The Drivecast

Rivian bet the company on R2. RJ Scaringe told us almost everything

Rivian, by many accounts, has become the darling of the automotive industry. It’s a hot topic despite its current volume and scale. To date, it’s not a mainstream brand with a mass-market offering. But that changed yesterday with the launch of the R2, which costs between $45,000 and $60,000 while hitting at the absolute heart of the compact crossover SUV market at 186 inches long, which is the size of the Toyota RAV4 and Tesla Model Y. The former is one of the best selling vehicles period while the latter is one of the best-selling EVs by the widest of margins it’s not even funny. Now it’s Rivian’s turn to step into the arena and aim for the masses. This is the moment RJ Scaringe and his team has been building towards for years. Everything is riding on this. This week, The Drive's Director of Content and Product, Joel Feder, is joined by Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe to dissect how we got here, missteps, where the company is today, and what's about to happen in both the immediate and longer-term future. So, today, it’s behind-the-scenes on Rivian going into the mass market arena, what that looks like, how it plays out, and addressing how the automaker aims to tackle it all. Stories mentioned in today's episode: 2027 Rivian R2 First Drive Review: The Perfect Car for So Many People [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2027-rivian-r2-first-drive-review]Somehow, Rivian’s Cheaper R2 Is Its Most Refined Vehicle [https://www.thedrive.com/news/somehow-rivians-cheaper-r2-is-its-most-refined-vehicle] The Rivian R2 Needed a Rear Wiper That Didn’t Exist. So Rivian Invented One [https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-rivian-r2-needed-a-rear-wiper-that-didnt-exist-so-rivian-invented-one] 2026 Rivian R1T Quad First Drive Review: When Too Much Is Just Enough [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2026-rivian-r1t-quad-review] Rivian Is Going RAD. But Can It Stick the Landing? [https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-is-going-rad-but-can-it-stick-the-landing] Rivian Won’t Talk About the Missing R2 Tri-Motor. The Reason Why Is Big [https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-wont-talk-about-the-missing-r2-tri-motor-the-reason-why-is-big] Rivian Sidesteps Apple CarPlay With Built-In Texting [https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-sidesteps-apple-carplay-with-built-in-texting] 00:00 Intro 04:05 R2 profitability 07:43 R2 launch 10:49 Service 16:54 Rivian Adventure Network 20:03 RAD 25:47 R3X 26:25 R2T? 29:13 R4 29:31 Patents and a winch for R1 30:57 Repairability 35:32 Buttons, knobs, and the Halo wheels 37:43 Voice controls 39:07 RJ's final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Inside Toyota's reliability crisis

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, who for decades has been known for building more reliable cars than anyone else. But lately, some big cracks are starting to form in that foundation. Last month, Toyota added another 44,000 vehicles to its ongoing recall of Tundra pickups and Lexus SUVs with the company’s troubled 3.4-liter twin turbo V6, bringing the total to nearly 270,000 trucks over the last two years. And this isn’t some precautionary move—metal debris left in the engine during assembly is causing sudden and catastrophic failure, a previous attempt to stop it didn’t work, and so far Toyota has had to replace tens of thousands of engines for free. So today, it’s Toyota’s reliability crisis—how it ended up here, what’s really happening beyond the headlines, and what might be next. Stories mentioned in today's episode: Toyota Turbo V6 Recall Campaign Grows to Include More Than 250,000 Trucks [https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-turbo-v6-recall-campaign-grows-to-include-more-than-250000-trucks] We Finally Know Why the Toyota Tundra V6 Keeps Self-Destructing [https://www.thedrive.com/news/we-finally-know-why-the-toyota-tundra-v6-keeps-self-destructing] ‘Total BS’: Engine Teardown Specialist Says Toyota’s Explanation for V6 Failures Doesn’t Make Sense [https://www.thedrive.com/news/total-bs-engine-teardown-specialist-says-toyotas-explanation-for-v6-failures-doesnt-make-sense] Toyota Will Replace Over 100,000 V6 Engines in Recalled Tundras, Lexus SUVs [https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-will-replace-over-100000-v6-engines-in-recalled-tundras-lexus-suvs] Toyota Recalls Another 127,000 Tundras and Lexus SUVs Over Self-Destructing Turbo V6s [https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-recalls-another-127000-tundras-and-lexus-suvs-over-self-destructing-turbo-v6s] Is Toyota’s New Twin-Turbo V6 Really Less Reliable Than Its Old V8s? [https://www.thedrive.com/news/a-deep-look-inside-the-twin-turbo-v6-that-replaced-toyotas-v8s] Toyota Dealers Brace to Replace 100,000 Tundra V6s [https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-dealers-brace-to-replace-100000-tundra-v6s] 00:00 Intro 06:07 How did we get here? 09:40 What's happening? 18:26 Where do we go from here? 25:51 What do you tell potential buyers? 30:06 The competition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Stellantis Has Big Plans. Tim Kuniskis Told Us Almost Everything

