Compare the2026 Volvo EX40 VS 2027 Rivian R2

The EX40’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The R2 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 EX40 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The EX40 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The R2 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.

Both the EX40 and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EX40 has Braking Intervention (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the EX40 and the R2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The EX40’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the R2’s (12 vs. 8 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the EX40 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volvo will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Rivian doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the R2.

There are almost 3 times as many Volvo dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EX40’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volvo higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 11 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

The EX40’s standard 235/50R19 front and 255/45R19 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 R2’s standard 60 series tires. The EX40’s optional 235/45R20 front and 255/40R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile than the R2’s 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the EX40’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the R2’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Volvo EX40 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Rivian R2.

The EX40 is 10.8 inches shorter than the R2, making the EX40 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the EX40 has standard flush composite headlights. The R2 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the EX40’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the EX40 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The R2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the EX40 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The R2 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EX40 has a standard rear wiper. The R2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The EX40 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R2 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The EX40’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The R2 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.