Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Rivian has begun rolling out the first meaningful over-the-air software update for the R2, and it's a big one. The 2026.24 update not only fixes several bugs and usability problems but also adds several nifty features, many of which have been available on the R1T and R1S for some time. The R2 only launched a month ago, so it's nice to see that Rivian is already making it better with these improvements, announced by Rivian's Head of Software Wassym Bensaid. Let's take a look at what's new.Rivian R2 Gets Launch Mode, Pet Comfort, Gear Guard, And MoreRivianView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe headline update is the addition of Launch Mode, maximizing the acceleration of the electric crossover. In Performance Launch Edition guise, the R2 is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, but some real-world tests have suggested it's even quicker, and this update will make the electric SUV even more explosive off the line. Another important feature is Rivian's take on Tesla's Dog Mode, called Pet Comfort. This regulates the temperature in the cabin so that pets stay comfortable, with a message displayed on the large central screen so that passersby know your furry friend is living its best life. The last of the major improvements is the addition of Gear Guard, which is similar to Tesla's Sentry Mode. Motion sensors monitor the vehicle when parked, sending an alert to the Rivian smartphone app when a threat is detected, like an attempted break-in. The system also allows owners to record drives.Elsewhere, the R2's update allows for garage door pairing with systems like HomeLink, automatically opening your garage door when you arrive and closing it when you leave. An in-car WiFi hotspot has also been added as part of Rivian's Connectivity+ subscription, and the digital key function is now able to identify which key is nearest the driver's door when the R2 is approached, loading that user's profile and setting the seat position and other preferences automatically.Rivian Fixes R2 Bugs, But There's More To ComeFirst R2 OTA rolling out today! Launch Mode, Pet Mode, Gear Guard, Garage door pairing, WiFi Hotspot, and many more fixes and improvements⚡! pic.twitter.com/IKbhioqzP9— Wassym Bensaid (@WassymBensaid) July 15, 2026Some Rivian R2 owners had complained that their adaptive high beam systems weren't operating correctly, and this update should address that, along with other niggles associated with NFC unlocking, rear door handles, litgate operation, climate controls, navigation, music streaming apps, mobile app charging info, and steering wheel controls. Navigation chimes have been restored, charging route estimates are better, the turn signal sound is quieter, and the driver's seat no longer needs to be recalibrated at every startup. Later in the year, the R2 is expected to gain a pet camera and a better route planner, but for now, the R2 is even more of a downscaled R1S than before.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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