Rivian announced that the R2 is officially launching on June 9th, and I honestly couldn't be more excited. But at the same time… I'm also a little sad.
Because for the past few months, I've been quietly struggling with a decision I never thought I'd have to make… at least right now.
We currently lease the R1T and own the R1S - and realistically, we absolutely do not need a third vehicle.
The problem is… my wife has completely fallen in love with her R1S, especially with that Ocean Coast interior. And if I'm being honest, I've started reaching for the SUV more often than I ever expected to. It's so comfortable, gen 2 feels more refined in my opinion, it's practical for carpooling, and the driving dynamics have improved drastically since we got it last year.
But there's still just something about the R1T. Something that feels special every single time I drive it.
Maybe it's because the R1T is what ultimately led me to starting this YouTube channel in the first place. It's what pulled me into the Rivian community and introduced me to so many incredible people along the way.
I started making weekly Rivian videos because I was craving something more creative in my life. I've always loved filmmaking, photography, and wanted to be a better storyteller - but for most of my life, everything revolved around hockey, school, and eventually work.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped creating.
And weirdly enough… this truck helped me find that part of myself again.
At the time, it felt like a pipe dream. I was driving a standard Tesla Model 3 - yep, just a regular Model 3, RWD, standard audio. But that car was my gateway into the EV world.
Back then, making Rivian videos without actually owning one almost felt ridiculous. I was just genuinely fascinated by what the company was building and where the future of electric vehicles was heading.
So when I finally had the opportunity to make the jump two years ago, I knew I had to take it. Because if I wanted to truly talk about these vehicles, review them, and report on them honestly… I needed real-world experience living with one every single day.
And let me tell you… I leased that R1T without ever even driving one. My wife genuinely thought I had completely lost my mind.
What makes the story even funnier is that the day before delivery, the Boston Space had just opened its doors. So I finally went for my very first test drive… less than 12 hours before I was supposed to pick up my truck from the service center.
I think, after covering Rivian for so long, I almost felt like I already knew the vehicle. I had watched every video, read every interview, followed every update, and spent countless hours listening to the community. At that point, it wasn't really about deciding if I liked the truck anymore. I was just unbelievably excited to finally experience it for myself.
Then during that first year of ownership… I completely fell in love with the truck. It's hard to explain unless you've experienced it yourself.
I think a lot of early Tesla owners probably understand this feeling - especially the people who bought the original Model S. It stops feeling like just a vehicle and starts becoming something bigger than that. Part of your routine. Part of your identity. One of those cars you genuinely can't imagine not seeing in your garage anymore.
That's what the R1T became for me.
But with the R2 finally around the corner, I've been forced to make a really difficult decision. And as hard as it is to admit… I think it might finally be time to move on. But let's talk about why.
The Channel
Reason #1Switching to the R2 just makes sense for the future of my YouTube channel and the type of content I want to create. The reality is, the R2 is going to be Rivian's true mass-market vehicle - while the R1T remains this incredibly cool truck that, unfortunately, is still out of reach for most people.
Now this isn't the reason most people trade in a vehicle… but it's my reality.
I want to be there to help new owners understand the R2 as people start buying their very first Rivian - and for many of them, their very first electric vehicle. That's the kind of content I'm most excited to make.
And while I know some people probably see me as a Rivian fanboy at times, I've always wanted this channel to be more than only sharing the good. I want to share the good, the okay, and yes, even the bad parts of ownership - so people can make genuinely informed decisions before spending their hard-earned money on one of these vehicles. Because the R2 is still not cheap.
My Lifestyle
Reason #2I'm not a homeowner, and if I'm being honest, I don't use the truck bed nearly as much as most truck owners probably do. Now don't get me wrong - it's been incredibly useful at times, especially during apartment moves. I even bought the truck bed extender, which allowed me to fit and transport up to eight tires at once.
So for everyone who loves to complain that the R1T bed is too short and incapable of real work… there are definitely ways around it that work surprisingly well.
But day to day, I've realized I get way more use out of the cabin space itself. And that's something I've already noticed every time I drive the R1S. The SUV layout just fits my life better right now - and I have a feeling the R2 is going to hit that sweet spot even more.
Arlo
Reason #3Third, and maybe the most important - there's Arlo.
Around here, Arlo is basically the decision-maker. Whatever works best for him goes, no questions asked.
This guy absolutely loves being my co-pilot anytime I'm driving around town. And if you know Arlo, you already know the back-right window is his window. Nobody else's.
I feel that the increased cabin space in the R2, along with the dropping rear window, is going to make him way more comfortable on drives and when using pet mode. And the addition of a true interior cabin camera so I can actually check in on him while he's inside the vehicle feels like a massive upgrade for me.
At the end of the day… if Arlo approves, that's usually the final answer anyway.
City Life
Reason #4Driving a truck in the city gets old pretty fast. And if you live around Boston, you already know exactly what I'm talking about.
Parking spots that are just slightly too small, narrow streets, tight garages, questionable parallel parking situations… and just Boston in general.
Now to be clear, the R1T is still totally manageable - and it's something I've learned to live with. But the reality is, the R2 is simply going to fit into city life better.
Especially when I end up taking the R1S and my wife is left navigating downtown in the truck. That's when things can go from "slightly annoying" to unnecessarily stressful pretty quickly.
So reducing a little bit of that friction in everyday life feels like a pretty big win to me.
Not Goodbye Forever
So I guess what I'm really trying to say is… getting rid of the R1T feels like closing a chapter of my life.
Because in a weird way, this truck became tied to so many major moments - starting this channel, finding a creative outlet again, meeting incredible people, and building something I genuinely care about.
But at the same time, getting the R2 feels like opening an entirely new chapter. One that honestly excites me just as much. And hopefully it's something I can continue sharing with all of you - especially the people who are just starting their own Rivian or EV journey.
And honestly… I don't think this is goodbye forever.
The R1T has genuinely been the best vehicle I've ever owned. Probably my favorite vehicle I've ever owned.
So knowing myself… I have a feeling another one will find its way back into my garage someday.
