Compare the2025 Volkswagen ID.BUZZVS 2025 Rivian R1S

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The ID.BUZZ’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.

The ID.BUZZ has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The R1S doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ID.BUZZ has standard Maneuver Braking 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The ID.BUZZ has Car2X, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The R1S doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems

Both the ID.BUZZ and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and available around view monitors.

Warranty

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the ID.BUZZ for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R1S.

There are almost 13 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ID.BUZZ’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 4 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ID.BUZZ gets better mileage than the R1S:

			MPGe
ID.BUZZ
	RWD	Electric Motor	90 city/75 hwy
		Electric Motors	87 city/74 hwy
R1S
	AWD	Dual Large Plus 22" Wheels Electric Motors	89 city/75 hwy
		Dual Standard 20" Wheels Electric Motors	85 city/72 hwy
		Performance Dual Large 20" Wheels Electric Motors	85 city/72 hwy

Brakes and Stopping

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

	ID.BUZZ	R1S
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.5 inches
Rear Drums	13 inches	12.9 inches

The ID.BUZZ stops shorter than the R1S:

	ID.BUZZ	R1S
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	173 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The ID.BUZZ’s 235/50R20 front and 265/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R1S’ 65 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ID.BUZZ’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the R1S (127.5 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the ID.BUZZ’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the R1S Quad Max Ascend’s (37.4 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The ID.BUZZ 4Motion®’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the R1S’ (42.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

Chassis

The Volkswagen ID.BUZZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The ID.BUZZ is 5.4 inches shorter than the R1S, making the ID.BUZZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

Passenger Space

The ID.BUZZ has 3.2 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 10.6 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 9.6 inches more third row legroom, 5.4 inches more third row hip room and 1.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the R1S.

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

Cargo Capacity

The ID.BUZZ’s cargo area provides more volume than the R1S.

	ID.BUZZ	R1S
Behind Third Seat	18.6 cubic feet	17.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	n/a	48.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	75.5 cubic feet	n/a
Second Seat Folded	145.5 cubic feet	90.7 cubic feet

The ID.BUZZ’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 ID.BUZZ Pro S Plus’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by a gesture, 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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the R1S, the ID.BUZZ has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ID.BUZZ Pro S Plus has a standard 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 ID.BUZZ’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the van, all without removing the key from the 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 door.

The ID.BUZZ’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The R1S’ standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The ID.BUZZ’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The R1S doesn’t offer a power rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the ID.BUZZ 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 ID.BUZZ’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 ID.BUZZ to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R1S doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The ID.BUZZ has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the R1S.

Compared to the Rivian R1S’ traditional radio, the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ 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 ID.BUZZ’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The R1S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The ID.BUZZ is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The R1S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The ID.BUZZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025. The R1S has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the ID.BUZZ as the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The R1S has never been chosen.

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