Tesla and Rivian really have a caboodle in mutual . Both are comparatively new company in the grand scheme of things , at least compared to the bequest automakers that are now change to EVs , but their factual vehicles are jolly unlike . The Tesla Model Y is the most popular electric vehicle in America , serve as a in high spirits - tech crosswalk for those interested in buying a Tesla . TheRivian R1Sis Rivian ’s electric SUV , obviously boasting a larger body , but also putting tech first .

On top of the Tesla Model Y being the most democratic EV properly now , it ’s also in the midst of getting a major refresh in the form of the Model Y Juniper . We ’re still early on in the rollout of that refresh , though . While Tesla has released the Model Y Juniper in its base form in China , the version of the fomite being sell in the US right now is the so - squall Launch Edition New Model Y , which is a gamey - carrying into action adaptation of the Model Y Juniper that comes with a gamey terms tag . For this comparability , we ’ll use the glasses from the both the entryway - level Model Y Juniper being sold in China , and the launch variant New Model Y being sold in the U.S. Keep in mind , however , that until the Model Y Juniper incur a across-the-board U.S. release , only the previous - generationModel Yis being sell alongside the Launch Edition New Model Y

So how does the Tesla Model Y Juniper liken with the second - generation Rivian R1S , which was unveiled last year ? Here ’s a look at the two head to head teacher .

Design

The design of the Tesla Model Y Juniper and Rivian R1S are pretty much completely different . That said , gratefully both of the vehicles expect relatively mod and stylish .

The Model Y Juniper celebrate many pattern elements from the previous contemporaries Model Y but switches out some of its design for more modern touches . For example , in berth of the bulbous headlights on the front , the Model Y Juniper has a long Light Within bar that ’s split into three division , similar to the Tesla Cybercab . It also has a light bar as its rearward taillight , unlike the also - relatively - newModel 3 Highlandrefresh .

The Rivian R1S is designed to be much more rugged . It ’s a true sport utility vehicle with a big box-shaped human body and a large frame . It has Rivian ’s iconic oval headlights on the front , which interrupt a light bar that adulterate along the front of the vehicle . On the back , it also has a long lightheaded measure for its tail light . Seemingly , light bars are in style right now — between the Model Y Juniper and the R1S , there are four of them .

Ultimately , design is subjective . While I personally prefer the look of the Rivian R1S , you ’ll have to settle for yourself which fomite look better to you . This category is a linkup .

Winner : splice

Interior and tech

The interior designs of these vehicles are fairly different too , though again , thankfully , both of them are relatively advanced .

The design of the Model Y ’s inside is very Tesla . It ’s minimalistic and jolly nude , though for the Model Y Juniper , Tesla has add more accent lighting and increase the size of it of the infotainment display from 15 inches to 15.4 inches . That display is where you ’ll both control every aspect of the vehicle and get information like your current pep pill , as there ’s no instrument presentation behind the steering wheel in the Model Y. There is a 2nd concealment , though . For the Model Y Juniper , Tesla has add a little display for the second - row passengers to control their own clime setting and get at their own amusement . It ’s a decent addition , especially look at the fact that many Model Y owners have been putting aftermarket displays there anyway .

The launch edition of the new Model Y being sold in the US has a number of technical school features to mention . Notably , it add up with Tesla ’s so - called Full Self - Driving tech , which usually cost extra . It ’s of import to note that you should always be ready to take control of a car , even if it ’s in so - call “ ego - driving ” mode .

The interior ofthe Rivian R1Sis modern too , but it ’s not quite as minimalistic . That ’s not a bad affair , though . Plenty of people opt to have an instrument exhibit for monitoring things like speed and other stage setting . To that end , the Rivian R1S has both an instrument display behind the steering roulette wheel and an infotainment display in between the two front seats .

The R1S ’s interior build is also design to be rugged , offering a heavier sewed leather and extra figure element like handles and more storage . It also has more can than the Model Y , give way the fact that it has three rows . With those three rows , it can seat up to seven masses : two in the first row , three in the second quarrel , and two in the third course .

Both the Tesla Model Y and the Rivian R1S extend completely custom software experiences . Both Tesla and Rivian have become acknowledge for developing dependable software , which is helpful consider the fact that neither of the two fend for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto .

