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As of March 19, 2025, Rivian has begun pushing the 2026.31 software update to its R1S and R1T electric vehicles, delivering the same RivianOS 2 interface that debuted on the smaller R2. This move mirrors smartphone software rollouts, letting existing owners enjoy a refreshed look, smarter controls, and new features without buying a new vehicle. However, not every R1 will get the full experience—hardware differences between first-gen and second-gen R1s, plus the newer R2, create a tiered feature set.
The update centers on a redesigned interface that dynamically adjusts based on driver activity. For example, when you’re navigating, the center screen can prioritize map controls, while media playback is minimized. The “Settings 2” menu has been rebuilt with contextual shortcuts and a search function—handy when you can’t recall where a specific toggle lives. These changes are common across all Rivian models, so the core interaction logic is consistent whether you’re in an R1 or an R2.
Real-time route alerts powered by Google Maps now appear in the R1’s navigation. Drivers receive official and crowd-sourced warnings about speed cameras, police presence, accidents, and road hazards. This is a feature that R2 owners already had, and it’s finally reaching older models. For those who subscribe to Rivian’s Connect+ service (currently $15/month), the update adds a dedicated weather app with live conditions and the ability to start, view, and update a trip live from the Rivian smartphone app. These subscription-gated features align with a broader industry trend: automakers are increasingly treating software as a recurring revenue stream.
The AI voice assistant has also been upgraded. On first-gen R1s, the assistant relies on a cloud-based connection for natural language processing. On second-gen R1s and the R2, a more powerful onboard computer allows the assistant to work partially offline, responding faster to commands like “set climate to 72” or “open the frunk.” Rivian has separately stated that the R2’s integrated infotainment chip can run the entire assistant offline, handling complex queries without a cellular signal. This hardware gap is a direct consequence of the chipset evolution: first-gen R1s use Nvidia Tegra processors, while second-gen R1s and R2s use Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms with dedicated AI accelerators.
Graphics fidelity is another differentiator. The R2 and second-gen R1 render vehicle animations using Unreal Engine 5, enabling 3-D models with realistic lighting and reflections. The original R1s stick with Unreal Engine 4, which produces flatter, less detailed visuals. Rivian engineers chose to keep UE4 on first-gen hardware to ensure smooth performance on the older display system. The layout and design language remain identical, so the UI structure looks the same across all versions—just the visual polish differs.
Steering-wheel controls also diverge. R1 vehicles use separate thumbwheels and physical buttons to manage audio, cruise control, and instrument cluster displays. The R2 introduced Haptic Halo Wheels—multifunction scroll wheels with haptic feedback that can be pushed, pulled, tilted, or rotated. This gives R2 drivers more ways
