Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality.

Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality.

      **Joel Feder**

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      The saying goes, "better late than never." In this scenario, "better late than early" also rings true. Rivian has finally fulfilled its commitment to the 360-degree “tank turn” feature six years after first hinting at it, and it has surpassed competitors like Mercedes-Benz who beat it to market. The new quad-motor 2026 R1T and R1S can now rotate completely in place while either stationary or in motion—a clever maneuver.

      Rivian has rebranded this technique as "Kick Turn," a more approachable name that likely won't deter people from referring to it as a tank turn. Conceptually, it functions similarly to the electric Mercedes G-Wagen and various Chinese EVs. When the vehicle is at a standstill, the four electric motors can rotate the wheels on each side in opposite directions at the same time, allowing the vehicle to pivot in place.

      Although it’s designed to assist with difficult off-road turns, the feature's true appeal is the opportunity to showcase impressive spins. By introducing its version, Rivian has made it more versatile, enabling activation while the R1T and R1S Quad are moving at speeds up to 15 mph. It’s akin to the Turn Assist function on the Ford Bronco or Toyota Land Cruiser, which applies brakes on the inner wheel during turns to reduce the turning radius, only with a driftier execution.

      The function can be activated through the Off-Road settings screen with two taps while in All-Terrain or Rock Crawl modes. Users first tap a button displaying a vehicle surrounded by spinning arrows. Then, the Gear Guard figure (whom I would really like to be friends with) appears with a button slider. Adjust the virtual button from left to right, as you would unlock an old iPhone, and the Gear Guard figure proceeds to spin around doing a ninja kick. His shoe goes flying. It’s time to kick it into gear.

      All set to go. Joel Feder

      Once activated, instructions will be displayed on the left side of the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. To pivot left, the driver simply holds down the left buttons on either side of the steering wheel while pressing the throttle. To spin right, the driver holds the right buttons on either side of the steering wheel and, you guessed it, slams the throttle.

      The system is easy to understand once you get the hang of it. However, instinctively, many, including myself, tend to turn the steering wheel as soon as the action starts. I found that this approach wasn't correct (someone please direct my wife to this admission). Adding too much steering angle will actually exit the vehicle out of Kick Turn mode, as the system interprets that the driver wants full control.

      The good news is that it performs exactly as promised, allowing the R1T or R1S Quad to spin in place for as long as 20 seconds per attempt, or until the driver stops pressing the steering wheel buttons.

      I spun the R1T around three times before releasing the buttons on the steering wheel. I can only imagine that this might make some people feel dizzy, but I was ready for more. Rivian set up a course with four soft-sided barrels arranged in a square and challenged me to navigate it using only the Kick Turn functionality. This proved to be easy. After completing that, I directed the Quad toward a slalom course composed of the same soft-sided barrels and smoothly Kick Turned my way through it without any issues.

      To put the system to practical use, I drove the R1T along a trail at Donner Ski Ranch, where I encountered two 45-degree turns, one of which had a tree in the center. With Kick Turn engaged, I was able to spin the vehicle around each bend without nearing the tree, thus avoiding the unwanted multi-point turn.

      In keeping with its intent to present this as a functional feature rather than a mere gimmick, Rivian has chosen not to permit Kick Turns on dry pavement. The truck's friction sensors will prevent activation unless the surface is loose or slick. A representative mentioned that it might work on a “suitable surface” when wet. Interesting.

      The launch of Kick Turn carries a bit of irony. After a 2019 teaser video showcased an R1T spinning wildly on a muddy trail and raising concerns about trail damage, Rivian officially shelved the feature in 2023 due to backlash. Those concerns were valid, as tank turns can harm trails. Yet, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, explained to The Drive that they see their implementation as “a more responsible way to perform the tank turn. It’s about treading lightly.” I found using Kick Turn to be enjoyable and, during brief testing, quite practical in eliminating the need for a multi-point turn on off-road trails. However,

Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality. Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality.

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Rivian's Kick Turn Elevates the 360-Degree Tank Turn to a New Level of Practicality.

A tank turn is an impressive party trick for electric vehicles, but Rivian has enhanced this concept by enabling it to be performed while the truck is in motion.