Compare the2024 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2023 Rivian R1S

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 Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The R1S doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Rivian R1S, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has a standard Parking Support Brake 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.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (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 Highlander Hybrid 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R1S.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 52 points higher than the R1S.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Rivian is ranked 28th.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander Hybrid’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the R1S’ (37.4 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2400 to 2650 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Highlander Hybrid is 5.9 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Highlander Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Highlander Hybrid is 5.8 inches narrower than the R1S, making the Highlander Hybrid easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Highlander Hybrid is 9.3 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Highlander Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the R1S can only carry 7.

The Highlander Hybrid has .1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more third row hip room and 3.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the R1S.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The R1S’ third row seats don’t recline.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the R1S.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander Hybrid. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander Hybrid’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 Highlander Hybrid XLE/Limited/Platinum’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.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction 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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The R1S doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Highlander Hybrid’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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R1S doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The R1S’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The R1S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Rivian R1S isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Rivian R1S/R1T by almost four to one during 2023.