R2 buyers - will you wait for gen 3 hardware (including LiDAR)?

[mkhuffman]

I am not waiting for the LiDAR I am waiting for the 5x more powerful / future-proofed computer. To me, that is the main value along with the AI edge computing device in vehicle. LiDAR is just icing, the compute power is the cake.

But glad to hear positive review in the UHF. Planning a road trip next week in the Dune!

"future proofed"

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[TexasBob]

"future proofed"

Yes, I thought about that when I typed it. Too true. But let's say something with a meaningfully longer viable lifespan. I've lived through brother Elon's promises of "completely capable of full-self driving" version 2, upgraded version 2.5, v3 and v4 before we bailed. Still has not gotten there. But AI 5 .... you just wait and see!

Bottom line, no such thing as future proof but the Rivian Gen 3 hardware should have sufficient compute based on what was released to operate at L4 autonomy. That is the functional capability I expect from any new vehicle purchase going forward.

 

[elektrode]

"future proofed"

Gen1: “future POOFED!”

 

[Southern R1S]

I'm not buying a Gen 1 of anything from Rivian again, so I'll be waiting for at least Gen 2 of the R2/R3 platform.

I can only speak for myself, but I absolutely love my Gen 1 Quad. Zero issues or complaints, and would do nothing different if I had the benefit of hindsight when making my purchase.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

FWIW, we have here on this site mostly a very loyal group of Rivian apologists (including me most of the time!). If ~80% of the folks here are in a "wait for the upgrade" mindset (me too), you can be sure the typical R2 buyer will do the same. Rivian has a challenge of its own making.

Also, for those who say the average person does not know anything about lidar etc, that may be true but that does not insulate Rivian. The day R2 is released for the media, every R2 review that shows up on YouTube and TikTok is going to ask "should you wait until Rivian upgrades its tech later this year?" And the average person will know. Rivian needs to launch allowing people to buy the package and upgrade later or it will be not good. My 2c.

Keep in mind they did say they wanted to do a slow ramp. It may work out for them if they serve the few who wanted the no lidar as that would follow the slow ramp up idea. I am personally annoyed with lacks of specifics myself. Some people absolutely do not want it, so we'll have to wait and see what they do. Hoping in their Q4 announcement because the lack of clarity is making me a little nervous.

 

[Leesonw]

It is not just Lidar. It is entirely conceivable that there will be other differences, as yet unknown, between the gen2 and gen 3 software. Why would anyone buy a car that has obsolete software on day 1?

 

[SANZC02]

It is not just Lidar. It is entirely conceivable that there will be other differences, as yet unknown, between the gen2 and gen 3 software. Why would anyone buy a car that has obsolete software on day 1?

You are correct it is more than Lidar, they have listed a lot of items involved including higher pixel cameras and a more powerful Rivian designed chip set. Basically that is why it is not a simple upgrade afterwards.

Based on what was released it is not the exact G2 stack that will be in the R2, there are enhancements to that stack.

As for it being obsolete, that is quite the stretch. If that is the case why buy anything as a few months later it is obsolete. My G1 R1S is far from obsolete, so is my 2016 Model S with AP1. They both work fine for our uses cases and an enhanced version of the G2 stack will fit our needs just fine.

 

[MoreTrout]

I can only speak for myself, but I absolutely love my Gen 1 Quad. Zero issues or complaints, and would do nothing different if I had the benefit of hindsight when making my purchase.

Same. I can't think of a single feature less important to me than autonomous driving. I just want an R2 as fast as I can get it to replace the last piece of junk we own that uses gas.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I’m not even planning to buy an R2 with Gen 3.

But about that R3X…..

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

I don’t typically wait for something better because, if you do, you are always waiting.

But when someone tells me that they plan to have my car be top of the line for only 6 months, I’m not interested in that. It would be like Apple saying that the iPhone 18 is coming out Jan 1 and the iPhone 19 is April 1 (instead of a year later as usual). Why wouldn’t I wait?

 

[elektrode]

Are they even going to know how to use their Gen3 hardware when it’s released? Remember how many months of bugs the Gen2 hardware/software loads had?. It was an irritating period (and I’m just an early adopter Gen1 guy - bugs were all over the place during that transition)

 

[elektrode]

But when someone tells me that they plan to have my car be top of the line for only 6 months, I’m not interested in that. It would be like Apple saying that the iPhone 18 is coming out Jan 1 and the iPhone 19 is April 1 (instead of a year later as usual). Why wouldn’t I wait?

Decent analogy (although June +). No way Rivian is going to hit “The end of 2026” for Gen3 sm00thly. Instead it’ll be 2027 s00n.

 

[SASSquatch]

@ OP you need an option that reads: I am waiting for an R3x so it won't matter...

 

[SDH]

Why would anyone buy a car that has obsolete software on day 1?

let’s be fair, it’s not obsolete. It’s obsolete when we chose a different mode of transport altogether!
Remember its still a car. It’ll still do car stuff. It’ll still have the current level of driver safety cruise control stuff. If you don’t need a car to drive for you, why wait?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I'm not buying a Gen 1 of anything from Rivian again, so I'll be waiting for at least Gen 2 of the R2/R3 platform.

You did hear that Gen3 is coming to R2 at the end of 2026 and more than likely to R3 in 2028 (hopefully).

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