Stellantis has been rocked. The automaker built its current foundation upon loud noises and fast times at the drag strip all while making loud boom boom noises thanks to the Hemi and a legendary Hellcat V8 powertrain. Then the party ended. It was late to the electric game, many of its EVs didn’t even launch and were just DOA from the get go, SRT was mothballed, and things just looked bleak, again. Stellantis says there’s hope, and even a plan. This week, The Drive's Director of Content and Product, Joel Feder, is joined by The Father of the Hellcats, but his official titles include Ram CEO, Head of American Brands for Stellantis, and Head of SRT, Tim Kuniskis. From Cooperhead and Scrambler to the the return of the Rumble Bee with a Hellcat powertrain and the Ramcharger nameplate, Kuniskis dissects it all with Feder. So, today, it’s behind-the-scenes on Stellantis' turnaround plan and what comes next. Stories mentioned in today's episode: Stellantis Announces Huge Turnaround Plan, 60 new Vehicles and 50 Refreshes by 2030 [https://www.thedrive.com/news/stellantis-announces-huge-turnaround-plan-60-new-vehicles-and-50-refreshes-by-2030] 2027 Ram SRT Rumble Bee Revealed as a Shorty Street Truck With 777-HP V8 [https://www.thedrive.com/news/ram-launches-trio-of-v8-rumble-bee-street-trucks-and-yes-theres-a-hellcat] Dodge Has a New Completely Unhinged Halo Car Coming and It’s Not Called the Viper [https://www.thedrive.com/news/dodge-has-a-new-completely-unhinged-halo-car-coming-and-its-not-called-the-viper] Jeep Is Building a Wrangler Scrambler SRT With Removable Roof, Backward-Facing Rear Seats and Probably a V8 [https://www.thedrive.com/news/jeep-is-building-a-wrangler-scrambler-srt-with-removable-roof-backward-facing-rear-seats-and-probably-a-v8] Stellantis Promises Dodge Dealers New Small SUV, Refreshed Durango, and More SRT [https://www.thedrive.com/news/stellantis-promises-dodge-dealers-new-small-suv-refreshed-durango-and-more-srt] Can Chrysler Be More Than a Minivan Brand? It’s Betting Three New SUVs Under $40,000 Can Prove It [https://www.thedrive.com/news/can-chrysler-be-more-than-a-minivan-brand-its-betting-three-new-suvs-under-40000-can-prove-it] Ram Is Bringing Back the Dakota and a New Compact Truck Both Under $40,000 [https://www.thedrive.com/news/ram-is-bringing-back-the-dakota-and-a-new-compact-truck-both-under-40000] Stellantis Is Launching 9 New Vehicles Under $40,000 [https://www.thedrive.com/news/stellantis-is-launching-9-new-vehicles-under-40000] Ramcharger SUV Name ‘A Pretty Obvious Guess’ Says Ram CEO [https://www.thedrive.com/news/ramcharger-suv-name-a-pretty-obvious-guess-says-ram-ceo] The New Dodge Charger SRT Has a Wing Straight Out of the Superbird Era and It Looks Ready to Fly [https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-new-dodge-charger-srt-has-a-wing-straight-out-of-the-superbird-era-and-it-looks-ready-to-fly] 00:00 Intro 04:59 Copperhead 09:21 Viper 11:57 Scrambler 16:13 Jeep 22:33 Recon 23:49 Ramcharger 26:52 SRT 30:37 GLH/Hornet 33:01 Chrysler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Your OBDII app might have put you on a federal list

