Rivian Connect+ pricing = $14.99 monthly / $149.99 annually

[debitdude]

I wonder if Alexa will open up Sirius xm with connect+?

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[NY_Rob]

$149/year is too high, $99 like Tesla is the sweet spot where people won't think twice about subscribing.

 

[Jiri]

Yes, it looks like they're nerfing our features if we don't pay. Tesla did the same thing several years ago. Cars used to come with free connectivity to do streaming music and video, satellite maps, and traffic visualization, but now you pay $10/mo or $100/year to do that. Unlike Rivian it seems, Tesla grandfathered in the earlier cars into having free premium connectivity for life.

It's strange that Connect+ is being announced like it's bringing these new features out that have actually always been available, but now you have to pay for them.

I would argue they aren’t taking away any features. Just monetizing the services we were getting free for quite some time. Data etc. are services that have an operating cost. So it makes sense that we start paying.

 

[SANZC02]

150 a year (=12.50 a month) does not seem that bad, I’ll probably add it to mine.

For those that missed the communication last month, here are some details;

What is Connect+?
All Rivian vehicles come with standard connectivity features such as:

• Regular over-the-air software updates
• Live navigation
• Remote vehicle commands
• Phone as a key
• Alexa Basic (for vehicle commands)
• Tethering (connecting the vehicle to an external Wi-Fi network or phone hotspot)

On June 6, 2024, Rivian announced Connect+ which will provide additional connected vehicle features such as:

• In-vehicle hotspot
• Satellite Images
• Alexa Connected commands
• Data to access music streaming apps like Spotify, Tidal and TuneIn (Apple Music coming later this summer)
• Google Cast and YouTube (coming later this summer)
• Gear Guard Live Cam (coming later this year)

Connect+ will be available in vehicles later this summer. At that point, we’ll introduce a two-month trial for all existing owners.

Connect+ will cost $14.99 per month ($19.99 CAD) or $149.99 per year ($199.99 CAD). You'll be notified towards the end of your trial and be able to sign up via the Rivian app, in-vehicle infotainment, and your Account Page.

 

[Chewy734]

Now I’m wondering… do we currently have Alexa Basic or Alexa Connect? Whatever it is, it sucks.

 

[beatle]

I would argue they aren’t taking away any features. Just monetizing the services we were getting free for quite some time. Data etc. are services that have an operating cost. So it makes sense that we start paying.

Services with ongoing costs are the few I can stomach a subscription for. This isn't like BMW charging you monthly for heated seats.

But as I mentioned earlier, this wouldn't be such a talking point if they were more upfront about it at the time of purchase. On my 2015 Model S I had free connectivity for life. When I bought my 2019 I was told I'd have 30 days of free premium connectivity it and then I'd have to subscribe. After the trial I paid for it because it's worth it, and I'll still pay for Connect+ (though I also think it should only be $100/year), but the change from free to pay leaves a bad taste in owners' mouths as they did not disclose this very well. Heck, I don't think they're even disclosing it very well now.

This is a slightly less worse version of the companies that sold smart devices with no subscription and then dropped a subscription bomb on everyone after they're all hooked into the ecosystem. If it was always an unsustainable business model to offer a free service on the basis of recouping costs in another manner, then it was just a bad business model; that's not the customer's fault.

 

[Invzibl]

I don’t think ive seen it posted anywhere but it pops up in RivianTrackers video from last nights Rivian event. Appears to be $14.99 per month and $149.99 annually. Also bonus, this is the first video i’ve seen with the slate sky interior featured.

It’s not 14.99 per month and 149.99 annually, it’s one or the other. So that is better. ?

 

[Jiri]

Services with ongoing costs are the few I can stomach a subscription for. This isn't like BMW charging you monthly for heated seats.

But as I mentioned earlier, this wouldn't be such a talking point if they were more upfront about it at the time of purchase. On my 2015 Model S I had free connectivity for life. When I bought my 2019 I was told I'd have 30 days of free premium connectivity it and then I'd have to subscribe. After the trial I paid for it because it's worth it, and I'll still pay for Connect+ (though I also think it should only be $100/year), but the change from free to pay leaves a bad taste in owners' mouths as they did not disclose this very well. Heck, I don't think they're even disclosing it very well now.

This is a slightly less worse version of the companies that sold smart devices with no subscription and then dropped a subscription bomb on everyone after they're all hooked into the ecosystem. If it was always an unsustainable business model to offer a free service on the basis of recouping costs in another manner, then it was just a bad business model; that's not the customer's fault.

