--- title: "Your Next EV Won’t Be Obsolete: How Rivian Is Designing for the Next Decade" date: "2025-07-14" modified: "2025-07-14" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-rivian-is-future-proofing-its-evs-7-10-years-out" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Rivian News" --- # Your Next EV Won’t Be Obsolete: How Rivian Is Designing for the Next Decade ![2026 Rivian R1T Quad]() Buy a [Rivian]() today or tomorrow and it will gain new features, functionality, and different software interfaces for years to come unlike a Toyota or Honda. Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid told *The Drive* "we like to think about 7 to 10 years" in terms of how long the automaker will upgrade the software within its vehicles. And Rivian's baking that plan into the development of its vehicles. Bensaid said the electrical architectures developed, which the automaker's now buttoning up its third that will debut in the smaller [R2 electric crossover in 2026](), are designed with that 7 to 10 year timeline in terms of headroom for upgradeability. A functional concept not seen anywhere else in the automotive industry [outside of Tesla]() to date. But updates won't stop after just 7 to 10 years, as that timeline is simply limited to functional feature updates. Bensaid said "for anything related to safety or security, it would go beyond those 7 to 10 years." ![2026 Rivian R1T Quad]() Bensaid noted that Rivian is developing its own operating system that runs on multiple sets of hardware and that the beauty of doing things this way, the hard way, is it's flexible and modern enough to run on different versions. "It's not easy, it requires a lot of work,' Bensaid said. Staying far away from software updates that enable fart noises, Rivian's have [gained Soft Sand mode]() along with low and high regenerative braking settings since the R1T and R1S launched. That's in addition to a myriad of other software updates, including one that [redesigned the 15.6-inch touchscreen's user interface](). Ford has updated the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E's software multiple times enabling bits of extra functionality through the touchscreen. But the automaker's limited by its electrical architectures and outsourcing of components to simple tweaks. No Ford EV on sale today is going to suddenly ride better because of a free over-the-air (OTA) software update. The same can be said about most EVs on sale in the U.S. for the same reasons. The [vertical integration]() and in-house developed electrical architecture at Rivian has paid dividends in this arena. ![2026 Rivian R1S Quad]() *Rivian R1S Quad performing a Kick Turn *Joel Feder* *Joel Feder** The upgradeability will be put further on display later this year. In September the [Rivian RAD Tuner software]() and [Kick Turn function]() will both arrive via a free (OTA) software update, but only for the [2026 R1T and R1S Quad](). Cars are expensive. The average transaction price of a new car in May was $48,799 according to *[Cox Automotive]()*. Trucks and large SUVs cost even more. Bensaid acknowledged cars aren't like smartphones stating, "this is a big purchase and a lot of our customers will keep their cars for a long time, it's important for us that those cars feel fresh." Bensaid is right about consumers keeping cars for a long time. The average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads today is 12.8 years, according to a [S&P Global report](). Sticking to the smartphone comparison, Apple typically provides consistent software updates for 5 to 7 years before deeming a phone obsolete, but it too continues to provide security updates after that timeframe. Addressing concerns of how a software-defined vehicle will operate in 12 years (sticking to that average age of a vehicle on the road today timeline), Bensaid said Rivian's will "it will absolutely work" but that "it just will not necessarily get new features." "I think that's the point where sometimes people don't necessarily get it, which is like, there will be no degradation, it will not be a brick, it will be a perfectly functioning car," Bensaid said. Bensaid is open to evolving the mindset. "We own our own destiny," the exec said. Today's goal is to continue to update the automaker's vehicle software about every month, but things change. "Maybe we'll change our opinion," Bensaid said while noting maybe the automaker shifts its 7 to 10 year software upgradability to "9 to 11 (years)." At least Bensaid went up in terms of years and not down in his theorizing, which is great news for Rivian buyers. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()