
Rivian R2 in Half-Moon Gray
Anthony Karcz
The extra automobiles evolve, the extra they begin to seem like every other piece of client know-how. Take the newly-launched Rivian R2. Whereas the newest mid-sized SUV from the nascent EV producer was full-featured when clients began taking supply final month, the corporate promised fast-follow options by way of OTA updates.
Rivian delivered a bunch of these options final week with Replace 2026.24.40. This R2-only replace introduced with it a slew of options and requested modifications. It was first observed on July 11 and launched to the general public final Wednesday, July 15.
How To Replace?
Launch notes can be discovered within the Rivian app
Anthony Karcz
For this primary Rivian R2 replace, you’ll have to launch it manually (conveniently, this replace additionally brings with it the choice to schedule in a single day updates within the Rivian app so you will not need to manually replace once more). You will wish to be parked at residence with a dependable sign and have a minimum of 35 miles of cost. The replace will take round 30-40 minutes.
Personally, the dwell exercise widget for the replace gave the impression to be caught at 9% for me for many of the replace. It was solely after I opened the app that I noticed it was really practically accomplished. So do not stress if it seems like issues have stalled out. Verify the app first!
Parked Conveniences
Rear view of the Rivian R2
Anthony Karcz
The largest a part of this replace is the addition of two extremely anticipated options that present Rivian R1S and R1T house owners have loved for years: Pet Consolation and Gear Guard.
Pet Consolation mode will preserve a cushty cabin temperature whilst you’re away out of your car. It additionally shows a message on the display with the data that the mode is energetic in addition to the present cabin temp. Nonetheless, primarily based on real-world exams from one R2 owner whose car failed to achieve the designated temperature after 20 minutes, evidently this characteristic might use a bit extra tweaking. In case you do use it proper now, hold an in depth eye on cabin temp by way of your Rivian app.
Gear Guard is one other massive characteristic for the R2. At its core, this characteristic allows the automated recording of clips to the R2’s inner storage whenever you’re away out of your car and it detects exercise round your car. When exercise is detected, the R2 sounds an alarm and notifies you within the app (sure, you may flip this off at your private home location).
Gear Guard (and Launch Mode) additionally introduced a slew of video options for whenever you’re on the transfer, equivalent to incident recording, which saves clips when a crash or exhausting brake is detected. You may also plug in an exterior exhausting drive (Rivian house owners swear by the Samsung Shield T7) to totally document your drives.
Launch Mode
For these of you that wish to see how shut you will get to the R2’s official 3.6 second 0-60 mph time, now you can interact Launch Mode. Meant to be engaged on shut programs in dry situations, you may entry it from Driver Modes > Sport > Launch. The car will stroll you thru the method (and provide you with a good quantity of warnings as to its utilization). In Launch Mode, you will have entry to most off-the-line acceleration and a better prime velocity. Your 0-60 mph and quarter mile instances may also be recorded. Have in mind, this isn’t thought of a normal drive mode.
Garages
Rivian R2 in my storage
Anthony Karcz
And now for the factor I used to be most enthusiastic about — the storage door opener! My storage is fickle and has determined to cease responding to a few of its remotes currently, leaving me caught opening and shutting it by way of the MyQ app, which is…positive? However what I would like is a button to press in my automobile, ideally one thing that’s built-in into the car itself with out requiring further {hardware}. As quickly as I noticed the Homelink {hardware} included within the R2 proprietor’s guide, I have been trying ahead to this being enabled.
Sure, it’s a minor comfort, but it surely’s well-integrated into the R2 expertise. You pair your storage opener below Settings > Garages, arrange one-touch entry, after which use the appropriate Haptic Halo wheel to open and shut the storage. I’ve a minor situation the place my storage doesn’t all the time wish to shut from the one-touch sign however works if I am going into the Garages menu…however like I stated, my storage door opener is fickle. You may also specify a location vary for the one-touch choice to seem. It’s extremely properly accomplished, general.
High quality of Life and Bug Fixes
This replace additionally features a truthful quantity of fixes and enhancements to the general software program bundle, from improved efficiency for the media apps, to raised responsiveness from the haptic trunk and rear window buttons. There are additionally high quality of life enhancements such because the reducing of the turn-signal quantity (which did not hassle me, however was the primary detrimental factor my spouse stated concerning the R2). The efficiency of the Haptic Halo wheels has additionally been refined…although that is a sufficiently subtle change I have not actually observed a lot of a distinction.
Rivian’s engineers additionally included a repair to an embarrassing situation the place the vent controls have been reversed within the local weather settings…so if you have not been capable of get the vents pointed the place you want them, give it one other go after the replace.
Extra Quickly
Rivian is simply getting began regarding the R2 and its over-the-air software program updates. Further high-profile options which can be anticipated this fall embrace the launch of the Sirius XM media app (hopefully sooner fairly than later, I miss Lithium terribly) and improved Autonomy+. Autonomy+ is anticipated to obtain point-to-point navigation because it will get nearer to Degree 3 self-driving someday later this yr…although it stays to be seen if Rivian can ship on their formidable self-driving timeline.
Ought to I Replace?
Completely. Replace 2026.24.40 brings with it options that Rivian promised whenever you bought your car and provides bug fixes and high quality of life updates that make your R2 safer and extra nice to drive. If you have not already, you may launch the replace out of your Rivian app or the principle display of your car.
In case you’d wish to dig into the main points of this launch, open your Rivian app and click on Updates to get the official launch notes. The R2 proprietor’s information (additionally accessible from the Rivian app) has additionally been up to date to incorporate the brand new options and modifications.
You will discover out extra concerning the R2 on the Rivan site.




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