Sirius XM is delivered over LTE, not satellite.

[GreenJohn42]

I was really surprised about this. I thought the whole point of XM radio was getting music when out of cell coverage. Now with it on LTE it's not really any more reliable than using Spotify.

And it also requires connect + to use.

Sponsored

 

[MountainBikeDude]

It's been known for some time that rivian vehicles don't have the satellite receivers needed. It was always going to be an LTE online version.

In my last vehicle, XM was a nice to have, but would typically lose signal more than my phone would. Too many natural barriers, mountains and tall trees impeding it's signal.

 

[cbrcanuck]

It's been known for some time that rivian vehicles don't have the satellite receivers needed. It was always going to be an LTE online version.

In my last vehicle, XM was a nice to have, but would typically lose signal more than my phone would. Too many natural barriers, mountains and tall trees impeding it's signal.

Same - especially in and around the playgrounds in BC

 

[350Industrial]

I can live with the LTE connectivity, but have you listened to the sound quality of the Sirius app? Sounds like it's trying to convey music over the two soup cans connected by a string method.

 

[NY_Rob]

I was really surprised about this. I thought the whole point of XM radio was getting music when out of cell coverage. Now with it on LTE it's not really any more reliable than using Spotify.

And it also requires connect + to use.

You can run the SXM app on your phone and it will play via BT through your vehicle's audio system. No Connect + subscription needed.

 

[Erik+]

seems like something you would be able to research and know prior to making a vehicle purchase.

 

[GreenJohn42]

seems like something you would be able to research and know prior to making a vehicle purchase.

I don't use Sirius XM, I saw it got added in the latest update and was looking into it. I could see the use case if it had coverage that the LTE based system did not but I'm struggling to find the value in it. This post is a PSA and also me being curious about it.

I didn't care about this when I bought the car. I really don't care much now, I'm just curious.

 

[GreenJohn42]

You can run the SXM app on your phone and it will play via BT through your vehicle's audio system. No Connect + subscription needed.

Would this use the XM bands to deliver radio to the phone? Or still doesn't work when out of LTE range?

 

[NY_Rob]

Would this use the XM bands to deliver radio to the phone? Or still doesn't work when out of LTE range?

Completely terrestrial based, relies on cell connectivity to the nearest tower. Once you are out of cell coverage, no more SXM from your phone.

 

[COdogman]

 

[captainjp]

I can live with the LTE connectivity, but have you listened to the sound quality of the Sirius app? Sounds like it's trying to convey music over the two soup cans connected by a string method.

Disagree. My experience with sound quality is quite the opposite with SXM via native Rivian app

 

[andrewgrhogg]

The reasons that the SXM app is of no value is the same as why all the other things are of no value in Connect plus. Car manufacturers really need to stop trying to line their pockets with subscriptions that offer limited real world value, especially to the broader market that dont have the money to shell out for things like Connect+ when they're already paying for a cell phone across 4 phones, unlimited data on those, have hotspot capability on those phones, have chosen their provider based on their own local coverage, and could just as easily connect the car to their phone and get all the same internet access - you know for all the money they are already paying for their 5G connection....

 

[COdogman]

The reasons that the SXM app is of no value is the same as why all the other things are of no value in Connect plus. Car manufacturers really need to stop trying to line their pockets with subscriptions that offer limited real world value, especially to the broader market that dont have the money to shell out for things like Connect+ when they're already paying for a cell phone across 4 phones, unlimited data on those, have hotspot capability on those phones, have chosen their provider based on their own local coverage, and could just as easily connect the car to their phone and get all the same internet access - you know for all the money they are already paying for their 5G connection....

You do know it's OPTIONAL to pay for Connect+, right?

 

[Zoidz]

The reasons that the SXM app is of no value is the same as why all the other things are of no value in Connect plus. Car manufacturers really need to stop trying to line their pockets with subscriptions that offer limited real world value, especially to the broader market that dont have the money to shell out for things like Connect+ when they're already paying for a cell phone across 4 phones, unlimited data on those, have hotspot capability on those phones, have chosen their provider based on their own local coverage, and could just as easily connect the car to their phone and get all the same internet access - you know for all the money they are already paying for their 5G connection....

No, car manufacturers don't need to stop. Some consumers prefer a single source solution, and that should not be abandoned just to satisfy people who don't want it. The consumer simply needs to make their own choice as to their budget and features they want or don't want.

 

[godfodder0901]

The reasons that the SXM app is of no value is the same as why all the other things are of no value in Connect plus. Car manufacturers really need to stop trying to line their pockets with subscriptions that offer limited real world value, especially to the broader market that dont have the money to shell out for things like Connect+ when they're already paying for a cell phone across 4 phones, unlimited data on those, have hotspot capability on those phones, have chosen their provider based on their own local coverage, and could just as easily connect the car to their phone and get all the same internet access - you know for all the money they are already paying for their 5G connection....

As covered many times, Connect+ isn't right for everyone... but it's FAR from a money grab. Services that are paywalled are services that cost Rivian money to offer, and it's much cheaper than you would pay from other providers. Not interested in Connect+ because you are paying for a phone hotspot already? Cool, tether your truck to your phone and use its hotspot... No Connect+ needed.

Sponsored