Audi SQ8 e-tron vs Rivian R1S: Specs Compared
Also searched as Rivian R1S vs Audi SQ8 e-tron specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Rivian R1S is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 85 mpg combined versus 73 mpg for the Audi SQ8 e-tron, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Rivian R1S leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2024–2025
Audi SQ8 e-tron
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 8 configurations
2022–2027
Rivian R1S
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 94 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi SQ8 e-tron | Rivian R1S |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 73 mpg | 85 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 72 mpg | 94 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 75 mpg | 77 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,050 | $900 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1), Automatic (A2) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2024–2025 | 2022–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 8 | 94 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Audi SQ8 e-tron vs Rivian R1S dimensions and size
The Rivian R1S is 7.1 inches longer than the Audi SQ8 e-tron on a wheelbase 5.9 inches longer, and 1,225.8 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Audi SQ8 e-tron (2025) | Rivian R1S (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.7 in | 200.8 in | 7.1 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 76.4 in | 79.1 in | 2.8 in |
| Height | 64.2 in | 77.2 in | 13 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in | 121.3 in | 5.9 in |
| Curb weight | 5,842 lbs | 7,068 lbs | 1,226 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Audi SQ8 e-tron vs Rivian R1S: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Rivian R1S burns about $900 of fuel annually against $1,050 for the Audi SQ8 e-tron. That $150 yearly gap compounds to roughly $750 over five years and $1,200 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Rivian R1S leads in both cycles — 94 mpg city and 77 mpg highway against 72 and 75 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the Audi SQ8 e-tron is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Rivian R1S with 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
SQ8 e-tron vs R1S: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi SQ8 e-tron or the Rivian R1S?
The Rivian R1S is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 85 mpg combined versus 73 mpg for the Audi SQ8 e-tron, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Rivian R1S runs about $900 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,050 for the Audi SQ8 e-tron — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the SQ8 e-tron and R1S offer?
Audi SQ8 e-tron: no engine data on record. Rivian R1S: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Audi SQ8 e-tron and the Rivian R1S as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More SQ8 e-tron comparisons
More R1S comparisons
Comparison id: audi-sq8-e-tron-vs-rivian-r1s