Rivian owners are getting a huge upgrade to their navigation system with the integration of Google Maps. This update is rolling out to all Rivian owners starting today, so make sure to check your system settings in your car before taking off.
One of the biggest benefits of this partnership is the fresh routes and traffic data you’ll be getting. No matter where you’re headed, the system will use up-to-date traffic information to find you the fastest route, keep your estimated arrival time accurate, and even reroute you if a quicker option pops up during your drive. Plus, you’ll stay informed about road disruptions in real-time, whether it’s a lane closure for construction or an accident, thanks to reports from the Google Maps community.
Beyond just getting you there faster, the new system also gives you more room to explore. You can now tap on points of interest directly on the map to get more detailed information, like hours, ratings, and contact info. This builds on Rivian’s existing search experience, which already uses Google Maps' vast database of over 250 million places worldwide. For those who love to scout out their surroundings, satellite imagery from Google Maps is now integrated, letting you easily orient yourself in a city to find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
The updated navigation, both in your vehicle and in the Rivian Mobile app, will keep the specialized Rivian EV functionality features. You’ll still get “Range on Arrival” estimates that are specific to your vehicle and learn as you drive, even factoring in accessories, gear, or trailers. You can even choose how you view your range from percentage, distance, or both.
Planning charging stops is also getting an upgrade. Rivian is carefully curating charging stops added to your trips, aiming for faster trips and better chargers. You’ll also be able to set special preferences for charging networks and your desired range on arrival. Real-time data for charging networks compatible with your Rivian, including the Rivian Adventure Network and Tesla Superchargers, will be readily available.
What’s cool is that there’s even a Charging Score, which is a unique score for individual charging sites based on plug-in data from other Rivian vehicles. This gives you a real-time rundown on how reliable a charging site is and automatically includes the top-scoring chargers on your trips.
Alongside these functional improvements, the map itself is getting a fresh look, using topography and colors to show green parks and deep blue lakes and oceans. The design has also been updated for better glanceability and easier access to information.
The Rivian Mobile app is also benefiting from all these updates. You’ll find new-to-mobile features like place photos, descriptions, and satellite view (if you have aConnect+ subscription), plus the ability to see traffic and traffic incidents. you may still share destinations and trips from the app to your vehicle to kick off your drive, and now you can even use the “share” function from Google Maps and other mapping apps, texts, and links to send destinations to your Rivian.
This new Google Maps integration is rolling out via an over-the-air update to every R1S SUV and R1T pickup sold to date, and new models will come with it pre-equipped. It’s interesting to see how well the integration works, and hopefully, more manufacturers will work with mapmakers to add convenience to GPS travel.
