Rivian Recap: 08/07/2026
Hey there,
Here's your weekly Rivian Recap for August 7th, 2026.
We have new software updates for R1 and R2, details about trading in my R1T, it's pickup day for R2, and we get more R2 range data.
Let's dive in!
Software
We finally have updates for both R1 vehicles and yet another major release for R2 roughly 3 weeks since the last update.
The big story for this cycle across both platforms is around Autonomy+ improvements for Gen2 R1 and R2 vehicles. You can start to see the pieces coming together for point-to-point but we are still a ways off from that.
Key Autonomy Improvements:
Traffic Light Visualization (but not action!), along with traffic cones.
Vehicles capable of Autonomy+ will now give you a visualization of traffic lights, but the vehicle will still not stop or proceed based on light activity.
Based on interviews with team members, Gen2 and later vehicles have identifying stoplights and stop signs for quite some time, but this is the first time we've seen them displayed to the driver.
Based on videos (linked below), it seems like the lack of action on light status may be around confidence for light status. As we don't see yellow lights displayed, and there's a big of instability in red/green status.
This is not unusual as we saw many instances in earlier stages of Tesla's autonomy software development of similar visual instability.
Lane Change on Command "Anywhere"
A handy feature of Autonomy+ is the ability to hit the blinker, and then the vehicle will check its surroundings and initiate a lane change. This includes speeding up or slowing down slightly to hit a gap.
The main issue this feature has had is that it has not only been limited to divided highways, but even then the coverage was not universal.
In the Seattle area for example, there are stretches of south bound I-5 that just aren't eligible for the feature, whereas northbound or other parts of south bound work just fine.
This seems to have been gated to much of the same "approved" roadways we had in previous features for the older enhanced highway assist.
Thankfully, with the latest updates, this geofencing for lane change on command is mostly removed. There does seem to be proximity gating to areas such as stoplights, probably because they don't want the vehicle trying to do a lane change midway through an intersection for safety and legality.
In practice though, this should mean that on surface streets if you have two lane lines that are marked, you should in theory be able to initiate a lane change just about anywhere.
I very much look forward to dropping the geofenced restriction!
Rivian Assistant got a few nice quality of life upgrades, including improved local charging knowledge and more options related to user memory.
We're still waiting to see which release includes Rivian Assistant for R2 though, hopefully it will be soon since as of today I will have an R2 :-)
Here are two solid videos showing the software changes for both platforms from owners who were in the earliest waves:
Rivian R2 running 2026.24 from Tyrone Holland
Rivian R1S running 2026.23 from Jose Castillo
Hardware
Today is the day of mixed emotions.
To start, I'm trading in my Gen2 Rivian R1T Dual-Max. It's one of the best vehicles I've ever owned, but rationally it makes sense to give it up.
The R1T is a really special vehicle that nothing else on the road can really match as a total package. But there are things that are fairly specific to this particular R1T that pushed me to trade it in.
I really hope to be back in another R1T once Gen3 launches, but for now it's time to let it go even though it will be sorely missed.
As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, a component of the decision to move on from this particular truck has to do with what's happening today.
By the time you're reading this I will have already taken delivery today of my Catalina Cove R2 with 20" Black Sand All-Terrain Wheels.
As sad as I am to lose the functionality of a truck, I'm about as equally excited to gave a daily driver that is easier to park, around 2,000 pounds lighter, and just an absolute blast to drive as a nimble rocket with decent ground clearance.
I'm hoping to put together a "what to expect for your delivery" video, since I know many of you will be first time EV owners.
Rivian does things a bit differently, as we handled the vast majority of our paperwork online and even signed documents using a video based notary.
The process is quick and easy though, with support from the Rivian staff at every step of the way.
We are getting more and more data points for R2 range after the community reaction to the series of speed tests done by Out of Spec.
There are two industry publications that I think capture the overall takeaway well about Rivian R2, which is essentially...
Range is not quite as good as expected, but it will still be more than fine.
