Mustang Mach-E vs Rivian R1T - Owner Comparison

Preface:

I’ve been asked by a few people on this forum to do a comparison of the MachE to a Rivian R1T based on my ownership of both vehicles. These are my opinions, and you might have a difference of opinion. There are many items, which I just don’t care about having one way or the other, so for those I’ll call out the difference and let you form an opinion.

Since the two vehicles are marketed and built for different use cases this will not include specific cases such as towing, camping, storage space, flashlights, removable speakers etc. as that wouldn’t be appropriate. This is based purely on qualities and functionality of similar items. This comparison is based on an MME GTPE and a R1T, 4 motor, large pack. Before the price hike in March both the MME GTPE and the R1T were only $4k apart from each other.

If you would like me to elaborate on any of my opinions, please let me know. I probably missed some things, but not on purpose.

Exterior Materials:

• Advantage MachE:
  • Better panel alignment. Rivian does fix any alignment issues, but it’s only after delivery.
  • Doesn't require jack pucks to lift
  • Electronic closing tailgate
• Advantage Rivian:
  • Better Paint Quality
  • Less Painted Plastic
  • Spare tire
  • Auto closing of the charge port door when engaging drive
  • Car wash mode
  • No ridiculous backup beeper
  • Auto dimming side mirrors as well as rearview (MachE only has rearview)
  • Door handles that don't need an explanation
  • Ability to wench/tow from front or back
  • Electronic closing frunk
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • The Rivian has 120v outlets available

Interior Materials:

• Advantage MachE:
  • Better, and configurable accent lighting
  • Better thoughtfulness of cup holders and center console usage.
  • IRR coatings on windshield
  • Laminated UV blocking side windows
  • Better door side pockets
  • Interior door handle that's easier to access
• Advantage Rivian:
  • Better quality seating material
  • Better floor mats
  • Better headliner material
  • More attention to detail on seating accents and overall look
  • Wood trim and overall, less plastic trim on the interior
  • Screen that looks like it belongs in the car rather than just slapped on the dash
  • Qi Wireless charging actually works and doesn’t turn the phone into a toaster
  • Telescopic steering column that moves out of the way on entry/exit along with the seat
  • Rear seat heating
  • Pet mode
  • Alarm sensors that can actually be disabled
  • Air-conditioned seats are standard - hallelujah
  • 4x USBC ports for back seat passengers
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • MachE has 12v plugs in the cabin, while Rivian has removed them from new builds
  • MachE has USBA in the cabin, while Rivian only has USBC
  • MachE has a more complex and enveloping interior while the Rivian is more open and simplistic.
  • MachE has a glove box, while Rivian doesn’t. Instead Rivian has two smaller compartments that swing out, like a glove box, from the bottom of the passenger and driver seats
  • MachE has physical buttons for garage doors while the Rivian uses digital buttons
  • MachE has manual adjustable vents, the Rivian vents are adjusted in the UI
  • MachE has more manual buttons, the Rivian uses more of a gesture system (multipurposed physical hardware) and the UI
  • The back seat leg room between both vehicles is almost identical

Audio

• Advantage MachE:
  • SiriusXM
• Advantage Rivian:
  • Better quality sound than the B&O system in the MachE
  • When you approach the Rivian the audio system and infotainment are on and ready to go, no boot up.

Charging:

• Advantage MachE:
  • P&C at EA
  • Preconditions using shore power if available (Rivian uses battery)
  • FAR LESS vampire drain
• Advantage Rivian:
  • L1/L2 locks to the vehicle (until it reaches the designated SOC)
  • Higher sustained DCFC rates
  • Better port placement
  • P&C at RAN
  • Free charging at RAN
  • Rivian still includes a mobile charger
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • Rivian has V2X capabilities that aren't enabled yet and I don't think that will be possible on current MachE vehicles.

ACP/AA:

• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • No ACP/AA in the Rivian, however I haven’t missed it one bit. I can still play any music from my phone and control it via the Rivian. As someone who loves technology, I’m surprised that I don’t really care about it being gone. Also, I still run Waze on my phone for alerts, but since the charge pad actually charges, I don’t care that I can’t see the map (since I use it for audible alerts only) and my phone stays full charge. Admittedly, I was never a heavy user of AA because of the battery drain, random disconnects etc.

