Rivian Quietly Removes Seatback Ventilation From R2, Buyers Furious

Rivian has changed how ventilated seats work in the R2: air no longer flows through the seatback and is directed only through the seat cushion. The company cited excessive cabin noise, but buyers are angry over the lack of transparency and some are cancelling preorders.

• R2 seatback ventilation removed; airflow now only through the seat base
• Rivian says the change was made due to excessive cabin noise
• Some buyers are cancelling preorders and threatening chargebacks
• Unclear whether existing R2s will keep the original ventilation behavior