This video from Edmunds shows a combined cycle range of 305 miles, which is fewer miles from a bigger battery than Model Y.
Similarly, we had some testing from Motortrend that follows what I would argue is the most representative of customer behavior. They ran the vehicle down to 5% state of charge before plugging in, and then did math to get the "full" range.
Most of these tests have a common theme though that first-time EV buyers are reacting to that misses the key anxiety.
EPA ratings are not intended to give you an idea of "max highway range", which is a fundamental issue with the way the EPA tests electric vehicles.
AND
The Rivian R2 underperforms it's peers in terms of how observed range compares with other vehicles that have undergone similar EPA ratings.
Both of these can be true at the same time, and the reality is that the long distance range of R2 appears to be about on par with the previous generation Tesla Model Y.
That's not stellar, but it's also shouldn't be a deal breaker for 99% of buyers out there. In real world use, the R2 should be admirable in its road trip performance, thanks in large part to sustained DC fast charging performance.
In mixed use, especially when you have access to a home charger, any difference in efficiencies won't even register for most owners.
I do wish that they had found a way to get a road trip range closer to 300 miles instead of mid to upper-mid 200's (250-270 seems to be the range), but that 10% or so miss isn't going to be miserable to actually live with.
To help prove this point, I still plan to road trip my R2 so I can collect first hand experience on how much difference this really makes and hopefully meet a number of you out on the road while doing so.
Community
It looks like we've added a good chunk of new subscribers here on the newsletter in the past month, and many of you will be first time EV owners.
Getting into an electric vehicle can feel intimidating at first, but if you ask most EV owners today, they'd quickly tell you they're never going back.
I wanted to take this opportunity to encourage you to check out your local Rivian club as a way to not only learn more about your vehicle, but pick up new skills so you can get out there and do more with your EV than you thought possible.
There are many clubs available all across America, and I'm lucky enough to be in close proximity to the Emerald City Rivian Club.
You can see where your nearest club is here. I hope to see you out there!
Here's a fun clip from @KarenWhitworth , who's an active Emerald City Rivian Club Member ripping in her R2 at the Dunes.
Worth Checking Out - VION
With my planned R2 summer road trip coming up now that I'm officially taking delivery, I'm mindful of the heat we've had in our R1 vehicles.
Thankfully, VION is far along in development for an R2 shade and I'll be getting one of the first units to stress test on the road trip.
While sometimes it's awesome to have an open cabin feel, getting some reprieve along with the huge benefit for a cabin that cools down dramatically faster with quieter HVAC operation is a welcome change on hot days.
VION now has an update to their popular R1S kit that can perfectly fit the 3rd row as well now, and a gray version for light interiors.
As a subscriber to the Rivian Recap, you can get 10% off anything site wide with code "TRAVIS", on what is already a stellar product for the price.
Check out their sunshades, carbon activated air filters, and more:
VION Sunshade // VION Air Filters
My thanks to VION for helping make this newsletter possible.
Latest Deals
We are still waiting for news on 2027 versions of R1S and R1T, and it looks like Rivian has mostly extended and slightly tweaked their offers for now.
Here's what's sticking out for deals this week:
Dual Large w/Performance ($3k Lease) [Lease vs Buy Example]
2026 R1S Dual-Large w/Performance (Premium Audio)
2026 R1T Dual-Large w/Performance (Premium Audio, Utility V2 Tonneau)
Tri Max ($3k Lease or 0.99% for 60 months) [Lease vs Buy Example]
All R1 referrals also get 3 months of free charging on the Rivian Adventure Network, as well as some shop credits (varies by trim).
I hope enjoyed this week's edition of the Rivian Recap. Let me know what you'd like to see more of in future editions!
Even if you just want to say hi, hit reply – I'd love to get to know you 👋
Stay curious ✌️,
Travis Ketchum
P.S. Thinking about buying a new Rivian?
Make sure you use a referral code. A friend, a neighbor, or someone who has helped you along the way.
Here's mine: TRAVIS4699411
P.P.S. Here are some tools and resources you may find useful: