Compare the2026 Ford Mustang Mach-EVS 2027 Rivian R2

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 Mustang Mach-E 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 Mustang Mach-E has standard Post Collision 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 Mustang Mach-E and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang Mach-E has Cross Traffic Braking (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 Mustang Mach-E 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The R2 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

There are over 28 times as many Ford dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang Mach-E’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 81 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Rivian.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 15 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Mach-E gets better mileage than the R2:

For better stopping power the Mustang Mach-E’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the R2:

The Mustang Mach-E’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2’s standard 60 series tires. The Mustang Mach-E GT’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the R2’s 60 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang Mach-E Select/Premium’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the R2 (117.5 inches vs. 115.6 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang Mach-E’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the R2’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Ford Mustang Mach-E may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Rivian R2.

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

The front grille of the Mustang Mach-E uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The R2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Mach-E has 1.9 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more front hip room than the R2.

The Mustang Mach-E has a larger cargo volume than the R2 with its rear seat up (29.7 vs. 28.7 cubic feet).

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Mustang Mach-E’s exterior PIN entry system. The R2 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

The Mustang Mach-E’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Mustang Mach-E, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Mustang Mach-E as the 2021 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The R2 has never been chosen.