Rivian has reintroduced its viral “Tank Turn” feature—now reborn as Kick Turn, a more practical off-road tool rather than a flashy gimmick. Unlike its predecessor, Kick Turn is built with real-world utility and safety in mind. The function will roll out as an OTA update for Gen 2 quad-motor R1T and R1S vehicles in September 2025.
What Is Kick Turn?
The original Tank Turn spun the vehicle in place using independent wheel control, mimicking a tank’s rotation. It made waves online but raised safety and environmental concerns, stalling its launch. Rivian shelved the idea—until now.
Kick Turn refines that concept. It still allows Rivian vehicles to pivot in place, but now it’s tuned for trail performance—ideal for tight switchbacks and narrow off-road paths.
How Kick Turn Works
To use Kick Turn, drivers follow four steps:
- Activate it via the drive mode pop-out on the center screen (must be in Rock Crawl or All Terrain mode).
- Confirm with a slider—featuring a fun animation of Rivian’s mascot, Gear Guard.
- Select spin direction using the steering wheel’s rocker buttons.
- Accelerate to control the spin’s speed.
Kick Turn can be used from a stop or while rolling under 15 mph. Let go of either button or ease off the accelerator to stop spinning.
Pro Tip: Keep the steering wheel straight—turning it too far cancels Kick Turn.
A Useful Trail Tool—Not Just a Gimmick
During demos, Kick Turn proved highly effective on sharp mountain switchbacks and tight forest trails. Instead of multi-point turns, drivers could pivot precisely around obstacles. It’s also capable of doing a full 360° spin, but the system auto-shuts off after 20 seconds to prevent abuse.
You can even weave through tight spaces or slaloms with ease, as long as you alternate the spin direction via the wheel buttons.
Built-in Safety Features
Rivian baked multiple safeguards into Kick Turn:
- Won’t engage on asphalt or high-traction surfaces
- Requires flat terrain (within 10° tilt)
- Monitors vehicle yaw and disables overly aggressive spins
- Works with stability control fully on or reduced
Kick Turn is for dirt, gravel, snow, or similar loose surfaces—never dry pavement.
Why Gen 1 Rivians Can’t Use Kick Turn
Kick Turn is exclusive to Gen 2 quad-motor vehicles. Why?
- Gen 1 models had Bosch motors and slower electrical architecture, causing latency in wheel response.
- Gen 2 features in-house motors, zonal architecture, and faster inverters for precise spin control.
- The software had to be rebuilt from scratch, requiring new hardware not present in Gen 1.
Dual- and tri-motor variants—including future R2 and R3 models—won’t support Kick Turn, though Rivian is exploring brake-based alternatives.
Why the New Name?
“Kick Turn” was chosen to reflect a more practical, non-militaristic approach compared to “Tank Turn.” It also underscores the refinement and improved execution of the feature.
Final Word: A Gimmick Evolved into a Trail Asset
With Kick Turn, Rivian delivers a feature that’s fun and functional. It empowers off-road enthusiasts to tackle tight terrain with confidence and precision, while maintaining environmental respect and user control.
For those lucky enough to own a Gen 2 quad-motor Rivian, a powerful new trick is arriving soon—no circus needed.