Cruise Control & Associated Safety Features:

• Advantage MachE:
  • BlueCruise hands on is available everywhere whereas Rivian just has Adaptive Cruise everywhere. This means that the Rivian doesn’t do lane centering or steering unless on “Driver +” roads. Rivian will still do lane departure.
  • Quicker automatic acceleration from stops when the car is driving itself
  • Hands off option on some roads
  • Automatic re-engagement and resume functionality. Rivian disengages on lane change and has no resume function.
  • Ability to adjust with speed limit signs. I don’t use this function in the MachE, but the Rivian doesn’t have the option at all
  • Park Assist - Never used it, think it's stupid, but Rivian doesn't offer it.
• Advantage Rivian:
  • No ping ponging and it handles expansion joints smoothly
  • No right line hugging
  • Allows for Driver + over 80mph
  • Capacitive touch steering wheel instead of torque for hand monitoring
  • No eyeball nanny (yet - there is a driver facing camera which is not being used)
  • Handles lane mergers with ease
  • Doesn’t attempt to veer off into exit lanes, seems to follow the left lane markers.
  • Display alerts to upcoming conditions such as mergers
  • Driver + takes corners that Bluecruise will not
  • Lane departure audible tones
  • Side collision audible tones (merging into an occupied space with or without blinker)
  • Much better camera views
  • Automatic emergency braking works on people
  • Driver + and ACC automatically slows on sharp corners and indicates as such
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • Rivian shows the traffic on the dash including vehicles around you and which vehicle the Rivian is locked on to.
  • Closest distance setting on the Rivian is about ½ to 1 car length further back than the MachE

Technology, Screen and Controls:

• Advantage MachE
  • Easier to reach all parts of the screen
  • Dark mode during the day. Rivian’s dark mode during daylight hours is terrible
  • Auto switching to cameras while parking (forward only – Rivian does in reverse and it does proximity on forward, just no cameras)
  • Ability to set departure times
  • Hotspot supports 2.4Ghz (Rivian only supports 5Ghz)
  • Better route mapping with chargers. This will likely change however with Rivian's acquisition of ABRP
• Advantage Rivian
  • A UI that makes sense and was designed by people who know what they are doing
  • Quick response, no boot up, no lag
  • Can view all cameras while in motion
  • Energy efficiency displayed on the dash
  • Integrated dash cam and “sentry mode” which they call Gear Guard (using 10 cameras)
  • Monthly updates with pre and post release notes that are actually good
  • Free LTE hotspot and data for the vehicle
  • Better LTE signal strength than any car I've ever owned
  • No obnoxious double honk, single honk, scaring every animal within a mile every time you get out of the car. Rivian chirps like a bird.
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • Door keypad on the MachE – I only used it when PaaK didn’t work. If PaaK actually worked it would be useless for me.
  • Rivian only has 1 key fob (Gasp!). But it comes with 2 key cards for a wallet for a total of 3 keys. There’s also a wristband key for launch edition and coming to all vehicles.
  • Rivian key fob opens the frunk and tailgate, which I will likely never use
  • Rivian has a satellite map view as an option
  • MachE can support unlimited PaaK devices whereas Rivian limits you to two.

Performance:

• Advantage MachE
  • Better throttle response
  • Better steering response
  • Better mi/kw within or at city speeds
• Advantage Rivian
  • Quicker 0-60
  • Quicker ¼ mi
  • Quicker high-end acceleration
  • No jail bars unless you are in Conserve Mode, which disables 2 of the 4 motors (understandable)
  • Better/similar mi/kw as the GTPE @ 80mph when in conserve mode
• Differences - You decide the advantage:
  • Rivian doesn’t have the option to disable 1pd. I always use 1pd anyway, so I have no opinion
  • I don’t know where to put this but it’s definitely something to note. When the Rivian is in Conserve (aka FWD) or Sport mode the ride is worse than the GTPE with Magnaride. When the Rivian is in any All Purpose mode (AWD) then the ride is much better than the GTPE.

