Adventure SUV comparison

Rivian R1S vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.

Rivian R1S vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: Quick Verdict

Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Rivian R1S saves approximately $1,392 over 5 years compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Lower charging costs and reduced maintenance offset the EV's higher purchase price.

Rivian R1S

$75,900

purchase price

Mercedes-Benz GLE

$61,150

purchase price

EV saves

$1,392

over 5 years

Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.

Your Numbers

Adjust the inputs to match your situation. Results update instantly.

Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year

Charge at home overnight — cheapest option

⚠️ It depends — the difference is smalllow confidence

Too Close to Call

EV saves you

$1,392

over 5 years

EV saves per month

$172

fuel + maintenance

Operating cost payback

4.3 years

within ownership

Best case (Home charging): EV saves $1,392
Worst case (Public charging only): EV costs $3,954

The difference between the Rivian R1S and Mercedes-Benz GLE is small — only $1,392 over 5 years.

These vehicles are in different classes. The comparison is still valid but keep the size/class difference in mind.

EV saves you

$1,392

over 5 years (all-in)

EV saves per month

$172

fuel + maintenance

Operating cost payback

4.3 years

achievable within ownership

Vehicles compared

Rivian R1S vs Mercedes GLE

Adventure SUV

Full Cost Breakdown

Rivian R1S

Electric

Best
Purchase Price$75,900
Monthly Fuel$43
Annual Fuel$515
Total Fuel$2,574
Total Maintenance$3,250
Total Insurance$13,000
Resale Value$39,468
Total Cost of Ownership$55,256

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Gas

Purchase Price$61,150
Monthly Fuel$152
Annual Fuel$1,826
Total Fuel$9,130
Total Maintenance$7,250
Total Insurance$12,750
Resale Value$33,633
Total Cost of Ownership$56,648

Cost Over 5 Years

Year 1Mercedes GLE leads
Rivian R1S
$13,070
Mercedes GLE
$12,717
Year 2Mercedes GLE leads
Rivian R1S
$24,999
Mercedes GLE
$24,658
Year 3Mercedes GLE leads
Rivian R1S
$35,927
Mercedes GLE
$35,910
Year 4Rivian R1S leads
Rivian R1S
$45,977
Mercedes GLE
$46,550
Year 5Rivian R1S leads
Rivian R1S
$55,256
Mercedes GLE
$56,648
Rivian R1S (EV)Mercedes-Benz GLE (GAS)

Why This Result

At your inputs, neither option has a decisive cost advantage. Small changes in gas prices, electricity rates, or driving habits could tip the balance either way.

Fuel vs Charging

Charging the Rivian R1S costs about $515/year vs $1826/year for gas in the Mercedes GLE. That's $1311/year in fuel savings alone.

Maintenance

EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Rivian R1S saves roughly $4000 in maintenance over the ownership period.

Depreciation & Resale

The Mercedes GLE holds 55% of its value vs 52% for the Rivian R1S. Purchase price and resale value are often the largest factors in total cost of ownership.

Insurance

EV insurance tends to run higher due to specialized repair costs. We've included $2,600/year for the Rivian R1S vs $2,550/year for the Mercedes GLE in the total comparison.

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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $1,392 difference over 5 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com

About the Rivian R1S

The Rivian R1S is a fully electric adventure suv with an efficiency of 0.33 kWh per mile. Priced at $75,900, it costs around $650/year to maintain and $2,600/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Adventure Ready option in its class.

About the Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a gas-powered adventure suv achieving 23 MPG. Priced at $61,150, it costs around $1,450/year to maintain and $2,550/year to insure. Note that these vehicles are in different classes — keep size and use-case differences in mind.

How We Calculate Total Cost

Total cost of ownership includes purchase price, fuel or charging costs over your ownership period, annual maintenance, annual insurance, minus estimated resale value based on depreciation. This gives you the true all-in cost of each vehicle — not just the sticker price.

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