Why are we paying for Connect +?

[NY_Rob]

Ooof we don't get traffic info without the subscription?

Rivian has been kind of unclear about that, they said navigation will still work without the subscription, but they did not mention anything regarding live traffic.

Some here have speculated that if we don't subscribe to Driver+ Rivian will still keep (and pay for out of their own pockets) some sort of limited LTE plan for data-mining purposes? My opinion is that Rivian will not be willing to pay for any LTE connectivity if we don't pay for the Driver+ sub. Of course they have enabled tethering to our phones, so connectivity to the vehicle will be through our phones. I will be very interested to see just what works and what doesn't work if we don't subscribe to Driver+.

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[Coj]

Connect+ is a lot more than just 'free connection with music.'

If you are not interested in the Connect+ service, I recommend connecting via Bluetooth and streaming your music that way.

You mentioned Tesla, which also has a monthly subscription for premium services, called Premium Connectivity.

What is Connect+?
Connect+ brings media, connectivity and live security to your Rivian with features like:

• Apple Music and Audible apps integrated into the vehicle Center Display
• In-vehicle hotspot
• Satellite Images
• Alexa Connected commands
• Data to access music streaming apps like Apple Music, Audible, Spotify, Tidal and TuneIn
• Google Cast and YouTube (coming soon)
• Gear Guard Live Cam (coming later this year)

The 60-day trial of Connect+ for all existing Rivian owners will begin August 13, 2024. For anyone who takes delivery after that date, your trial will begin on the date of your delivery.

Connect+ will cost $14.99 per month ($19.99 CAD) or $149.99 per year ($199.99 CAD). You'll be notified towards the end of your trial and be able to sign up via the Rivian app, in-vehicle infotainment, and your Account Page.


Note: all Rivian vehicles continue to come with standard connectivity features such as:

• Regular over-the-air software updates
• Live navigation
• Remote vehicle commands
• Phone as a key
• Alexa Basic (for vehicle commands)
• Tethering (connecting the vehicle to an external Wi-Fi network or phone hotspot)

Nice thanks !

 

[moosetags]

This extra service premium stuff is not new. GM has had its On Star system for almost 30 years. GM has always charged for its On Star service, but in 2025 they are changing it. Starting in 2025, GM will provide On Star on new GM vehicles at no additional cost for eight years.

It looks like GM is going one way and Rivian is going the other. I intend to subscribe to Rivian's Connect + to be able to take advantage of all available features. We have really gotten into the EV stuff to the point we are considering trading our Silveado Duramax in on a new Silverado EV. We are even toying with the Idea on buying a Micolino when they become available in the United States.

Brian

 

[mkg3]

No offense intended, but I don’t think the majority of Rivian owners are too worried about $5.

Rivian’s higher price comes with specific features like off-road mapping and in-car Wi-Fi. Tesla’s subscription does not include a hotspot, which is worth way more than $5/mo. relative to other hotspot services.

I don't understand this statement why tethering is worth way more than $5/mo.

I have tethering as a part of the service on my cell, along with unlimited data. Why is tethering important service to have from Rivian??

I'll probably sign up for the annual service and really not give it another thought about it so my question is not about is it worth it. It really is about why this one thing (tethering)??

 

[TollKeeper]

This might not be the correct place.. But I got to ask a couple questions..

If I decide to not buy into the Connect+, and instead use tethering, is there anything that will not work?

Will I be able to choose the option of where to download vehicle specific updates? Like download at home connected to my home Wi-Fi, and not use my tethering?

 

[godfodder0901]

This might not be the correct place.. But I got to ask a couple questions..

If I decide to not buy into the Connect+, and instead use tethering, is there anything that will not work?

Will I be able to choose the option of where to download vehicle specific updates? Like download at home connected to my home Wi-Fi, and not use my tethering?

We don't really know what won't work, but speculation is traffic/satellite view on maps, and remote Gear Guard video.

As far as downloads, you truck won't really be able to differentiate what kind of Wi-Fi connection it is (home vs. tether) so this would need to be restricted on your phone/tethering device. Theoretically, Rivian could allow you to designate home vs tether based on SSID, but I wouldn't expect this to happen.

 

[zapp]

Got my R1T 2+ years ago and now stating to pay 150 USD per year for the connectivity doesn't bother me at all.
If it is not worth it for some folks, don't do it. It won't brick your vehicle

High electricity prices are the real issue with EV ownership imho..

