Rivian provides two audio options on all its new vehicles – a standard audio package, and the premium audio package. The amount of time that is spent listening to audio in a vehicle makes the audio system an important decision in a new vehicle purchase.
So, grab your favorite music track (preferably with Dolby Atmos), and let’s take a listen at what Rivian is packing in their vehicles.
Rivian Standard Audio
Rivian offers a standard audio package by default, which was previously a system by Meridian, but was later replaced by an in-house solution in February 2023, so all second-generation Rivians will include the newer system. Rivian’s in-house standard audio is the one we’ll be looking at here, not the older Meridian system.
Rivian’s new in-house system is named Elevation and has had mixed reviews after the removal of the Meridian system – which also went by the name of Elevation. Rivian’s standard audio tends to distort sounds at higher volumes — regardless of the audio source. In addition, the bass response is muddier and weaker than one might expect, especially given the internal size of the R1T and R1S. This is likely due to the base sound system only including 10 speakers on a 600-watt system, which doesn’t include a dedicated subwoofer.
However, the standard audio setup on a Rivian is far better than the standard or even premium setups from many other manufacturers. Many owners have noted that when transitioning from vehicles at or below the price point of the R1T or R1S Dual Large, the standard audio system is not only better designed, but also delivers superior sound quality.
Overall, for what you get by default with Rivian’s standard offering, you’re getting a pretty good – but not fantastic – audio system that can keep up with other manufacturer’s standard offerings. However, don’t expect to get anything premium here and Dolby Atmos support is not included – after all, that’s the next package up.
Rivian Premium Audio With Dolby Atmos
Rivian
The other package that Rivian offers on all its vehicles is the Rivian Premium Audio Package, which costs an additional $1,750 USD or $2,600 CAD. Audio fans and Rivian fans alike were quite happy when Rivian unveiled this new Premium Audio package, which promised to solve all the gripes people have had with Rivian’s standard offering.
One of the biggest pluses for the premium package is the inclusion of Dolby Atmos – an immersive, 360-degree experience that adds more depth, clarity, and details to songs that support its use. Users on X have found that the new Dolby Atmos support – which was just enabled a short while ago in update 2024.27 – has been fantastic.
As a note, Dolby Atmos support is only available in Apple Music and Audible only for now. While Tidal does support Dolby Atmos, there isn’t support for it within your Rivian just yet. The last option – Spotify – doesn’t support Hi-Fi audio or Dolby Atmos. Keep in mind that you’ll need a subscription to Rivian’s Connect+ in order to take advantage of Dolby Atmos.
Standard Audio
Premium Audio
Speakers (R1T)
10
16
Speakers (R1S)
12
18
Output
600 watts
960 watts
Dolby Atmos Support
No
Yes
Price
Included
$1,750 USD
Overall, the updated premium audio system has been extremely well reviewed so far, with many mentioning that the updated 18-speakers and 960-watt output feel like they properly fill the soundstage within the R1S. The smaller cabin of the R1T features a 16-speaker system with the same 960-watt output.
If you love listening to music and are on the fence about which audio package to choose, we recommend visiting a Rivian Space or Service Center and asking to listen to both versions – and make sure to listen to a song with Dolby Atmos support. The surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos is one of the things that helps differentiate Rivian’s audio system.
If you’re someone who loves modding or upgrading your vehicle’s audio, we still recommend picking up Rivian’s Premium system. Having access to all 18 speakers, as well as Dolby Atmos support is something you’ll want, even if you’re putting in more power than Rivian’s 960-watt system.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Rivian news, upcoming features and software updates.
Rivian and Volkswagen released an update to their Joint Venture, which was announced in June of this year. In the original announcement, Volkswagen promised to invest $5 billion in Rivian—$1 billion immediately and another $4 billion over time—for an equally controlled and owned joint venture.
“The partnership with Rivian is the next logical step in strengthening our global competitive and technological position.”
-- Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen
The goals were to help Rivian reduce its cost per vehicle, while also helping Volkswagen with software and zonal control technology. This collaboration presents an incredible opportunity for Rivian, positioning its technology and software as the foundation for future EVs developed through the joint venture. Crucially, Rivian retains its intellectual property rights, opening up a substantial new revenue stream for the company.
JV Update
The JV has been updated with a total deal size of up to $5.8 billion now—which is an addition of another $800 million to the original proposal. Rivian and Volkswagen will send engineers to join the JV, which will be co-headed by Rivian’s Wassym Bensaid and Volkswagen’s Carsten Helbing. Both will take on the title of co-CEO at the JV.
“We’re thrilled to see our technology being integrated in vehicles outside Rivian – this is an important enabler to help accelerate EV adoption.”
-- RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian
The primary purpose of the JV is to start working on the electric architecture—that Zonal control—and the software for what Volkswagen calls “next-generation Software Defined Vehicles,” or SDVs. The JV will officially start on November 13th, 2024, with both companies beginning contributions to the JV on that date.
The best part? The JV focuses on more than just one market segment - it includes subcompact cars. That means a mass-market vehicle that’ll be built upon Rivian’s proven tech and software will one day be available - pushed forward by Volkswagen’s mass-market scale.
