Rivian vs Toyota:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Toyota had more branded searches than Rivian among car brands in the United States. Toyota had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Rivian had 1.3 million. Toyota made up 11.2% of all car brand searches we track, and Rivian accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about car brands, Toyota appeared in four of the five answers and Rivian in one. Toyota was mentioned before Rivian in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Toyota, about 6 searches for every 1 for Rivian
Who does AI mention more?
Toyota, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Rivian in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Toyota, named ahead of Rivian in every answer
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Top car brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Toyota was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Rivian was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Toyota was listed before Rivian in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Toyota4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Honda4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hyundai3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Subaru3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ford2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Kia2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Mazda2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lexus2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tesla1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rivian1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about car brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which car should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most reliable car brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the best family SUV to buy?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“car brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best suv”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.
Is Rivian or Toyota more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Rivian and Toyota by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 46 car brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Toyota, Rivian. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Toyota | Tesla | Honda | Ford | Kia | Chevrolet | Hyundai | Nissan | Subaru | Mercedes-Benz | BMW | Jeep | Mazda | Porsche | Lexus | Rivian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 10.1% | 6.4% | 6.3% | 6.6% | 4.5% | 5.6% | 4.8% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 3% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 10.1% | 5.6% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 3.7% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3.7% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 10.1% | 5.5% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.7% | 5.4% | 4.8% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 4% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 3% | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 10.5% | 5.7% | 7.2% | 6.3% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 3.5% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 2.9% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 10.8% | 5.7% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 5% | 5.2% | 4.4% | 3.9% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 10.3% | 5.6% | 7.1% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 10.5% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 3.2% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3% | 2.9% | 2.5% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 10.6% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.2% | 5% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 2.7% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 10.7% | 6.4% | 7.1% | 6.2% | 5% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 11.1% | 6.1% | 7.1% | 6.1% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 3.2% | 3% | 3.4% | 2.7% | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 10.5% | 6.7% | 7% | 6.3% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 4.9% | 3.6% | 3.2% | 2.9% | 3% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 11.2% | 7% | 6.8% | 6.2% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 2% |
How has the Rivian and Toyota comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Toyota was ahead of Rivian in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rivian’s share of searches among car brands in the United States moved from 1.3% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 871K to 1.3M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Toyota’s share of searches among car brands in the United States moved from 10.1% to 11.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.9M to 7.5M.
How did search popularity change for United States car brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Toyota gained share of searches among car brands in the United States, from 10.5% to 11.2%.
In September 2026, Rivian rose from 22nd to 19th among car brands in the United States.
How are branded searches counted?
15 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Rivian’s and Toyota’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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