 

[mkg3]

Exactly, “as part of the service.” You are paying a decent sum of money for your cell service, which includes a hotspot. This is the same concept. What I’m referring to is the cost of buying another external hotspot device, which will always be more than $5/mo.

Oh okay, so it's a tradeoff between the cost of tethering between telco and Connect+.

Btw, my unlimited data service with tethering is $40/mo so its not clear if its more than $5/mo just for tethering feature (since it's not broken out by item).

 

[Wispitgood]

You still have FM radio and a Bluetooth connection to stream music from your phone that will remain free. BTW, Rivian is not trying to create loyalty like Tesla. RJ is creating a company actually trying to better the world not just get rich.

I will gladly pay the 149 a year fee as one, it will help Rivian succeed with a steady line of income as sales fluxuate, and two it is what all new cars makers are doing, Rivian didn't invented this new revenue.

As far as the statement of Tesla charging, it is $6,000 add in for enhanced driving and $15,000 for Full Self Driving. My opinion the current Musk story is a story of wealth corrupting ones values. He started out to help solve global warming with Tesla and now he endorses the most global warming denier group ever, and of course their leader DT. My third reason for ordering my first Rivian last Sunday, is the values of RJ Scaringe for the American engineering field and global warming fight. Wish I was younger, designing the software and programming these cars has to be such a great experience. I'm retired after 48 years in IT!

Buying a Rivian or EV isn't for saving money, driving 21st century vehicle with such technology, or not just for helping the environment, buying a Rivian in my opinion should also be to be part of helping Rivian be successful. That help assures success.of our investment, and helps meet the goals of our values towards a better world for our descendents.

$149 a year? That is a good price. Cadillac EV subscription is $300 a year, Ford Blue Cruise is $800 a year, Ford Sync is $80 a year, Chevy has Super Cruise at $250 a year but incredibly Chevy has broken other services into six pieces with 6 separate subscriptions running from $180 to $360 a year.

If you subscribed to every subscription on a Chevy EV, it would come to $1,750 a year!

 

[SoylentGreen]

I paid $80 for the Ford Sync. It added real time traffic and a weather map. That was about it. It made no sense and I regretted the waste of money, especially with car play available. Connect+ seems like a much better option with far more features.

 

[Kidentist]

$15 says the troll ends up paying for Connect +........... ?

 

[azbill]

Rivian’s Driver+ also functions on all roads, but only the highway assist can be used on mapped roads. Same as BlueCruise. I know it’s personal preference, but I think Driver+ is far, far superior to Ford’s basic offerings and BlueCruise as well. BC drove me crazy with the eye nanny having constant false alerts that made it virtually unusable for me. And without BC, the basic lane keep assist had severe ping-pong and probably would have gotten the cops called because it would look like I was driving drunk. Again, I know some people think BC and Ford’s offering was great, but I absolutely hated it.

My hands on BlueCruise in the Mach E does not ping-pong at all, and I certainly consider it better than the D+, because it works on all roads. I also have no issues with the eye camera in hands off mode.

I did have a Mach E rental car once and it did not have hands free at all. The lane keeping on it did have some ping-ponging, not sure why.

 

[moosetags]

I have signed up for the first year of Connect+. I want the features that it offers. I want to experience the full EV experience. The cost of Connect+ for a year is less than dinner for two a a nice restaurant. I also want to see Rivian succeed. It's sometimes a tough road, but I think they just might make it. Ford was a new American start-up like this in 1903. It was a hard fight for Ford to make it to 1908 when he started to make some money with the Model T. We are kind of like the early Model T owners, experiencing the dawn of a new technology.

Brian

 

[godfodder0901]

My hands on BlueCruise in the Mach E does not ping-pong at all, and I certainly consider it better than the D+, because it works on all roads. I also have no issues with the eye camera in hands off mode.

I did have a Mach E rental car once and it did not have hands free at all. The lane keeping on it did have some ping-ponging, not sure why.

I know it's semantics, but to avoid confusion for new owners it should be pointed out that Driver+ does work on all roads, specifically the Adaptive Cruise Control feature. Highway Assist is just the Driver+ feature many people just call Driver+.

 

[TollKeeper]

I know it's semantics, but to avoid confusion for new owners it should be pointed out that Driver+ does work on all roads, specifically the Adaptive Cruise Control feature. Highway Assist is just the Driver+ feature many people just call Driver+.

I think these are 2 separate things.. But similar in use practice.

When I recently took my R1 to the dealer for issues related to the update from August, they referred to the non-mapped roads as ADAS (adaptive cruise), and mapped roads as Driver+, and this is even how they wrote it down on the service request.

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