Google Maps on Rivian is not on par with other platforms

[booker]

I recently (September) bought a Rivian 1S and overall I love it. But I have to say I’m a bit disappointed with the maps implementation. When I bought the car I was happy that the maps were being powered by Google - as I’ve been happy with GM on my iPhone and on my Volvo (though Android Automotive OS***). However, the Rivian implementation isn’t as solid. My biggest issue by far is that the Rivian version doesn’t give adequate route alternatives. Generally speaking, it gives fewer and inferior alternatives to the ones I see on my phone or that I get in the Volvo. It’s actually a big issue for me and I often end up using my phone rather than the beautiful displays on the Rivian for navigation.

[***Note*** Not to be confused, Android Automotive OS is different from Android Auto. Android Automative OS is built into the Volvo and acts as the native OS in the car whereas Android Auto is more like Car Play for Android Phones]

A lesser, but curious issue is that GM navigation on the Rivian often breaks continuous highways into sections, which makes it look like one has a turn coming up when one is essentially just continuing on straight. It’s strange because this doesn’t happen nearly as often on the iPhone app and is mostly just an annoyance - but it also demonstrates the odd differences between the platforms.

Finally, it would be nice if you could link one’s GM account to the Rivian - kind of like the Spotify app is linked. This works nicely with Google Maps on my Volvo and allows me to share favorites and other things. Not as essential as with music - but would be nice.

Does anybody know if Rivian has plans to bring its implementation up to par? Route selection being the key feature gap.

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[COdogman]

Well, they have made multiple updates to it even since the switch to Google Maps. I would guess that continues to get attention. We typically get approximately 1 update per month (give or take). I agree it’s not perfect, but IMO neither is any other nav platform I have ever used. All them have pros and cons…

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Like the ICE Chevy Equinox rental while my T was in service, whose Google nav showed me plowing through city blocks 2 miles away instead the actual street I was on? Hah. The Rivian nav is still a work in progress, but it at least knows where it is.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Like the ICE Chevy Equinox rental while my T was in service, whose Google nav showed me plowing through city blocks 2 miles away instead the actual street I was on? Hah. The Rivian nav is still a work in progress, but it at least knows where it is.

What does the car being ICE have anything to do with this topic?

 

[David_C_]

A lesser, but curious issue is that GM navigation on the Rivian often breaks continuous highways into sections, which makes it look like one has a turn coming up when one is essentially just continuing on straight.

Thanks for bringing this up, I was going to as well. This is a problem, and hopefully gets fixed real soon. Even Apple Maps has largely fixed this….

P.S. using the acronym “GM” in an automotive forum is quite confusing…. Several times I wondered, “why is he bringing up General Motors?”

 

[David_C_]

What does the car being ICE have anything to do with this topic?

There’s an EV equinox and an ICE version. They’re different vehicles.

 

[Rade]

I'm starting to get used to the Google Maps on the Rivian, and often use it to see if "how I know how to get to Point B" can be improved on. So far, it's found me the best routes to get to places of interest, and on two occasions, even found me better routes that I would never have considered taking. But then sometimes it just goes wonky and wants me to go in directions that I know better not to.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Like the ICE Chevy Equinox rental while my T was in service, whose Google nav showed me plowing through city blocks 2 miles away instead the actual street I was on? Hah. The Rivian nav is still a work in progress, but it at least knows where it is.

You can go back and read all the threads here from people who's Rivian GPS is messed up and mis-locating them if you'd like.

 

[johnj2803]

you can share directions from your GM on your phone to your Rivian. Google integration will be much better in future updates when the Rivian assistant is pushed out.

 

[azbill]

I agree the Rivian implementation is lacking. I have google natively in my Hummer and it has the alternate route planning as well as having ALL charging networks. When a new charger comes on line it shows up in google in less than 2 weeks. The alternate routes also indicate battery savings, or increase.

 

[Acoustic71]

You can go back and read all the threads here from people who's Rivian GPS is messed up and mis-locating them if you'd like.

This one time, in Vietnam Band Camp, Apple Maps took us 15 miles in the wrong direction from our real destination and had us stranded on a mountaintop. Then had the gall to announce, “Arrived!”

 

[Feetdry]

As I view this forum, my model T shows it parked in MY garage but reads out as my neighbors address. Now I have a current Garmin receiver on its windshield and it reads out my current address... When visitors show up at the neighbors, I know they are using Google to navigate..

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

You can go back and read all the threads here from people who's Rivian GPS is messed up and mis-locating them if you'd like.

No need. It happened to me for just one day, a week after delivery, while parked and long before Rivian switched to Google from Mapbox. Those with CarPlay obsessions have all sorts of excuses. That platform isn’t flawless either.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I agree. Rivian is so stubborn about forcing everything into one ecosystem. I understand the idea, but the execution just hasn’t been good. We’re four years into this ecosystem, and plenty of people don’t even keep their cars that long.

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