Years ago EZ Lynk was in the news for its products, how they were being used, and what they were enabling consumers to do with their vehicles. Now, five years later, the book has been opened, again, and the department of justice is looking at how EZ Lynk enabled customers in modifying their vehicles in a way that violated laws. This time? The DOJ is targeting consumers and their data, which is a whole new set of issues. So today, it’s The Drive's Director Of Content And Product Joel Feder and Senior Editor Caleb Jacobs discussing EZ Lynk, the DOJ, diesel defeat devices, and the Pandora's box that is being opened. Stories mentioned in today's episode: DOJ Orders Apple, Google to Hand Over OBDII App User Data in Emissions Probe [https://www.thedrive.com/news/doj-orders-apple-google-to-hand-over-obdii-app-user-data-in-emissions-probe] US Government Sues Diesel Truck Tuner EZ Lynk Over Emissions Defeat Devices [https://www.thedrive.com/news/39676/us-government-sues-diesel-truck-tuner-ez-lynk-over-emissions-defeat-devices] Fast Times and Million-Dollar Fines: Inside the EPA’s Messy War on Dirty Diesel Trucks [https://www.thedrive.com/news/inside-the-epas-messy-war-on-dirty-diesel-trucks] Trump Administration Guts Framework Behind U.S. Auto Emissions Regulations [https://www.thedrive.com/news/trump-administration-guts-framework-behind-u-s-auto-emissions-regulations] Emissions Defeat Devices No Longer a Top Priority for EPA [https://www.thedrive.com/news/emissions-defeat-devices-no-longer-a-top-priority-for-epa] Feds Won’t Pursue Criminal Charges Against Tuners for OBDII Tampering Anymore [https://www.thedrive.com/news/feds-wont-pursue-criminal-charges-against-tuners-for-obdii-tampering-anymore] Previously Imprisoned Diesel Tuner Receives Federal Pardon [https://www.thedrive.com/news/previously-imprisoned-diesel-tuner-receives-federal-pardon] 00:00 Intro 01:33 About last week 05:25 History and how we got here today 08:20 EZ Lynk 09:38 Consumer privacy 13:02 The scale of the situation 14:13 From President Joe Biden to President Donald Trump 17:43 What comes next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why Porsche is about to copy... Hyundai??

Believe it or not but one automaker is about to copy another’s idea—and neither are who you’d expect. Porsche is an unquestioned leader in the world of performance cars, and its careful treatment of the 911, Cayman, and Boxster is often imitated, never duplicated. But now? It’s about to steal a controversial move from an unlikely source— Hyundai—as it tries to figure out the magic formula for a fun-to-drive electric car. What a world. So today, it’s The Drive's Editor-In-Chief Kyle Cheromcha and Director Of Content And Product Joel Feder discussing fun versus electric cars: how a company like Porsche ends up copying Hyundai, what the various tricks automakers are trying means for the next generation of EVs, and why this all matters more than you’d think. Stories mentioned in today's episode: Porsche Is Adding Fake Gear Shifts to Its EVs, 2027 Taycan Will Be First: Exclusive [https://www.thedrive.com/news/porsche-is-adding-fake-gear-shifts-to-its-evs-2027-taycan-will-be-first-exclusive] Future Porsche EVs in frame for Hyundai-like simulated gearboxes [https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/future-porsche-evs-frame-hyundai-simulated-gearboxes] Porsche Says It ‘Learned a Lot’ From the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: TDS [https://www.thedrive.com/news/porsche-says-it-learned-a-lot-from-the-hyundai-ioniq-5-n-tds] 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Review: A Racing Sim You Can Drive on the Road [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2025-hyundai-ioniq-5-n-review-a-racing-sim-you-can-drive-on-the-road] 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Preview Drive: More Fun Than Most Sports Cars [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2026-hyundai-ioniq-6-n-quick-review] Fake Gears, Real Fun: A Pro Driver Makes the Case for EV Gimmicks [https://www.thedrive.com/news/fake-gears-real-fun-a-pro-driver-makes-the-case-for-ev-gimmicks] 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V First Drive Review: Succeeding Where Mercedes Failed [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2026-cadillac-lyriq-v-first-drive-review-succeeding-where-mercedes-failed] 2026 Rivian R1T Quad First Drive Review: When Too Much Is Just Enough [https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2026-rivian-r1t-quad-review] Rivian’s RAD Tuner Is Like An Equalizer For Your EV’s Powertrain [https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivians-rad-tuner-is-like-an-equalizer-for-your-evs-powertrain] 00:00 Intro 06:49 Porsche is about to copy Hyundai's fake gear shifts in EVs 08:47 What is a virtual transmission for an EV? 17:06 The Dodge Charger Daytona 22:28 Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz 24:12 A limit to the efficacy of these systems 25:02 Hyundai Ioniq 6 n 27:23 Maserati 30:54 Rivian 32:32 Lucid 35:26 Legacy vs. startup automakers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]