Experience continues to expand in the off-road realm after logging 20,000 miles in a Rivian R1T Max Pack, maintaining optimal performance even at 12,000 feet above sea level, showing no power drop.
The Rivian R1T, the electric adventure vehicle known for its off-road capabilities, has received a series of over-the-air updates that have significantly improved its performance, efficiency, and overall user experience.
These updates have addressed various aspects of the vehicle, from driver assistance and safety to battery and charging, infotainment system, and vehicle hardware. The 2025.26 update, for instance, has boosted driver assistance on Gen 2 models, improving reaction speed and detection even in adverse conditions. Steering has been refined in Sport and Off-Road modes, providing sharper cornering and reduced kickback on rough terrain.
The infotainment system has seen a "massive improvement" with smoother app operation, better navigation responsiveness, and successful fixes to glitches like Apple Music login issues. Alexa now works with YouTube, and the media stability is significantly improved. Multiple reboots appear to stabilize the system effectively.
Updates have also introduced faster DC fast charging across all battery packs and improved battery conditioning availability at low charge states. The R1T has switched to a lithium-iron-phosphate battery chemistry for longer-lasting power with a stable range of about 330 miles with the large pack.
The newer Tri-Motor R1T accelerates to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, outperforming many supercars while maintaining off-road capability. Rivian has streamlined wiring, reduced control modules dramatically, and introduced an all-new drive unit to make the truck more reliable and sharper to drive. Suspension tweaks smooth rough roads without sacrificing handling.
Other improvements include quicker climate control cooldown, enhanced driver display visuals, a redesigned Energy app with detailed usage insights and preconditioning, better Gear Guard video reliability, and a new vehicle restart option in Settings.
These systematic updates have made the Rivian R1T more powerful, reliable, and enjoyable across daily driving and rugged off-road adventures. One Rivian R1T owner has logged over 18,000 miles in 9 months, saving 960 gallons of gas, but doubling their electric bill to ~$250/month. Another Reddit user, Gingerbeardman29, has travelled over 20,000 miles in 18 months with a Rivian R1T, Dual Motor Performance with the Max Pack battery.
Despite some reported issues such as dead 110V inverters and service delays, many owners are already considering purchasing the brand's future products, specifically the R3X. However, concerns have been raised about the auto-mode ventilation system in the Rivian R1T, suggesting that Rivian hasn't prioritized air-quality control on long drives.
Noah Washington, an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, has covered the latest news in the automotive industry and conducted reviews on the latest cars. With 15 years of experience in the industry, he has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. Washington has praised the Rivian R1T for its performance and off-road capabilities, but emphasizes the need for continuous improvements in areas like air-quality control and service response times.
In conclusion, the Rivian R1T continues to evolve with continuous updates and improvements, making it a formidable player in the electric vehicle market.
- The Rivian R1T, a popular electric vehicle in the automotive industry, has undergone a series of updates that have enhanced its performance, efficiency, and user experience in areas like driver assistance, infotainment system, and battery management.
- The upgrades have not only improved the vehicle's off-road capabilities but also addressed issues such as smoother app operation, better navigation responsiveness, and faster DC fast charging across all battery packs.
- Rivian has also focused on streamlining wiring, reducing control modules, and introducing new drive units to make the truck more reliable and sharper to drive on various terrains.
- Despite some reported issues and concerns regarding air-quality control and service response times, the Rivian R1T continues to be a formidable player in the electric vehicle market due to its powerful performance and off-road capabilities.
