The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 20 to July 26, 2026
Rivian halts Half Moon Grey R2 deliveries, sues the federal government over tariff refunds, and puts out a charging adapter warning. Plus R2 battery pack costs, a tire efficiency breakdown,… · Rivian
Why You Would Still Order an R1 Over an R2 Today
Everyone assumes the R2 is the smart buy because that is where the new tech lives. Most of that tech is coming to the R1 anyway. The real reason to order an R1 today is the bigger body, the third row, the towing, and the range, none of which an update can ever add, and it makes you wonder why Rivian has not refreshed the R1 yet.
Rivian R1 Configurations Explained, Dual Large to Quad Max
The R1 order menu is down to four configurations. Here is how Dual Large, Dual Max, Tri Max, and Quad Max compare across every color, wheel, interior, and drive mode, and which ones unlock as you move up the lineup.
Rivian Officially Drops the R1 Dual Standard Configuration
Rivian has stopped selling the R1 Dual Standard on the R1T and R1S, ending the last LFP battery option in the R1 lineup and widening the price gap between R1 and R2.
Can Rivian Hit an 80% Mobile Service Target?
Rivian is doing nearly 60% of service via mobile vans and trucks, aiming for 80% to beat service center bottlenecks. Having experienced this with three Rivians, it’s incredibly convenient. However, pushing complex repairs to driveways just to hit a target risks hurting quality.
PSA – Shop Your Rivian Trade-In Before You Order An R2
Rivian appraised my R1T at $66,520. Carvana came in at $75,200 and Ever ended up paying $76,000. If you are trading in for an R2, shop your Rivian trade-in around first. The spread can run thousands.
The Sunday Drive – R2 Configure Emails, Service Layoffs, and Driver+ Lawsuit
Quieter week after the R2 launch. Configure emails ramp up, Rivian lays off hundreds from its service teams, and a Driver+ lawsuit lands over Gen 1 hands-free claims. Plus a new all in one location, the ChargeScape partnership, and my revamped Accessory Guide is live.
Why Rivian’s Boring Software Updates Are the Ones That Matter Most
We want a new feature every month and we want the bugs gone, and we get loud when either one is missing. That is the corner Rivian is stuck in, and the boring updates are the ones doing the real work.
Rivian Sued Over Driver+ Hands-Free Driving Claims on Gen 1 R1T and R1S
A class action lawsuit filed in California accuses Rivian of misrepresenting the autonomous driving capabilities of the first-generation R1T and R1S, claiming the company promised Level 3 hands-free driving the Gen 1 vehicles will never deliver. Here is what the complaint alleges, plus why this one hits differently with R2 and Autonomy+ on the horizon.
Rivian R2 Configure Emails Ramp Up One Week After Launch
Configure invites for the R2 are picking up a week after launch. Here is what to know if yours has not landed yet, including the wait for options that are not live and Rivian’s two to eight week estimate for builds you can take now.
Rivian Lays Off Hundreds From Service Teams a Week After R2 Launch
Rivian confirmed Tuesday it is cutting hundreds of jobs, less than 2% of its workforce, across its service and customer teams. The reductions land just one week after R2 deliveries began, with reporting putting this round at more than 300 people.