Again , however , upcountry design is subjective . Do you prefer an radical - minimalistic look or a more rugged take on design ? That ’s up to you to make up one’s mind , but this category is a standoff .

Performance

public presentation is where the comparison between the two vehicles will start to get a little uncanny . For this division , we ’re going to use the RWD and AWD Model Y Juniper variants being sell in China , along with the launch edition new Model Y being betray in the US , which we expect to offer similar public presentation to an eventual Model Y Juniper Performance variant .

The RWD and AWD variants of the Model Y Juniper seem to be a little quicker than their late - genesis counterparts . The only numbers we have relating to the bag RWD Model Y Juniper are from Tesla ’s China division , meaning that speedup is measured from 0 to 100 kilometers per hr , which equates to 62 mph . That reading of the fomite can get to 100 kilometer / h in 5.9 seconds . The launching variation new Model Y is the Long Range AWD Model Y , and it can hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds , allot to Tesla . We do n’t yet have any info about a possible Model Y Juniper Performance .

The Rivian R1S , however , is potential to be quicker no matter what , though you will have to pay for that performance . The R1S is the R1S Dual Standard and is capable dispatch 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds . The fastest R1S currently available is the R1S Tri , which has three motors and can get to 60 miles per hour in only 2.9 seconds . At some point this year , Rivian will release the R1S Quad with four motors and the ability to speed up to 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds . That ’s fabulously immediate .

The current Model Y Performance ( which isnota Model Y Juniper ) can attain 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds , and we ’re not require a Model Y Juniper Performance to knock off a full minute off that time to fit the R1S. This class goes to Rivian .

Winner : Rivian R1S

Range and charging

The range offered by these two vehicle is pretty unlike too . Again , we ’re going to have to get a little funky with numbers for the Model Y. The base RWD Model Y Juniper has a range of 593 kilometer as rated by the CLTC . The CLTC is a lilliputian more relaxed in its testing than the EPA in the U.S. , so while 593 km equate to around 368 international nautical mile , we ’re carry that number to be scurvy once the Model Y Juniper gets a U.S. sack — though the RWD Model Y Juniper ’s range is around 24 miles longer than the previous - multiplication Model Y RWD , according to the CLTC .

The range of the launch edition New Model Y is 320 nautical mile .

Again , however , the Rivian R1S offers more in the way of options . The R1S Dual Standard has a kitchen range of 270 miles , which is slimly low-down . That said , the step up from the Dual Standard is the R1S Dual , which has the Max battery choice , bringing the vehicle to a huge 410 mile . Other variants of the fomite sit somewhere in between .

The Model Y Juniper can shoot at up to 250kW , while the Rivian R1S can reach 300kW , though only in specific situations .

With a long reach , the Rivian R1S bring home the bacon this category .

Price and availability

In this article , we ’re specifically looking at the Tesla Model Y Juniper , which has very limited availability in the U.S. Tesla has announced the Launch Edition New Model Y for the U.S. marketplace , which will begin deliveries in March and starts at $ 59,990 . Eventually , Tesla will put back all versions of the Model Y with the refreshed Model Y Juniper , but we do n’t yet eff exactly when that will happen . In the meantime , if you do n’t need the expensive Launch Edition variant , you ’re stuck with the late - generation Model Y.

The second - coevals Rivian R1S , on the other hand , is uncommitted right now unless you bump to want the Ultra High Performance Quad Motor version , which will become available at some point this class accord to Rivian . That say , the Rivian R1S begin at a much gamy toll than the Model Y , with the base model coming in at $ 75,900 .

The Tesla Model Y Juniper is n’t really available in the US , but the Rivian R1S is more expensive than even the Model Y Juniper that youcanbuy . Basically , it ’s a lose - lose , so this one ’s a railroad tie .

Overall winner: Rivian R1S

Perhaps this comparison is n’t really fair . The Tesla Model Y has always been a go - to for those who want a high - tech EV that does n’t have a wholly outrageous price tag . The Rivian R1S is much more expensive than the Model Y , so it makes mother wit that it would offer a better image and performance .

Ultimately , you should make your decisiveness based on how much you ’re unforced to pass and how much way you need for passenger . If you do n’t need more than five seats and do n’t mind grease one’s palms a Tesla with all its controversies , then the Model Y might be for you . If you do demand extra room and can spend some more money , then the Rivian R1S is an excellent pick .