Mobile Apps:

• Advantage MachE:
  • Lock notification, when it works
  • Ability to charge to 100 as a temp override
• Advantage Rivian:
  • PaaK that works – Every.Single.Time.
  • Frunk opening that works for everyone
  • Enable heated or cooled seats from anywhere
  • Schedule service with pictures and video, right from the app
  • Much better Home Assistant integration and no worry about them locking us out.
  • Useful push notifications for items left open
  • Vent window option

Reliability:

I can’t make comments on the Rivian yet, but my (emphasis on my) MachE wasn’t the most reliable. Rivian also offers a far superior warranty:


Conclusion:

With the R1T, I think that based on the software updates and changes that they are making, they will continue to improve the truck to move some of the above “Advantage MachE” items into their advantage (as long as they stay in business). The things that drove me nuts about the MachE (mostly software, GOM, reliability, phantom openings and PaaK) aren’t problematic with the R1T and that just makes me happier overall. The feeling that I’m in a reliable vehicle is also much more comforting on long trips. Driver +, while not hands free, feels much more refined, reliable and safe at highway/freeway speeds.

I am surprised about the 80 mph efficiency. I read that it can be 2.1 mi/kWh or lower at that speed. I get 2.4 at 80.

I wonder if our dog crate would fit under the tonuou cover? I guess your cover is not powered?

mkhuffman said:

I am surprised about the 80 mph efficiency. I read that it can be 2.1 mi/kWh or lower at that speed. I get 2.4 at 80.

I wonder if our dog crate would fit under the tonuou cover? I guess your cover is not powered?

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So, every week I take the same drive about 200 miles each way. In the MME I would normally get about 2.2-2.4 in the morning and about 1.8-2.1 at night. I would use BCHF which has a max of 80mph and that's where I would set it.

So, to test it, yesterday I drove the same route in the R1T and set it to 80 each way. I got about 2.4 going and about 2.1 coming back. Half way through my return I actually averaged 2.7. I was also shocked to see those numbers. The Rivian doesn't do good around town. It likes constant speeds from what I've seen.

If you want me to measure it I will. How tall is the crate? Yes, I have the manual cover.

You can't turn off 1-pd drive? Wow. I've been keeping an eye on used ones but that might just kill it for me.

CompilerBreak said:

You can't turn off 1-pd drive? Wow. I've been keeping an eye on used ones but that might just kill it for me.

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Correct. There's 2 settings. Standard, which is very similar to the regen levels of Unbridled and "High" which is more pronounced than Unbridled.

My GTPE had the worst efficiency of all the EVs I’ve owned so I’m not surprised it’s as efficient as a brick truck. My Premium AWD ER is far more efficient.

My biggest issue with the R1T and R1S (I’ve test driven both) is the suspension and ride quality. It’s Tesla like - stiff and harsh. For an $80K SUV this is an issue. My R1S is arriving in 2 months after two year wait and I’m losing interest and maybe stick to as gas SUV for road trips.

Mach-E PAAK has been reliable in my 22s and it’s something I cry for in my Ioniq 5 (you must have the fob to start the car). Speaking of which… when I dump my Ioniq 5 I’m going to miss that HUD and auto lane centering. Those two things are near must have features.

voxel said:

I’m going to miss that HUD

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I can agree, I love HUDs and I don't know why more mfgs don't give them as options. Seems like it's mostly American car companies that refuse to let us have HUDs.

I picked up a used R1T in late April. It has advantages over the Mach E, but also disadvantages. For me, PAAK works about the same in both, it has been over a year since I needed a passcode. At least Ford has that backup.

BC is far better than Driver+, usable on way more roads, and my Rivian phantom braked many times on my first trip in it. D+ is basically copilot 360, but only on mapped roads.

The Ford Pass trip planner and navigation are better than what Rivian has. Rivian also does not have good settings for charging, for example no departure settings and no way to automatically change charge limits between home and away, no temporary charge to 100%. Basically have to manually set and reset the limits.

