Cars & transport · electric car
Rivian electric vehicle
Recommended for software integration, a polished interface and well-designed vehicles. Common caveat: many controls sit on the screen and CarPlay is missing.
Summarized from 144 comments.
Recommended for software integration, a polished interface and well-designed vehicles. Common caveat: many controls sit on the screen and CarPlay is missing.
- recommend
- 73
- criticize
- 54
- months recommended
- 12 of 13
Why people love it
Strong software and hardware integration · 5
the level of software-hardware integration you experience in a Rivian or Tesla is something that CarPlay just can't compete with
Jul 2026 · commentA well made car software solution, like the rivians(mostly), is a better experience overall imho.
Feb 2026 · commentThe exceptions, of course, are Rivian and Tesla, who actually make first-class software.
Jul 2026 · commentAttractive, well-designed vehicles · 4
I love everything about all of the vehicles they design (interior, shape, etc) except the headlights
Nov 2025 · commentthe headlamp and grille shape is distinctively "happy" instead of "aggressive"
Sep 2026 · commentGreat to have a vehicle where the actual users are obviously thought of
Apr 2026 · commentTesla-comparable software quality · 3
The exceptions, of course, are Rivian and Tesla, who actually make first-class software.
Jul 2026 · commentRivian seems to still have a lot of the magic that Tesla had.
Nov 2025 · commentIt's Rivian and Tesla, and it's not even close for the rest.
Mar 2026 · commentElegant, improving user interface · 2
I haven't driven a rivian but I've heard their UI is comparable to Tesla.
Jul 2026 · commentvery elegant and well designed UI that keeps getting better
Jul 2026 · comment
What people warn about
No CarPlay or Apple integration · 3
Google Maps, the lack of CarPlay, and the lack of amber turn signals turned me away from Rivian
Sep 2026 · commentIt would cost Rivian nothing to allow Apple (and Android) devices to use the monitor in the car as a second screen
Dec 2025 · commentThe Rivian is really testing my resolve to never buy another vehicle without CarPlay.
Jan 2026 · commentControls moved onto the screen · 2
Downside is all the buttons are on a screen. But I've grudgingly decided it's worth it for software upgrades.
Dec 2025 · commentRivians don't even have a physical vent control (to aim the vents). That alone disqualifies it from anything close to "excellent".
Feb 2026 · commentConnectivity fees and telemetry concerns · 3
Rivian is turning away potential lifetime customers because they want to force customers to pay for another cellular data plan and get their cut.
Jul 2026 · commentIt would have been much better to be able to disable telemetry without losing basic functionality such as navigation and safety updates.
Apr 2026 · commentRivian adds a purely performative toggle that makes the car's navigation largely useless
Apr 2026 · commentCostly repairs and reliability problems · 3
an earlier Rivian ... felt legitimately unsafe to drive on the highway and had already spent days at service including a total powertrain shutdown, essentially a lemon
Feb 2026 · commenthis insurance was billed $15,000 in labor and parts to fix it because of the monobody construction
Feb 2026 · commentbuying a Rivian is like buying a BMW in that you know maintenance/repairability will be painful
Oct 2026 · comment
What hackers pick instead
- Tesla vehiclesRecommended for ongoing free software updates, a clean interface and an easy charging network for road trips, though critics fault confusing touchscreen controls and slipping build quality.209recommend
- BYD electric carsAffordable, well-equipped EVs that many see as matching pricier rivals, though they're blocked or tariffed in the US and critics question parts availability and build quality.157recommend
- Ferrari LuceAn electric Ferrari praised for its handsome, retro-modern interior full of physical controls, while many say the generic exterior loses Ferrari's identity and doesn't justify the price.140recommend
- Tesla Model 3Owners praise its reliability, dependable fast charging, polished software and capable Autopilot, while critics cite glaring headlights, mediocre build quality, confusing door releases and repair-hostile design.128recommend
- Nissan LeafRecommended for cheap driving, low running costs and short city trips; the most common caveat is air-cooled batteries that degrade and charge slowly.62recommend
Every quote
The 40 most detailed of 144 comments. Each links to the original.
the level of software-hardware integration you experience in a Rivian or Tesla is something that CarPlay just can't compete with
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
Downside is all the buttons are on a screen. But I've grudgingly decided it's worth it for software upgrades.
Mixed · Dec 2025 · in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free”
I love everything about all of the vehicles they design (interior, shape, etc) except the headlights
Mixed · Nov 2025 · in “Amazon Rivian electric delivery vans arrive in Canada”
A well made car software solution, like the rivians(mostly), is a better experience overall imho.
Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV”
Google Maps, the lack of CarPlay, and the lack of amber turn signals turned me away from Rivian
Mixed · Sep 2026 · in “Rivian's gambit for full autonomy”
The exceptions, of course, are Rivian and Tesla, who actually make first-class software.
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
there are companies with amazing software experience, Rivian, Tesla, Nio, Lucid
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “My car's OTA update broke Android Auto, and it's a indictment of modern software”
the headlamp and grille shape is distinctively "happy" instead of "aggressive"
Recommends · Sep 2026 · in “Rivian's gambit for full autonomy”
I haven't driven a rivian but I've heard their UI is comparable to Tesla.
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
Great to have a vehicle where the actual users are obviously thought of
Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
they either have high quality software offerings like Tesla or Rivian
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ford F-150 Lightning outsold the Cybertruck and was then canceled for poor sales”
Rivian seems to still have a lot of the magic that Tesla had.
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “When Tesla's FSD works well, it gets credit. When it doesn't, you get blamed”
It's Rivian and Tesla, and it's not even close for the rest.
Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Honda is killing its EVs – and any chance of competing in the future”
very elegant and well designed UI that keeps getting better
Mixed · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
I think Rivian has the best-looking line of EVs out there.
Mixed · Dec 2025 · in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free”
an earlier Rivian ... felt legitimately unsafe to drive on the highway and had already spent days at service including a total powertrain shutdown, essentially a lemon
Criticizes · Feb 2026 · in “Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV”
Rivian is turning away potential lifetime customers because they want to force customers to pay for another cellular data plan and get their cut.
Criticizes · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
It would have been much better to be able to disable telemetry without losing basic functionality such as navigation and safety updates.
Criticizes · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
Rivians don't even have a physical vent control (to aim the vents). That alone disqualifies it from anything close to "excellent".
Criticizes · Feb 2026 · in “Luce: First Electric Ferrari. Designed by LoveFrom”
It would cost Rivian nothing to allow Apple (and Android) devices to use the monitor in the car as a second screen
Criticizes · Dec 2025 · in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free”
his insurance was billed $15,000 in labor and parts to fix it because of the monobody construction
Criticizes · Feb 2026 · in “Waymo Seeking About $16B Near $110B Valuation”
buying a Rivian is like buying a BMW in that you know maintenance/repairability will be painful
Criticizes · Oct 2026 · in “I went to Mexico to test-drive the cars Americans can’t buy”
Rivian adds a purely performative toggle that makes the car's navigation largely useless
Criticizes · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
The Rivian is really testing my resolve to never buy another vehicle without CarPlay.
Criticizes · Jan 2026 · in “Volkswagen Brings Back Physical Buttons”
I own a Rivian too, and previously owned a Tesla. While I too have my gripes about the UX on the Rivian
Mixed · Dec 2025 · in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free”
They have received feedback saying some people don't want a connected car, so they make it an option.
Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
I'd much rather side with the company that was willing to allow the user to disable net connectivity
Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
until Rivian, all the other EVs were so bad that it didn't make sense to get the pyrrhic victory
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “Feds Killed Polestar and Spared Volvo. That Should Terrify You”
on Tesla (and Rivian) you can choose and control music while keeping navigation on your screen.
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
TBH as a customer I prefer to know that the latter is protecting me instead of just cameras.
Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free”
I just don't think they have space for those types of features most people don't care about
Mixed · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
Rivians have a class V tow capability. Rent a dump trailer and let it take the damage.
Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Ford kills the All-Electric F-150”
sufficiently impressed me such that I think it's the only option I'd look at for an EV
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Repair a ship’s hull still in the river in -50˚C (2022)”
They take this type of bug very seriously but obviously any platform will have bugs.
Mixed · Sep 2026 · in “Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges”
Rivian isn't cheap of course but they sell well because it's a desirable product.
Mixed · Jan 2026 · in “Ford F-150 Lightning outsold the Cybertruck and was then canceled for poor sales”
a bit scummy that non-Canadians have to make an in-person service appointment
Mixed · Apr 2026 · in “Rivian allows you to disable all internet connectivity”
Your vehicle is great but you’re handicapping yourself with software hubris.
Mixed · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
If Tesla lost as much money per car as Rivian, a model Y would be under 30k.
Mixed · Nov 2025 · in “Tesla Shareholders Approve Elon Musk's $1T Pay Package”
they seem to be moving in that direction, and they're clearly still trying.
Mixed · May 2026 · in “BYD overtakes Tesla and Kia as the best-selling EV brand in key overseas markets”
Rivian refusing to bend the knee to Apple should be met with more respect
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “CarPlay Is Additive”
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