Software

Stay current on all Rivian software updates, features, and improvements. From over-the-air updates and UI changes to new app integrations and vehicle functions, this category covers everything happening on the digital side of Rivian ownership.

Why Rivian Kick Turn Won’t Be Available on Gen 1 Quad Models

07/21/2025
Rivian, Rivian R1S, Rivian R1T, Software
8
Jose Castillo

Rivian’s flashy new Kick Turn feature, the off-road party trick that lets an R1T or R1S pivot nearly in place, is making waves on the 2026 Gen 2 Quad models. But if you’re a Gen 1 Quad owner, don’t expect to see it coming to your truck or SUV through an update. Rivian has confirmed that Kick Turn will stay exclusive to the Gen 2 platform, and it all comes down to hardware and durability, not just software. The original…

Rivian Opens AI Development Hub in London to Advance Autonomous Driving

Rivian is officially heading to London. This morning, the EV maker announced a brand-new international office in the UK, focused entirely on artificial intelligence development. The goal? To build out a global hub for Rivian’s next-generation autonomy efforts. This new London office joins Rivian’s growing international footprint, which already includes teams in Vancouver, Amsterdam, and Belgrade. So why the UK? According to Rivian, the country is quickly becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence engineering. By opening a dedicated office…

Review – Rivian Brings Google Maps In 2025.22 Update

Rivian’s 2025.22 software update is here, and the big news is that Google Maps is finally integrated! In this video, I walk through everything new in this update, including a hands-on demo of Google Maps in action, updates to driver assistance with a trailer hitch accessory, improved vehicle dynamics for Gen 2 R1T and R1S, and a few smaller quality-of-life changes. As a reminder, Rivian software updates are rolled out in batches. Connect+ subscribers will get priority.

What’s Coming in Rivian Update 2025.22

Rivian’s 2025.22 update is currently in early testing with employees and is shaping up to be a solid quality-of-life release. While it doesn’t introduce major new features, it brings a bunch of meaningful improvements across both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles. 2025.22 is still in internal testing, but if all goes well, we expect a wider rollout in the coming weeks. See full release notes

The Case for Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Even if Rivian Doesn’t Want It

Rivian has been pretty clear from day one: they’re not planning to support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Their position? The in-vehicle experience is better when it’s built from the ground up, not handed off to third-party software. And honestly, there’s some truth to that. The UI is sleek, the native nav is solid, and Spotify, TuneIn, and Alexa are all well integrated. But even with all that, there’s still a strong case for CarPlay and Android Auto, especially the…