The JV will be based in Palo Alto, California, as well as some other sites in North America and Europe - for a total of up to four sites. It’ll be a chance for engineers from both companies to get together and figure out how to best leverage what both companies have to offer and build an appealing set of products.
JV Focuses
With the primary focus being on using Rivian’s pre-existing architecture and software stack, the R2 platform is a clear starting point for the JV - one of its key purposes will be to bootstrap the launch of the R2 in early 2026, and then go on to support the R3, and further Volkswagen vehicles sometime in 2027 and 2028.
Scaling Rivian’s technology will be challenging. While Rivian’s tech is modular, flexible, and highly capable, these advanced features come with a high price tag. To make vehicles that are both high-performing and affordable, the joint venture will need to focus on reducing costs without compromising on capability.
Interestingly, the JV also mentions automated driving functions - so we can probably expect Rivian’s Autonomy Platform to be present on these new vehicles as well - alongside a specific focus on OTA updates.
Rivian and Volkswagen have supposedly already built a driveable demonstrator vehicle, a Volkswagen car built to run on Rivian’s hardware and software, which sounds a lot like Scout…
We’re excited to see where this JV goes and how it helps shape Rivian, Rivian’s software platform, and the future of EVs.
Halloween is just a day away. Are you ready to sport all of your Rivian’s new Halloween features? Rivian added various features in their annual spooky update with Rivian update 2024.39. This year, Rivian has gone all out, with not one but three Halloween car costumes and various other features.
The car costumes are selectable through the Rivian app when the vehicle is parked - and so are all the other fun features.
Halloween Update
Rivian’s Halloween update this time is the biggest it's ever been. Before we dig into the Car Costumes, let’s take a look at the sprinkling of other spooky features they’ve provided.
New Drive Mode Animations
First up is the drive modes menu. Every drive mode in your vehicle has taken on a spooky look, so pan through your available drive modes while you’re parked to see all the Halloween fun. Look closely because some of the spooky surprises are well hidden. The only mode that doesn’t have a spooky surprise is snow mode.
Camp Mode also got a little something special. The flame of the campfire is lit by some witch’s evil magic and is burning green alongside some pumpkins and crows in the background. And just like last year, pedestrians are zombies - but that’s not all. Motorcyclists and bicyclists take on a new form in the visualization - they’ve come back as headless horsemen.
Rivian has also introduced two additional lock sounds for Halloween, an owl and a crow. While all of the Halloween goodies will go away once the season is over, Rivian has already said that the owl lock sound will come back as a standard lock sound in the future.
There are also two new interior lighting modes, the red Crimson Moon, and the green Foggy Bog. To go with that, there’s a new selection of three songs to play internally, as well as a sound effect board, all done from within the Rivian app.
The best plan is to play some spooky sound effects while your Rivian is parked outside on Halloween night to give some trick-or-treaters a fright!
The Costume Selector in the App
Rivian Wave
Knight Rider Car Costume
The Knight Rider costume dresses up Gear Guard Garry as Michael Knight and K.I.T.T.'s super intelligence takes over your car in the classic original TV show style. On Gen 2 vehicles, the lightbar up front will mimic K.I.T.T.’s unique red beam scanner, including the sound effect!
The Knight Rider interior screens
Rivian Wave
Over in the interior, you’ll get three unique displays inside your vehicle. On the driver’s display, you’ll see revs, speed, and a ton of other information, while the main display will tell you all about how ready K.I.T.T. is to tackle the bad guys. Finally, the passengers will have access to the tools K.I.T.T. has access to - everything from energy cannons and radars to Missiles and Turbo Boost.
Back to the Future Car Costume
Back to the Future dresses up Garry as none other than Doc Brown, and you’ll get a super cool set of movie-inspired interfaces on the inside of your vehicle. Gen 2 owners can hit the 88 mph button on their driver’s display and engage in Back to the Future-themed interior and exterior lighting, along with sound effects to match.
The Back to the Future Interior Screens
Rivian Wave
The driver’s display has all the information you’ll need to get your flux capacitor up and running, telling you all about the plutonium chamber and power you’ll need to hit 88 mph. The primary display will tell you when you’ve got your destination, what time it is now, and when you originally departed. The passengers get to keep an eye on the flux capacitor, and dial in the destination time!
Trunk or Treat Car Costume
Trunk or Treat has Garry as a scarecrow this year and has eight different sound effects and three color themes. That’s also alongside the option to select the thematic music for the interior of your vehicle.
All three interior screens will be haunted by ghosts and static, and Gen1 vehicle owners will get a green animation on the lightbar. Gen 2 owners will have their lightbar match their selected color.
Video Overviews
Jenna Ezarik over on X put together this awesome recap - so go take a look.
![Rivian Matrix Headlights: What They Are and How to Tell If You Have Them [VIDEO]](https://www.rivianwave.com/img/paths/storage/r1t/r1t_headlight.jpg/d8b668a69ef1b4256f3bb09d419ee369/r1t_headlight.jpg)