Right on. I am on second R1T and my first one was a super early number. So I was well informed that those services will eventually be paid. But you are probably right that it wasn’t that well communicated after the first few thousand deliveries. Early on it was made super clear and it seemed like each month was a “hell yeah. One more freebie month.” ?

Hell. And I am by principle never buying a car from a company stonewalling hardware features. I was just in Zurich and had a rental Benz. And guess what … half the features including adaptive cruise were there physically (paid for hardware) but disabled and would have to be purchased by the owner. That I will never support unless the car is free and the whole thing is a subscription ?? Wait … I guess some people lease. And that’s about it … ah hell. I am already committed to what I said.

 

[freshpow]

$149/year is too high, $99 like Tesla is the sweet spot where people won't think twice about subscribing.

You may be right but average selling price for a Tesla is ~$50k vs. ~$90k for a Rivian currently. I can't imagine the extra $50 will discourage too many owners. Of course, there are those that will refuse to pay based on principle but they would probably be out at $99 too.

 

[Zoidz]

It's not something that's been relayed during delivery, or at least not at mine which was after the 6/4 announcement.

It's been in the General Terms and Conditions document since the vehicles have been shipping day 1. You did read that document before you made your purchase, right? The wording has changed a couple of times, but it has always been there. It orginally called the data services a Beta program which would end at some unspecified time.

 

[beatle]

Yes, of course, as everyone does. I had to look that one up as I actually don't recall that being in the stack of papers I reviewed at delivery.

Certain in-vehicle features or Services may require enhanced vehicle wireless connectivity at an additional cost to you. We will notify you of any additional costs associated with such in-vehicle features or Services. You hereby acknowledge and agree that your purchase and/or use of such in-vehicle features or Services is subject to the Rivian Payment Terms and any other terms applicable to such in-vehicle features or Services.​

​

Again, that's vague about when or even if you'll have to start paying for it, and there's no mention of cost. If this was Rivian's plan all along, why wait years to spring it on people? BTW, the Payment Terms link in the document is dead.

My delivery guy was super sharp, knew the answer to almost everything or immediately tried to find it, and he seemed to genuinely care about my experience, so I have to wonder if corporate intentionally told him to not mention this pretty-important not-so-pleasant fact about connectivity.

 

[R1Tom]

Count me as someone who will simply opt in and pay the fee. No biggie to me and have been expecting it for a long time already.

 

[citizen]

Was well aware of this when I picked up my vehicle a year ago. Surprised if newer owners expected to have free hotspot, music streaming for life.

Won't opt in right off the bat, but when Gear Guard Live Cam is available, I'll probably subscribe. Though the Gen1 cameras really do suck.

 

[Chewy734]

You may be right but average selling price for a Tesla is ~$50k vs. ~$90k for a Rivian currently. I can't imagine the extra $50 will discourage too many owners. Of course, there are those that will refuse to pay based on principle but they would probably be out at $99 too.

One can make an argument for the price to be related to what features are included, instead of the original price of the vehicle itself. For this, I say it should cost less than the Tesla $99.

That being said, I’m sad it’s not free for early adopters, but I also understand it’s an obvious business decision. Thanks to inflation, I suppose $149 is the new $99? ?‍

 

[azbill]

150 a year (=12.50 a month) does not seem that bad, I’ll probably add it to mine.

For those that missed the communication last month, here are some details;

What is Connect+?
All Rivian vehicles come with standard connectivity features such as:

• Regular over-the-air software updates
• Live navigation
• Remote vehicle commands
• Phone as a key
• Alexa Basic (for vehicle commands)
• Tethering (connecting the vehicle to an external Wi-Fi network or phone hotspot)

On June 6, 2024, Rivian announced Connect+ which will provide additional connected vehicle features such as:

• In-vehicle hotspot
• Satellite Images
• Alexa Connected commands
• Data to access music streaming apps like Spotify, Tidal and TuneIn (Apple Music coming later this summer)
• Google Cast and YouTube (coming later this summer)
• Gear Guard Live Cam (coming later this year)

Connect+ will be available in vehicles later this summer. At that point, we’ll introduce a two-month trial for all existing owners.

Connect+ will cost $14.99 per month ($19.99 CAD) or $149.99 per year ($199.99 CAD). You'll be notified towards the end of your trial and be able to sign up via the Rivian app, in-vehicle infotainment, and your Account Page.

Only thing I use (or even care about) on the C+ list today is streaming TuneIn, so I will just dump that and start using SXM on my phone, which is free for me. My phone has better streaming connectivity anyway.

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