Patents rarely guarantee that a car will reach production, but Rivian’s latest filing provides a revealing look at how future SUVs from the company could rethink tailgates and everyday usability.
Rivian’s new patent details a powered, multi-piece rear tailgate system for future models. The design allows the upper glass and main tailgate to move independently or together, fully powered. The patent also indicates a return of physical buttons and switches alongside touchscreen controls inside the cabin.
Automotive patents don’t often signal an imminent production vehicle, but they do offer insight into what automakers are exploring behind the scenes. Most filings are intended to stake a claim on a concept that might never appear in a showroom. When a patent is granted, it can suggest the direction a company is considering.
Rivian’s most recent patent has drawn attention for precisely this reason. Approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in January 2026 (patent no. 12522055, published January 13, 2026, for those who want to verify), the filing outlines a powered rear closure system that reimagines how a tailgate, or liftgate, could operate on a future Rivian SUV.
The focus of Rivian’s patent is a multi-piece rear tailgate. Instead of a single swinging panel, this design allows separate sections to operate independently. The most notable component is the upper glass, which can open on its own or together with the main tailgate, all powered by electric motors and latches.
The current Toyota Land Cruiser already allows the rear glass to open separately, a feature many owners appreciate for quick loading or tight spaces. Where Rivian takes it further is by fully powering the system, eliminating the need for manual effort and providing additional ways to open the tailgate.
If it eventually makes it to production, such a system could make loading cargo easier, offer more flexibility for outdoor gear, and improve day-to-day usability. Considering Rivian’s lineup, the most probable candidate for this innovation would be a future SUV, likely a facelifted R1S, rather than its pickup truck.
The patent also hints at interior changes. Drawings reveal physical buttons, knobs, and switches coexisting with the main touchscreen, a notable shift for a brand whose cabins have leaned heavily on minimalistic, screen-focused layouts.
The industry is increasingly acknowledging that touch-only controls can be cumbersome in real-world driving. Kia, for instance, has deliberately retained physical controls for essential functions, emphasizing usability over purely minimalist design. Rivian’s patent suggests it may be reaching a similar conclusion.
It’s important to emphasize: patents protect concepts, not guaranteed features. What’s described could change, evolve, or never reach production. However, if Rivian pursues this design, a smarter tailgate combined with the return of physical controls would represent a quiet yet meaningful improvement to the functionality of its EVs.
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