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Rivian R1S vs Toyota Highlander

2026 Rivian R1S vs 2026 Toyota Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Rivian R1S

2026 Rivian R1S

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $1,000 a year less in fuel for the Rivian R1S (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Rivian R1S is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Rivian R1S has had fewer recall campaigns (22 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Rivian R1S is a standard SUV powered by electricity and part-time 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 201 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 7,068 lb.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

Buying used? The 2024 R1S and the 2024 Highlander have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 Highlander.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
EV
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
EV
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

–
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
–
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
410 mi
EV range
–
$900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

533 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
7
Seats (most)
7
200.8 in
Length
194.9 in
79.1 in
Width
76 in
77.2 in
Height
68.1 in
7,068 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,123 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
14
3
Recalls (2026)
0
22
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
14
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

4,312
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,118

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Rivian R1S if…

  • You want an EV with more range (410 miles)
  • You want more power (up to 533 vs 265 hp)
  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (22 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Highlander if…

  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2026 Rivian R1S

  • Long EV rangeUp to 410 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Strong performanceUp to 533 hp, versus about 280 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Rivian R1S specs →Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →