Permanent AWD Option Coming Soon for Rivian Dual Motor Owners

Rivian’s Dual Motor R1 uses a rear motor clutch system that disconnects the rear motor during cruising to improve efficiency—defaulting to FWD at medium to high speeds unless extra traction or power is needed. Until now, drivers haven’t had manual control over this behavior in All-Purpose mode, which can lead to a slight power delay and noticeable NVH (a clunk, especially on Gen 1 units) when the rear motor re-engages under sudden throttle.

Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer, confirmed on social media that manual clutch control is coming, letting owners force permanent AWD regardless of drive mode. This means both motors can stay active at all times—great for those who want consistent traction, regen from both axles, or just a more locked-in feel.

Jose Castillo Founder and Editor

Jose Castillo is the founder of RivianTrackr and has owned and driven Rivians since early in the brand's consumer history. He currently drives an R1S and an R2 in Florida and uses Universal Hands-Free every day. As a credentialed Rivian journalist, he has covered the R2 First Drive in Park City and SXSW firsthand and has spoken directly with Rivian's software and autonomy leadership.

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