issues during the months after first release.

Despite all this I remain interested in Rivian and its (true) SUV (for several reasons). And I recognize that the R1S and Model X are (by intent) very different cars (yet probably still share some technological DNA).
-------
* And lest we forget, not everyone can afford top-of-the-line electric vehicles from Rivian, Tesla, Lucid, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. I feel fortunate to now be able to afford one. The Model X was the first new car I ever purchased. (The Honda Clarity had been leased at a good price.) Every other car I owned was a used or hand-me-down vehicle.

 

[carsly]

Thanks for compiling.

The Model X is a minivan, watch the unveil and that's exactly how it was introduced and marketed. It is NOT a SUV and it's not trying to be one either. Having owned a 2019 Model X Performance Ludicrous (5 seat) and spent a few days with a 2022 Model X Plaid (6 seat) loaner neither are really fit for more than 4 adults or 2 adults and three kids. The missing info from your table is second and third row legroom and headroom. Second row legroom in solid in the Model X in all seating configs but the middle seat headroom in the second row is very tight due to the massive center rail that holds up the falcon wing doors. Third row legroom in 6 or 7 seat configs is negligible which is why the 6 seat configuration exists IMHO as you need that center space open in the second row for third-row passengers to get any legroom (still not much headroom).

The R1S feels like it's 85% the size inside of a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander with a 100% sized exterior. Second row legroom is fair, but not fantastic but second and third row headroom are solid. R1S has more useful rear storage area with double underfloor storage and has room for a compact spare which is a huge plus in my book - you're not carrying a spare in the Model X unless you give up all the rear storage.

If you want a minivan for toting small kids to schools and malls, then Model X is tough to beat. It's exceedingly practical, comfortable for long-distance trips and Supercharger access is a massive plus. But it's no SUV.

The R1S is an SUV which can do SUV things and has SUV look/feel/interior space. It's pretty similar to a Defender 110 in terms of ride, comfort, look/feel and driving just all electric. CCS is a minus for trips and "Supercharger access" means you have access to about half the Superchargers if you have an appropriate adapter. BTW, the Model X can also charge on CCS with an adapter as well as J1772 with an included adapter.

Really depends on what your needs are, either one can suit the purpose with the Model X being more efficient albeit not a SUV.

 

[tps5352]

...The Model X is a minivan,...

I can't disagree.

For me, though it is like an enclosed mini-pickup truck. I have a 5-seater but I tend to forget about the rear seats and head- and leg-room because I keep the rear seats folded flat for full-time storage. But for someone who has a 7-, 6-, or even 5-seater Model X and a large family (or lots of neighbor kids) to haul then, yes, it is a minivan, for sure. Just one that is super quick with good handling (low COG) and lots of cool features. (Though these days many new ICE, hybrid, and BEV cars are loaded with high-tech gadgetry.)

BTW, that is how I will also configure the R1S--with the two rear seat rows pretty much permanently folded flat (I think they do that?) for tons of storage.

 

[tps5352]

Despite the R1S and the Model X (intentionally, by design) being such different vehicles, it is interesting just how often they are directly compared by automotive journalists, online auto sales sites, car owners, and potential customers. In this spirit, I've added (and will continue to add) links to various related articles, posts, and visual comparisons to Post #1.

 

[tps5352]

...it is interesting just how often they are directly compared...

Speaking of which...Buyer’s Guide: Rivian R1S vs Tesla Model X.

Although I am not (yet) a Rivian owner, I can understand the perplexity and even mild annoyance some Rivian aficionados may have over this. Based on my (still limited first-hand) experience with the R1S so far, it clearly seems well-engineered for and easily capable of recreational off-paved-road situations (e.g., for camping, hunting, exploring, etc.); situations that would challenge or even daunt the more-paved-road-worthy Model X.

All I can think is that, as we saw with the various "station-wagon" versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser--e.g., FJ50, FJ60, FJ80, Lexus incarnation, etc.--plenty of well-heeled suburban ("soccer mom") families were buying them for strictly on-pavement tasks, in addition to individuals and businesses using them for the more demanding off-pavement uses they were actually designed for. (At some point in Land Cruiser history Toyota marketing must have caught on, right?)

I suspect that something similar is happening with today's Rivian (and perhaps other on-/off-pavement) trucks. That's OK, I guess--right? (And I do recognize that many paved-road-intended cars can survive some dirt roads and trails, provided conditions are not too demanding. Similarly, some off-paved-road-touted recreational vehicles can have a rough time in truly rugged off-road situations. It's all relative to actual road, weather, and vehicle conditions--like ground clearance--as well as operator skill/experience.)

Do You Go Off-Roading?

Can You Drive a Normal Car Off-Road?

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