R2 Factory Window Tint Level % - Measured Values (All Glass)

[emroch]

I test drove the R2 today and brought along some light meters I "rented" from Amazon... As such, these are not super scientific but should be in the ballpark. Anyway, here are the numbers for R2's factory window coatings:

Drinking glass (baseline): 95.0% VLT / 7.0% UVR / 3.8% IRR
Front Windows (Driver/Passenger): 82.1% VLT / 100% UVR / 73.7% IRR
Rear Windows (Driver/Passenger): 20.9% VLT / 96.8% UVR / 88.5% IRR
Rear Drop Window: 26.9% VLT / 93.6% UVR / 82.6% IRR
Windshield (below the AS1 line): 51.3% IRR
Sunroof: 79.0% IRR

Glossary:

• VLT: visible light transmission - percentage of visible light that passes through the window. Lower is darker.
• UVR: ultraviolet rejection - percentage of UV light that is blocked by the window. Higher is better.
• IRR: infrared rejection - percentage of IR light that is blocked by the window. Higher is better (cooler).

For the windows which roll down, I was able to test with an integrated 3-in-1 meter but for the windshield/sunroof I had to resort to an IR power meter since I cannot put the 3-in-1 around the glass.
(Product links are just what I bought on Amazon for the experiment, these are not an endorsement.)

Subjective Results:
I was overall pleased with the factory tint. The car was sitting in full Texas sun at the Rivian lot and was quite warm when we got in, but the AC cooled it down quickly. I don't know how long it had been parked there since the last demo drive. Compared to my current white/silver cars (R2 was HMG), the cabin was not as stifling as my cars can get on hot summer days, but it was toasty.

The sunroof is very visibly tinted from the inside. If the rear windows are 20% VLT, I'd estimate the sunroof is 25-30%. I was not able to feel any heat radiating from the glass, but it was warm to the touch so it would heat the cabin up on its own over time. Unfortunately, my meter did not measure UV, so I don't know how much it rejects, but given the visible tint and claims of UV coating, I would expect it is blocking >90%.

The windshield IR rejection is disappointing to me, but may be the best they could do without darkening the glass any more. Again, I am not sure how much UV is blocked, but I would hope it is a substantial amount to protect the interior.

I will not be getting any aftermarket tint for my R2, at least not right away. I am going to live through a Texas summer first to see how it fares and to give accessory makers time to come to market. If I find the cabin is frequently too hot or the preconditioning kicks in too often, I will look into solutions in the following order:

1. Windshield IR+UV tint (highest VLT possible, to avoid needing an exemption)
   1. If not available, I might ask some local optometrists if they are willing to sign off on a medical exemption for me. I don't know how hard it is to obtain an exemption, or how strictly it is enforced if the tint is not aggressive.
2. Physical sunroof screen, installed in the headliner below the glass
3. Additional sunroof tint, only if necessary

I suspect most of the heat is coming from the windshield, so I don't know how much sunroof screen/tint will actually help. I do plan on getting the fitted windshield screen for long-term parking, but will probably be too lazy to put it up/down for everyday errands.

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[Jeremy3292]

This is very good information so no speculation. Now we know for sure the rear windows are not just darkened, they actually have heat rejection in them. 79% IRR on the roof is actually pretty darn good from the factory too IMO. I also didn’t notice any heat issues myself. I will get the front windows tinted to match the rears but that’s likely it for me.

Here is the new Tesla Model Y for reference too:

 

[rbdavis808]

I test drove the R2 today and brought along some light meters I "rented" from Amazon... As such, these are not super scientific but should be in the ballpark. Anyway, here are the numbers for R2's factory window coatings:
...

Terrific effort, thank you very much!

 

[shrink]

Factory “tint” is privacy glass. Tint is a film in on the window.

They’re a bit different.

I personally did a 70% tint on the rears and windshield in my R1’s for even more heat rejection living in a desert and to maintain visibility.

https://caratoz.com/window/privacy-glass-vs-tinted-glass-in-window

 

[emroch]

Factory “tint” is privacy glass. Tint is a film in on the window.

They’re a bit different.

I personally did a 70% tint on the rears and windshield in my R1’s for even more heat rejection living in a desert and to maintain visibility.

https://caratoz.com/window/privacy-glass-vs-tinted-glass-in-window

Fair point calling out that the R2 glass does not come with a film pre-installed - the color is integrated in the glass. That is an important distinction, and while I assumed it would not come with a film, I'm sure some cars do so it's worth being explicit

But if we're being pedantic, it is still tinted, it's just not a "film" tint. The "privacy glass" description from your link (emphasis mine):

Factory-installed glass with a darkened, baked-in tint.

 

[rfkxyz]

Drinking glass (baseline): 95.0% VLT / 7.0% UVR / 3.8% IRR
Front Windows (Driver/Passenger): 82.1% VLT / 100% UVR / 73.7% IRR

Windshield (below the AS1 line): 51.3% IRR

The windshield IR rejection is disappointing to me, but may be the best they could do without darkening the glass any more. Again, I am not sure how much UV is blocked, but I would hope it is a substantial amount to protect the interior.

1. Windshield IR+UV tint (highest VLT possible, to avoid needing an exemption)
   1. If not available, I might ask some local optometrists if they are willing to sign off on a medical exemption for me. I don't know how hard it is to obtain an exemption, or how strictly it is enforced if the tint is not aggressive.

I suspect most of the heat is coming from the windshield

Can you speculate re: windshield VLT? Maybe 90%?

I have Virginia DMV endorsement for 70% on windshield, perhaps the only benefit from recent basal cell carcinoma scraped off my nose. Mohs dr. signed off on the form. Got Xpel XR+ 70, net 63% would be w/in acceptable range.

Llumar has 80 & 90, 3M has 90. Note the mix of hues can vary between brands, XR+ 70 has a mild gray-green.

 

[emroch]

I didn't look very carefully but I'd estimate it is pretty close to the VLT of the front side windows. So probably 80-90% VLT.

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