Drive modes are much better in the Rivian, as well as independent regen settings. Handling and ride are much nicer than the Mach E. Living in the desert, ventilated seats are great.

But not having satellite radio for remote areas, and not having CP for trail maps is a real downer. Streaming radio sucks where I live and drive.

I have had to wait 7 weeks to get a service appointment to have some issues fixed that were there when I bought it. Ford dealers are not great, but I never had to wait more than a few days to get in.

As for range, I have the CR1 rwd, and get 300 miles at 75mph. On an identical trip I took in the R1T, it was getting the same range. Less efficiency, but bigger battery.

AZBill said:

BC is far better than Driver+, usable on way more roads, and my Rivian phantom braked many times on my first trip in it. D+ is basically copilot 360, but only on mapped roads.

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The roads I've traveled have been the same and actually driver + is available on one of the 4 roads I take weekly and BC is not. So, I'm sure this varies by location. With only the capacitive touch needed it's almost hands free. You barely have to touch the wheel and it's happy. I haven't had any phantom braking yet.

AZBill said:

I have had to wait 7 weeks to get a service appointment to have some issues fixed that were there when I bought it. Ford dealers are not great, but I never had to wait more than a few days to get in.

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Again, I think this must be by area. I know Rivian also prioritizes service by severity. So, minor annoyances are longer. Ford, where I live, is 3-4 weeks to get a car in just for diagnostics. I like that Rivian does the diagnostic part in 1-2 days.

Excellent choice.

I have an R1S on order. I test drove it at the West Sac center. I was extremely impressed with the vehicle overall with a few disappointments - such as no CarPlay. The staff was professional above and beyond - a level that I would NEVER see at Ford. And, unlike Ford, they follow up to make sure they did everything right.

They also have some dedicated chargers at locations I want to travel to. There is the "promise" of Tesla access for Ford in the Spring but "we'll see."

Say Watt said:

The staff was professional above and beyond - a level that I would NEVER see at Ford. And, unlike Ford, they follow up to make sure they did everything right.

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We have the same service center and yes they are all amazing there. The nicest people and they actually want to help you.

Great post. I love AA and don't like 1PD so that would give me pause, especially at price of a Rivian. Neither a Rivian or a Lightning will fit in my garage so I'd have to pay for outside EVSE if I got either one.

@DevSecOps what year is your MME? I have a 2022 Premium and don't have a lot of your issues. Not sure if that's the trim, year or luck (or a mixture of all three).

Mandatory 1 pedal would not fly with us, but then again neither would a tiny bed "pickup".

DevSecOps said:

So, every week I take the same drive about 200 miles each way. In the MME I would normally get about 2.2-2.4 in the morning and about 1.8-2.1 at night. I would use BCHF which has a max of 80mph and that's where I would set it.

So, to test it, yesterday I drove the same route in the R1T and set it to 80 each way. I got about 2.4 going and about 2.1 coming back. Half way through my return I actually averaged 2.7. I was also shocked to see those numbers. The Rivian doesn't do good around town. It likes constant speeds from what I've seen.

If you want me to measure it I will. How tall is the crate? Yes, I have the manual cover.

Click to expand...

That is pretty amazing efficiency.

So with the 180 kWh max pack (I know you have the large pack) and 2.1 mi/kWh efficiency, that is 378 miles 100% to 0%. Assuming 80% to 10%, that's 264 miles of range. That might just be enough for me to start lobbying my wife for a new R1T.

But probably not. I do really like my MME and the max pack version I would want is $100k. And looking at the Visualizer, I am not sure the max pack really is 180 kWh as they originally said it would be. The max pack range is listed at 400 miles, which is lower than what would be expected for a pack that size. And I want a removable roof!!! Which was supposed to be an option originally.

As for the crate, I checked the dimensions and it will not fit. The crate is 22 inches tall. I guess I could take it apart, or lay it on its side to make it fit. For bulkier cargo like a dog crate, the R1S might be better.

One category you didn’t include:

Looks
Advantage Mache E
By a lot, IMHO ?