Rivian R2 Ditches FM Radio, Leaving Off-Roaders Without Tunes

The battle over AM radio in new cars may have been just the opening skirmish. Now, FM radio is under threat too, as evidenced by the upcoming Rivian R2. Leaked images from the R2’s owner’s manual reveal the electric SUV skips traditional FM and AM entirely, relying instead on a digital system powered by iHeartRadio.

That’s fine in cities with strong cell coverage, but it’s a problem for anyone planning to take the R2 off the grid. In the wilderness, where cell towers are scarce, the radio goes silent.

Rivian’s solution, called “Rivian Digital Radio,” uses iHeartRadio to stream terrestrial stations. The manual lists other streaming options—Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and TuneIn—but all require the Connect+ subscription or a personal Wi-Fi hotspot. For comparison, the pricier Rivian R1 still includes FM radio, though it also skips AM.

Early reactions on Reddit are harsh. Several prospective buyers call the lack of FM a deal-breaker, arguing that off-road adventures shouldn’t mean losing access to local news, weather, or music. Rivian hasn’t explained the omission, and the company didn’t respond to requests for comment by press time.

Automakers have been trimming AM radio for years, citing electromagnetic interference from electric motors. But dropping FM is a bolder move. It suggests a bet that drivers will accept streaming as a replacement—a bet that looks shaky for anyone who ventures beyond the reach of a cell tower.