Rivian’s push into hands-free driving technology has sparked heated debate among electric vehicle enthusiasts, with its Driver+ system drawing both praise and skepticism as of March 9, 2025. Marketed as a cutting-edge feature for its R1T pickup and R1S SUV, Driver+ promises Level 2 autonomy—hands-free highway cruising with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Yet, early adopters, particularly Gen 1 owners, are airing grievances that suggest the system’s capabilities may be more suspect than stellar, turning weekend social media feeds into a battleground of clips, rants, and cautious optimism.
The core issue lies in execution. While Rivian touts a robust suite of sensors—11 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic units—Gen 1 owners report inconsistent performance. On X, posts highlight Driver+ disengaging unexpectedly on curves or struggling with lane markings in adverse weather, quirks that lag behind competitors like Tesla’s Autopilot or Ford’s BlueCruise. One user recently vented, “Hands-free? More like hands-on every five minutes,” alongside a clip of the system faltering on a rain-slicked road. Rivian’s promise of over-the-air updates offers hope, but the pace of improvement has left some feeling like beta testers rather than premium buyers.
Tech-savvy drivers see potential, though. The system shines on straight, well-marked highways, earning kudos for smooth integration with Rivian’s sleek interface. Yet, the gap between Gen 1 and newer models stings—later builds reportedly handle edge cases better, fueling speculation of hardware limitations in early units. This weekend, EV fans on X are likely dissecting whether Driver+ is a work-in-progress gem or a misstep for a brand banking on adventure-ready innovation.
Rivian’s challenge is clear: refine Driver+ or risk alienating a loyal base. For now, the debate rages—hands-free freedom remains tantalizingly close, yet frustratingly out of reach for some.