Rivian vehicles come with standard connectivity features, but as of June 6th, 2024, Rivian began to offer Connect+, a premium connectivity package.
Connect+ offers a wide range of additional connectivity features for Rivian owners, so let’s take a look at what the standard connectivity offers, and what Connect+ brings to the table.
Rivian offers a 60-day trial of Connect+ for existing owners and to new R1T and R1S owners.
Standard Connectivity
Standard Connectivity comes with a good set of basic features, including regular over-the-air (OTA) updates when connected to WiFi. In addition, it brings live navigation (including traffic-based routing), remote vehicle commands via the Rivian app, phone as-a-key functionality, Alexa (for vehicle commands) and the ability to tether your vehicle to a WiFi hotspot.
For tethering – you can connect to any external Wi-Fi network – including your cellphone’s hotspot or the WiFi network from something like Starlink to get internet access while you’re on the go.
Unless you’re connected to WiFi or a hotspot, you won’t be able to stream music in your vehicle
Connect+ Pricing
Connect+ will cost $14.99 USD per month or $19.99 CAD per month. It is also available as an annual package, at $149.99 USD per year, or $199.99 CAD per year – a discount of 2 months if you purchase annually.
You can sign up for Connect+ through the vehicle infotainment system, through the Rivian App, or by logging into your Rivian account on their website.
Connect+
Connect+ brings various additional features – including a vehicle hotspot for your other devices. This lets you easily stream video on iPads and other devices seamlessly and without any data limits.
In addition, satellite imagery for navigation is also added, improving the basic maps user interface that’s already available as part of Standard Connectivity. Alexa also gets an improvement – you can now use Alexa Connected commands to influence things outside the vehicle, such as opening your garage door or changing your home’s temperature.
Connect+ also brings you data access to streaming – including Spotify, Apple Music, Audible, Tidal, and TuneIn Internet Radio. In a future update, Rivian will also add Google Cast support and a native YouTube app to stream videos.
Another upcoming big feature will be the Gear Guard Live Cam which will allow you to view all the cameras from your Rivian vehicle while Gear Guard is active. Rivian intends to bring this feature to all vehicles toward the end of 2024.
Difference Between Standard Connectivity & Connect+
Feature
Standard
Wi-Fi / HotSpot
Connect+
OTA Updates
X
X
X
Live Navigation
X
X
X
Remote Commands
X
X
X
Phone Key
X
X
X
Alexa Vehicle
X
X
X
Streaming Media*
X
X
In-Vehicle Hotspot
X
Satellite Imagery
X
Alexa Connected
X
Google Cast
X
Gear Guard Live Cam**
(?)
X
* Streaming Media support includes Spotify, Audible, Apple Music, Tidal, and TuneIn currently. YouTube support is coming later in 2024.
** Gear Guard Live Cam may be accessible if the vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi. We’re waiting for Rivian to confirm this feature.
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Rivian’s momentum toward its most important launch ever has hit a major roadblock. Just as the company was ramping up production for the highly anticipated R2 midsize SUV, a severe storm system tore through Normal, Illinois, leaving significant damage at the manufacturing facility.
The news first broke on Reddit, where images appeared to show a caved-in roof at "Building 2" — the specific area of the plant dedicated to the R2 line. While the Midwest is no stranger to spring storms, the timing for Rivian couldn't be worse, as the facility was winding up for mass-market deliveries.
The R2 Launch Timeline at Risk
The R2 is fundamentally the "make or break" vehicle for Rivian. Before the storm hit, the company was on track to begin deliveries of the Performance Launch Package later this spring. Following that, a Premium trim was slated for late 2026, with the Standard Long Range and the "mythical" $45,000 Standard variant expected to follow in 2027.
This setback is especially painful because Rivian had recently beaten its Q1 delivery estimates, showing real operational strength. Now, however, it remains unknown exactly how much damage the storm caused or how it will shift the production calendar. Even if Rivian can shuffle its assembly processes to spare spaces elsewhere in the massive Normal facility, a caved-in roof suggests structural and equipment issues that can’t be fixed overnight.
Assessing the Potential Damage
While we wait for an official "all clear" from Rivian, the physical risks to a high-tech factory after a roof collapse are numerous. Beyond the obvious structural integrity questions, there is the threat of water damage to sensitive robotics and the risk of exposed electrical or gas lines.
Reddit: /u/QuickChicken2000
For a line that relies on advanced specifications and precise tuning, any moisture in the machinery can lead to long-term reliability problems if not addressed perfectly. It is a waiting game now to see if the Performance units scheduled for this spring will actually make it to customers' driveways on time.
A Momentary Pause in Progress
Rivian has proven itself to be resilient in the past, but the R2 is a high-volume play that requires every part of the factory to work in lockstep. This storm has introduced a new layer of execution risk just as the company was entering its most critical growth phase.
Whether this is a minor speed bump or a major delay will depend on what the inspectors find once they can safely enter Building 2. For the thousands of reservation holders waiting for their R2, all eyes are now on Normal, Illinois, as the company works to get its "Future of Adventure" back on the assembly line.
As Rivian prepares for its biggest production ramp yet, the company is quietly building out the executive team needed to support a massive influx of new owners. A recent move to fill two high-level leadership positions signals that major updates are on the horizon for both Rivian Insurance and Rivian Care, the company’s in-house protection programs.
The expansion was first highlighted by Rivian enthusiast Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe), who shared a call for talent from Mike Slattery, Rivian’s Head of Insurance. Slattery’s announcement makes it clear that the company is looking to move beyond "business as usual" by leveraging its connected vehicle platform to rethink how insurance and warranties work.
Building a "High-Impact" Support Engine
The first of the two roles, the Sr. Program Operations Lead for Rivian Care, will serve as the "operational engine" behind the company’s vehicle protection products. This includes scaling high-impact programs like service contracts, windshield protection, and wheel and tire plans across multiple markets.
Currently, Rivian — whose name reflects a focus on the adventurous spirit of the Indian River — offers Rivian Care as a pilot program powered by Assurant. It is designed to protect vehicles like the R1T and R1S beyond their standard manufacturer’s warranty, covering critical components like the high-voltage battery and drivetrain. With a dedicated operations lead now joining the team, it’s likely that this pilot phase is nearing an end in favor of a more robust, permanent program.
The Future of Connected Insurance
The second position is an Insurance Agency Leader based on the ground at Rivian’s manufacturing hub in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Slattery noted that this leader will be tasked with driving profitability while keeping the owner experience central, all while "leveraging vehicle intelligence to fundamentally change how vehicle protection products actually work!"
Rivian Insurance is already a licensed agency available in all 50 U.S. states, but its potential is only just being tapped. Much like Tesla Insurance, which recently released its Safety Score 3.0 to further reward drivers who use the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, Rivian is looking to use data-driven rates via its Driver+ system. By using the vehicle’s internal intelligence, Rivian can offer custom policies tailored to the exact risk profile of its drivers, making the transition from R1 to the mass market much smoother.
A mass-market vehicle brings a much broader audience, many of whom will expect first-party extended warranties and competitive insurance rates right out of the box. By scaling these leadership roles now, Rivian is ensuring it has the "operational engine" ready to handle tens of thousands of new R2 owners. This proactive hiring suggests that when the R2 configurator opens later this year, it will likely be accompanied by a more integrated and transparent suite of protection products than ever before.
